Antidepressants can treat inflammatory bowel disease through regulation of the nuclear factor-κB/nitric oxide pathway and inhibition of cytokine production: A hypothesis |
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Authors: | Hamid Reza Rahimi Mahdi Shiri Ali Razmi |
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Institution: | Hamid Reza Rahimi, Mahdi Shiri, Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1417933331, Iran;Ali Razmi, Pharmacology and Applied Medicine Department of Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, Karaj 131451446, Iran |
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Abstract: | Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of inflammatory disorders mainly affecting the colon and small intestine. The main types of IBD are Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). UC is restricted to the large intestine whereas CD can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Treating this disorder depends on the form and level of severity. Common treatment involves an anti-inflammatory drug, such as mesalazine, and an immunosuppressant, such as prednisone. Several signaling pathways, including nuclear factor (NF)-κB and nitric oxide (NO), and genetic and environmental factors are believed to play an important role in IBD. Amitriptyline is a commonly used antidepressant with known anti-inflammatory activities. Amitriptyline also acts on the NF-κB/NO pathway or cytokine production. Therefore, we hypothesize that antidepressants like amitriptyline can be pioneered and considered effective as an innovative and effective therapeutic in the treatment and attenuation of development of IBD in adjusted doses. |
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Keywords: | Inflammatory bowel disease Crohn’ s disease Antidepressant Nuclear factor-κ B Nitric oxide |
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