Search | Search by Center | Search by Source | Keywords in Title
Nunes NS, Chandran P, Sundby M, Visioli F, da Costa Gonçalves F, Burks SR, Paz AH, Frank JA. Therapeutic ultrasound attenuates DSS-induced colitis through the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway. EBioMedicine. 2019 Jul 1; 45:495-510.
BACKGROUND: Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is an Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) characterized by uncontrolled immune response, diarrhoea, weight loss and bloody stools, where sustained remission is not currently achievable. Dextran Sulphate Sodium (DSS)-induced colitis is an animal model that closely mimics human UC. Ultrasound (US) has been shown to prevent experimental acute kidney injury through vagus nerve (VN) stimulation and activation of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway (CAIP). Since IBD patients may present dysfunctional VN activity, our aim was to determine the effects of therapeutic ultrasound (TUS) in DSS-induced colitis. METHODS: Acute colitis was induced by 2% DSS in drinking water for 7?days and TUS was administered to the abdominal area for 7?min/day from days 4-10. Clinical symptoms were analysed, and biological samples were collected for proteomics, macroscopic and microscopic analysis, flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. FINDINGS: TUS attenuated colitis by reducing clinical scores, colon shortening and histological damage, inducing proteomic tolerogenic response in the gut during the injury phase and early recovery of experimental colitis. TUS did not improve clinical and pathological outcomes in splenectomised mice, while a7nAChR (a7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor - indicator of CAIP involvement) knockout animals presented with disease worsening. Increased levels of colonic F4/80a7nAChR macrophages in wild type mice suggest CAIP activation. INTERPRETATION: These results indicate TUS improved DSS-induced colitis through stimulation of the splenic nerve along with possible contribution by VN with CAIP activation. FUND: Intramural Research Programs of the Clinical Centre, the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering at the NIH and CAPES/Brazil.