THE EFFECT OF SULFASALAZINE AND 5-AMINOSALICYLIC ACID ON THE SECRETION OF INTERLEUKIN 8 BY HUMAN COLON MYOFIBROBLASTS.

Sulfasalazine (SAS) and its therapeutically active derivative--5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) are used in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. 5-ASA mechanism of action on the one hand, involves the inhibition of the cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase activity, and thus decrease of synthesis of prostaglandins, leukotrienes and free radicals, on the other hand, the suppression of the immune response in the intestinal mucosa. Myofibroblasts, which are located just below the basement membrane, are important element of the mucosa. Due to its secretory activity they may interact with other cells, including epithelial cells. Examining SAS and 5-ASA cytotoxic properties on human normal, colon subepithelial myofibroblasts (CSEMF) it was found that the first of these compounds in a concentration of 1 mM significantly reduced the number of these cells as compared to the control, while the latter exhibited an action at the 5-fold higher concentration (5 mM). Moreover, SAS concentration greater than 0.25 mM reduced IL-8 secretion by CSEMF, and 5-ASA had no effect in the tested range of concentrations, i.e., up to 7.5 mM.