Current overview of opioids in progression of inflammatory bowel disease; pharmacological and clinical considerations

Effect of chronic administration of magnesium supplement (magnesium glycinate) on male albino wistar rats' intestinal (Ileum) motility, body weight changes, food and water intake

Recent researches suggests magnesium as an adjuvant medication for COVID 19 patients. Magnesium relaxes skeletal muscles, an effect when prolonged in intestinal smooth muscles can cause severe discomfort such as bloating, vomiting, constipation and nausea. The objectives of this study was to ascertain if magnesium will cause relaxation of the intestinal (ileum) smooth muscles as it does in skeletal muscles. Also, this research seeks to find out the receptor pathway through which magnesium will alter motility in the gut using acetylcholine, atropine and propranolol. Ten male albino wistar rats (100-150 g) were randomly assigned into two groups (control and magnesium treated) (n = 5). Animals were acclimatized for two weeks before treatment which lasted for 6 weeks. Magnesium treated animals received oral magnesium glycinate (1600 mg/70 kg) daily while control group receive normal saline of equal volume. All animals had free access to food and water ad libitum. Results were analyzed at statistical level of P < 0.05. Body weight changes, food and water intake were not statistically significant. Basal contractions of ileum in magnesium treated group were significantly lower compared to control group. Propranolol significantly increased the percentage relaxation in magnesium treated group compared to the control. Atropine significantly decrease the percentage relaxation in magnesium treated group compared to the control. Higher doses of acetylcholine (10-5 and 10-4) increased the contractions in magnesium treated group. Conclusively, magnesium decreases motility of the intestine through beta adrenergic receptor pathway. Intake of magnesium for long period should be closely monitored to avoid the discomforting symptoms earlier stated.

IDO/Kynurenine; novel insight for treatment of inflammatory diseases

Inflammation and oxidative stress play pivotal roles in pathogenesis of many diseases including cancer, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, neurological diseases, and inflammatory diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Inflammatory mediators such as interleukins (ILs), interferons (INF-s), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α are related to an extended chance of inflammatory diseases initiation or progression due to the over expression of the nuclear factor Kappa B (NF-κB), signal transducer of activators of transcription (STAT), nod-like receptor family protein 3 (NLRP), toll-like receptors (TLR), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathways. These pathways are completely interconnected. Theindoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase (IDO) subset of the kynurenine (KYN) (IDO/KYN), is a metabolic inflammatory pathway involved in production of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD + ). It has been shown that IDO/KYN actively participates in inflammatory processes and can increase the secretion of cytokines that provoke inflammatory diseases. Data were extracted from clinical and animal studies published in English between 1990-April 2022, which were collected from PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Cochrane library. IDO/KYN is completely associated with inflammatory-related pathways, thus leading to the production of cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, and ultimately development and progression of various inflammatory disorders. Inhibition of the IDO/KYN pathway might be a novel therapeutic option for inflammatory diseases. Herein, we gathered data on probable interactions of the IDO/KYN pathway with induction of some inflammatory diseases.

A comprehensive insight into the anti-inflammatory properties of dapsone

The 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl sulfone (DDS), also known as dapsone, is traditionally used as a potent anti-bacterial agent in clinical management of leprosy. For decades, dapsone has been among the first-line medications used in multidrug treatment of leprosy recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Shortly after dapsone's discovery as an antibiotic in 1937, the dual function of dapsone (anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory) was elucidated. Dapsone exerts its anti-bacterial effects by inhibiting dihydrofolic acid synthesis, leading to inhibition of bacterial growth, while its anti-inflammatory properties are triggered by inhibiting reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, reducing the effect of eosinophil peroxidase on mast cells and downregulating neutrophil-mediated inflammatory responses. Among the leading mechanisms associated with its anti-microbial/anti-protozoal effects, dapsone clearly has multiple antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic functions. In this regard, it has been described in treating a wide variety of inflammatory and infectious skin conditions. Previous reports have explored different molecular targets for dapsone and provided insight into the anti-inflammatory mechanism of dapsone. This article reviews several basic, experimental, and clinical approaches on anti-inflammatory effect of dapsone.

Buspirone Ameliorates Colon Inflammation in TNBS-Induced Rat Acute Colitis: The Involvement of TLR4/NF-kB Pathway

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an inflammatory situation involving the whole digestive system. This illness includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. According to scientific research, the immune system plays an essential part in developing this disease. Recently, buspirone has been discovered to have anti-inflammatory properties. As a result, this research aims to see if buspirone provides anti-inflammatory effects in a rat model of TNBS-induced colitis. Control, TNBS, dexamethasone (2 mg/kg), and buspirone (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg) were randomly given to six groups of 36 male Wistar rats. Colitis was induced by intrarectal instillation of TNBS in all research groups except the control group, and rats were meliorated with dexamethasone and buspirone. Macroscopic and microscopic lesions appeared after colitis induction, while therapy with dexamethasone and buspirone significantly improved the lesions. TLR4 and pNF-κB expression were also enhanced during colitis induction. On the other hand, the administration of dexamethasone or buspirone resulted in a considerable reduction in their expression. Tissue TNF-α and MPO activity were enhanced after induction of colitis in terms of biochemical variables; however, administration of dexamethasone or buspirone reduced TNF-α and MPO activity. Eventually, in an animal model of severe colitis, buspirone displayed anti-inflammatory characteristics via lowering the TLR4/NF-ĸB signaling pathway's activity in an animal model of acute colitis.

Transmembrane serine protease 2 and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 anti-inflammatory receptors for COVID-19/inflammatory bowel diseases treatment

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) refer to a subgroup of chronic, progressive, long-term, and relapsing inflammatory disorders. IBD may spontaneously grow in the colon, and in severe cases may result in tumor lesions such as invasive carcinoma in inflamed regions of the intestine. Recent epidemiological reports indicate that old age and underlying diseases such as IBD contribute to severity and mortality in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Currently, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic caused serious morbidity and mortality worldwide. It has also been shown that the transmembrane serine protease 2 is an essential factor for viral activation and viral engulfment. Generally, viral entry causes a 'cytokine storm' that induces excessive generation of proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines including interleukin (IL)-6, IL-2, IL-7, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interferon-γ. Future research could concentrate on developing inflammatory immunological responses that are efficient to encounter COVID-19. Current analysis elucidates the role of inflammation and immune responses during IBD infection with COVID-19 and provides a list of possible targets for IBD-regulated therapies in particular. Data from clinical, in vitro, and in vivo studies were collected in English from PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and the Cochrane library until May 2021.