A new therapy against ulcerative colitis via the intestine and brain using the Si-based agent.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a non-specific inflammatory bowel disease that causes ulcers and erosions in the colonic mucosa and becomes chronic with cycles of amelioration and exacerbation. Because its exact etiology remains largely unclear, and the primary therapy is limited to symptomatic treatment, the development of new therapeutic agent for UC is highly desired. Because one of the disease pathogenesis is involvement of oxidative stress, it is likely that an appropriate antioxidant will be an effective therapeutic agent for UC. Our silicon (Si)-based agent, when ingested, allowed for stable and persistent generation of massive amounts of hydrogen in the gastrointestinal tract. We demonstrated the Si-based agent alleviated the mental symptom as well as the gastrointestinal symptoms, inflammation, and oxidation associated with dextran sodium sulfate-induced UC model through Hydrogen and antioxidant sulfur compounds. As the Si-based agent was effective in treating UC in the brain and large intestine of mice, it was considered to be capable of suppressing exacerbations and sustaining remission of UC.