In these models, they delay the healing of gastric ulcers and worsen inflammation in the colon. These findings suggest that COX-2 has a protective role as well. Mice lacking COX-2 are more severely affected. Furthermore, when we treated mice who are genetically susceptible to colitis with COX-inhibitors, this treatment exacerbated colitis. New Ligands on the Block To find an anti-inflammatory drug that may work in people with IBD without causing gastrointestinal side effects, researchers are investigating very specific components of the inflammatory process in the intestine.
Ligands are molecules that can attach to receptors, and affect their activities.
They worked with the ligands known as 15d-PGJ2 and rosiglitazone. The researchers moved on to study these ligands in animal models. Fifteen patients with mild to moderate active ulcerative colitis completed the study. Thirteen of these people were on 5-ASA and either prednisone or immunosuppressants, yet still had symptoms, indicating the unresponsive nature of their disease. Patients received 4 mg of rosiglitazone twice a day for 12 weeks.