Wengrower, D., Department of Gastroenterology, Hadassah University Hospital, Hebrew University Medical School, 91120 Jerusalem, Israel
Zannineli, G., Department of Gastroenterology, Hadassah University Hospital, Hebrew University Medical School, 91120 Jerusalem, Israel, Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
Pappo, O., Pathology Division, Hadassah University Hospital, Hebrew University Medical School, 91120 Jerusalem, Israel
Latella, G., Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
Sestieri, M., Department of Gastroenterology, Hadassah University Hospital, Hebrew University Medical School, 91120 Jerusalem, Israel
Villanova, A., Department of Gastroenterology, Hadassah University Hospital, Hebrew University Medical School, 91120 Jerusalem, Israel
Faitelson, Y., The Lautenberg Center of Immunology, Hadassah University Hospital, Hebrew University Medical School, 91120 Jerusalem, Israel
Pines, M., The Volcani Center Bet Dagan Israel, Israel
Goldin, E., Department of Gastroenterology, Hadassah University Hospital, Hebrew University Medical School, 91120 Jerusalem, Israel
Zannineli, G., Department of Gastroenterology, Hadassah University Hospital, Hebrew University Medical School, 91120 Jerusalem, Israel, Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
Pappo, O., Pathology Division, Hadassah University Hospital, Hebrew University Medical School, 91120 Jerusalem, Israel
Latella, G., Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy
Sestieri, M., Department of Gastroenterology, Hadassah University Hospital, Hebrew University Medical School, 91120 Jerusalem, Israel
Villanova, A., Department of Gastroenterology, Hadassah University Hospital, Hebrew University Medical School, 91120 Jerusalem, Israel
Faitelson, Y., The Lautenberg Center of Immunology, Hadassah University Hospital, Hebrew University Medical School, 91120 Jerusalem, Israel
Pines, M., The Volcani Center Bet Dagan Israel, Israel
Goldin, E., Department of Gastroenterology, Hadassah University Hospital, Hebrew University Medical School, 91120 Jerusalem, Israel
Background & Aims: There is a body of evidence to suggest that the local activation of angiotensin II (ANG II) plays a pivotal role in fibrogenic response involving the kidney, heart, lung, pancreas and liver. In such conditions, fibrosis is mediated, at least partially, through ANG II induction of the cytokine transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1). Both ANG II and TGF-β1 also seem to be involved in intestinal fibrosis and stenosis, particularly in Crohn's disease. The aim of the present study was, firstly, to determine the effects of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, captopril, on colonic fibrosis in experimental colitis in rats and, secondly, to check the role of TGF-β1 on these effects. Methods: Colitis was induced in rats by intracolonic administration of TNBS. Colonic fibrosis was assessed 21 days later by macroscopic and microscopic evaluation. Levels of collagen α1 gene expression, hydroxyproline, angiotensin II and TGF-β1 proteins, and TGF-β1 mRNA were measured on the colonic tissue. Results: In chronic colitis, captopril significantly reduced the score of macroscopic and histologic lesions, as well as the colonic tissue levels of collagen α1, hydroxyproline, ANG II and TGF-β 1 proteins, and TGF-β1 mRNA. Conclusions: These data demonstrate for the first time that the prophylactic administration of captopril is effective in preventing colonic fibrosis in TNBS-induced colitis. The antifibrotic action of captopril could be due to the blockade of TGFβ-1 overexpression, and/or to a direct down-regulation of TGFβ-1 transcript. Copyright © 2004 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
