Glial-derived neurotrophic factor regulates intestinal epithelial barrier function and inflammation and is therapeutic for murine colitis.

Although enteric glial cells (EGCs) have been demonstrated to play a key role in maintaining intestinal epithelial barrier integrity, it is not known how EGCs regulate this integrity. We therefore hypothesized that glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) produced by EGCs might be involved in this regulation. Here we investigated the role of GDNF in regulating epithelial barrier function in vivo.

Tetrandrine ameliorates dextran-sulfate-sodium-induced colitis in mice through inhibition of nuclear factor -kappaB activation.

Background: Activation of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB has been shown to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC), and tetrandrine, a bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid isolated from the Chinese herb Radix Stephania tetrandra, has been demonstrated to be a potent inhibitor of NF-kappaB activation. The purpose of the study was to investigate effects of tetrandrine on experimental model of UC.

Materials And Methods: Tetrandrine was administered in experimental colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS).