2018 Volume 71 Issue 5 Pages 237-241
Accumulation of oxidative stress in the colonic mucosa is intrinsically associated with the onset of colorectal cancer and inflammatory bowel disease, suggesting that activation of the anti-oxidation system is important for prevention of these diseases. In the present study, we demonstrated that up-regulation of heme oxygenase-1 expression in macrophages located in the colonic lamina propria was an effective strategy for suppression of intestinal inflammation. We then investigated the therapeutic effect of agaro-oligosaccharides (AGO) , which are products of agarose hydrolysis, using an experimental murine model of colitis. AGO administration was found to markedly attenuate intestinal inflammation in these mice through induction of heme oxygenase-1 expression, and this was associated with significant suppression of neutrophil accumulation and TNF-α spexpression. Furthermore, heme oxygenase-1 induction in macrophages was able to drive a shift in phenotype to anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages. Taken together, the present results suggest that heme oxygenase-1 induction in macrophages located in the colonic lamina propria might be an additional strategy for prevention and treatment of intestinal inflammation.
