Disease modifying effect of statins in dextran sulfate sodium model of mouse colitis

Abstract.

Objective:

We evaluated the disease modifying effect of simvastatin and atorvastatin in Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS) model of colitis.

Materials and methods:

Thirty, 8-week old female Swiss-Webster mice were separated into 5 groups (n = 6/group). Colitis was induced by feeding 4 % DSS solution for 7 days. Following discontinuation of DSS, over the next 7 days, the groups orally received simvastatin (20 mg/kg/day), atorvastatin (60 mg/kg/day), vehicle only (0.75 % methylcellulose), subcutaneous 30 μg injections of anti-TNFα monoclonal antibody or intraperitoneal anti-mouse apolipoprotein A-I antibody respectively. Disease activity Index (DAI) was determined daily by a blinded investigator.

Results:

The mean reduction in DAI scores from day 7 to day 14 for anti-TNFα group, simvastatin and atorvastatin group were 74 %, 76 % and 64 %, respectively as compared to 41 % reduction in vehicle and anti-apolipoprotein A-I antibodytreated groups.

Conclusions:

This finding suggests that statins may have the ability to modify the disease activity in the DSS model of colitis and the disease modifying effect is comparable to anti-mouse TNFα treatment in this model.