Skip to main content
Log in

Modulation of human colonic arachidonic acid metabolism by sulfasalazine

  • Original Articles
  • Published:
Digestive Diseases and Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The effects of sulfasalazine and its moieties on synthesis of individual products of arachidonic acid metabolism by human colonic mucosa have been investigated. Sulfasalazine inhibited synthesis of the lipoxygenase products. Sulfasalazine and sulfapyridine also inhibited synthesis of thromboxane B2 while enhancing synthesis of prostaglandin (PG) F or PGE2, respectively. Inhibition of synthesis of lipoxygenase products and modulation of the profile of cyclooxygenase products could reduce inflammation and enhance mucosal resistance to damage in ulcerative colitis.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Smith PR, Dawson DJ, Swan CHJ: Prostaglandin synthetase activity in active ulcerative colitis: Effects of treatment with sulfasalazine, codeine phosphate and prednisolone. Gut 20:802–805, 1978

    Google Scholar 

  2. Ligumsky M, Karmeli F, Sharon P, Zor U, Cohen F, Rachmilewitz PD: Enhanced thromboxane A2 and prostacyclin production by cultured rectal mucosa in ulcerative colitis and its inhibition by steroids and sulphasalazine. Gastroenterology 81:444–449, 1981

    Google Scholar 

  3. Gilat T, Ratan J, Rosen P, Peled Y: Prostaglandins and ulcerative colitis. Gastroenterology 76:1083, 1979

    Google Scholar 

  4. Rampton DS, Sladen GE: Prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors in ulcerative colitis. Flurbiprofen compared with conventional treatment. Prostaglandins 21:417–425, 1981

    Google Scholar 

  5. Samuelsson B: Leukotrienes: Mediators of immediate hypersensitivity reactions and inflammation. Science 220:568–575, 1983

    Google Scholar 

  6. Palmer RMJ, Stepney R, Higgs GA, Eakins KE: Chemokinetic activity of arachidonic acid lipoxygenase products on leukocytes from different species. Prostaglandins 20:411–418, 1980

    Google Scholar 

  7. Ford-Hutchinson AW, Bray MA, Doig MV, Shipley ME, Smith MJH: Leukotriene B4, a potent chemokinetic and aggregating substance released from polymorphonuclear leucocytes. Nature 286:264–265, 1980

    Google Scholar 

  8. Bennet A, Hensby CN, Sanger GJ, Stamford IF: Metabolites of arachidonic acid formed by human gastrointestinal tissue and their actions on the muscle layers. Br J Pharmacol 74:435–444, 1981

    Google Scholar 

  9. Boughton-Smith NK, Hawkey CJ, Whittle BJR: The biosynthesis of lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase products from [14C]arachidonic acid by human colonic mucosa. Gut 24:1176–1182, 1983

    Google Scholar 

  10. Sharon P, Stenson WF: Enhanced synthesis of leukotriene B4 by colonic mucosa in inflammatory bowel disease. Gastroenterology 86:453–460, 1984

    Google Scholar 

  11. Boughton-Smith NK, Hawkey CJ, Whittle BJR: Sulphasalazine and the inhibition of thromboxane synthesis in human colonic mucosa. Br J Pharmacol 80:605P, 1983

    Google Scholar 

  12. Peppercorn MA, Goldman P: Distribution studies of salicylazosulfapyridine and its metabolites. Gastroenterology 64:240–245, 1973

    Google Scholar 

  13. Azad Khan AK, Truelove SC, Aronson JK: The disposition and metabolism of sulphasalazine (salicylazosulphapyridine) in man. Br J Clin Pharmacol 13:532–538, 1982

    Google Scholar 

  14. Sircar JC, Schwender CF, Carethers ME: Inhibition of soybean lipoxygenase by sulfasalazine and 5-aminosalicylic acid: a possible mode of action in ulcerative colitis. Biochem Pharmacol 32:170–172, 1983

    Google Scholar 

  15. Stenson WF, Lobos E: Sulfasalazine inhibits the synthesis of chemotactic lipids by neutrophils. J Clin Invest 69:494–497, 1982

    Google Scholar 

  16. Molin L, Stendohl O: The effects of sulfasalazine and its active components on human polymorphonuclear leukocyte function in relation to ulcerative colitis. Acta Med Scand 206:451–457, 1979

    Google Scholar 

  17. Rhodes JM, Bartholomew TC, Jewell DP: Inhibition of leucocyte motility by drugs used in ulcerative colitis. Gut 22:642–647, 1982

    Google Scholar 

  18. Stenson WF, Lobos E: Inhibition of platelet thromboxane synthetase by sulfasalazine. Biochem Pharmacol 32(14):2205–2209, 1983

    Google Scholar 

  19. Rachmilewitz D, Ligumsky M, Haimaritz A, Treves A: Prostanoid synthesis by cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells in inflammatory disease of the bowel. Gastroenterology 82:673–679, 1982

    Google Scholar 

  20. Rask Madsen J, Bukhave K: Prostaglandins and chronic diarrhoea: Clinical aspects. Scand J Gastroenterol 14(Suppl 53):73–78, 1979

    Google Scholar 

  21. Whittle BJR, Vane JR: Prostacyclin, thromboxanes and prostaglandins—actions and roles in the gastrointestinal tract.In Progress in Gastroenterology, Vol 4. GB Jerzy-Glass, P Sherlock (eds). 1983, pp 3–29

  22. Robert A, Nezamis JE, Lancaster C, Hanchar AJ: Cytoprotection by prostaglandins in rats—prevention of gastric necrosis produced by alcohol, HCl, NaOH, hypertonic NaCl and thermal injury. Gastroenterology 77:433–443, 1979

    Google Scholar 

  23. Miller TA, Jacobson ED: Gastrointestinal cytoprotection by prostaglandins. Gut 20:75–87, 1979

    Google Scholar 

  24. Hoult JRS, Moore PK: Sulphasalazine, a potent inhibitor of prostaglandin 15-hydroxydehydrogenase: Possible basis for therapeutic action in ulcerative colitis. Br J Pharmacol 64:6–8, 1978

    Google Scholar 

  25. Hoult JRS, Page H: 5-Aminosalicylic acid, a cofactor for colonic prostacyclin synthesis? Lancet 2:225, 1981

    Google Scholar 

  26. Whittle BJR, Moncada S: The pharmacological interactions between prostacyclin and thromboxanes. Br Med Bull 39:232–238, 1983

    Google Scholar 

  27. Lefer AM, Ogletree ML, Smith JB, Silver MJ, Nicolaou KC, Barnette WE, Gasic GP: Prostacyclin: A potentially valuable agent for preserving myocardial tissue in acute myocardial ischemia. Science 200:52–54, 1978

    Google Scholar 

  28. Stachura J, Tarnawski A, Ivey K, Mach T, Bogdal J, Szczudrawa J, Klimczyk B: Prostaglandin protection of carbon tetrachloride-induced liver cell necrosis in the rat. Gastroenterology 81:211–217, 1981

    Google Scholar 

  29. Whittle BJR, Kauffman GL, Moncada S: Vasoconstriction and thromboxane A2 induces ulceration of the gastric mucosa. Nature 292:472–474, 1980

    Google Scholar 

  30. Azad Khan AK, Piris J, Truelove SC: An experiment to determine the active therapeutic moiety of sulphasalazine. Lancet 2:892–895, 1977

    Google Scholar 

  31. Dew MJ, Harries AD, Evans N, Evans BK, Rhodes J: Maintenance of remission in ulcerative colitis with 5-aminosalicylic acid in high doses by mouth. Br Med J 287:23–24, 1983

    Google Scholar 

  32. Baron JH, Connel AM, Lennard-Jones JE, Avery Jones F: Sulphasalazine and salicylazosulfadimidine in ulcerative colitis. Lancet 1:1094–1096, 1962

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hawkey, C.J., Boughton-Smith, N.K. & Whittle, B.J.R. Modulation of human colonic arachidonic acid metabolism by sulfasalazine. Digest Dis Sci 30, 1161–1165 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01314051

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01314051

Keywords

Navigation