Effect of a new De-N-acetyl-lysoglycosphingolipid on chemically-induced inflammatory bowel disease: possible mechanism of action

Summary A new, orally active de-N-acetylated lysoglycosphingolipid (WILD20) was evaluated as antiinflammatory agent using a model of chemically-induced inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in the rat to mimic human ulcerative colitis and Chron's disease. IBD was induced by hapten trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid (TNB). WILD20, orally administered as preventive or curative, was demonstrated to be efficacious at daily dosages of 0.1–1 mg/kg for 4–5 days. Damage scores, body weight, spleen weight, colonic tissular levels of LTB₄, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) are influenced and brought into parameters of normality.Histological observation demonstrated quicker healing, better repair, reduced inflammation, and poor eosinophil degranulation.The mechanisms underlying WILD20 antinflammatory effects were investigated: whereas WILD20 fails to show a direct effect on PKC, it reduces PKC translocation to the membrane; cellular PLA₂ was consequently greatly reduced through this mechanism and thought to be responsible for WILD20 efficacy towards chemically-induced IBD.Correspondence to: E. Tubaro at the above address