Diallyl trisulfide inhibits tumor necrosis factor-α expression in inflammed mucosa of ulcerative colitis

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of diallyl trisulfide (DATS) on tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha expression in inflammed mucosa of ulcerative colitis and its possible mechanism. Colonic biopsies from ulcerative colitis were treated with 0, 1, 5, and 10 mu M DATS for 24 hr. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities and concentrations of TNF-alpha in supernatants were measured. mRNA expressions of TNF-alpha in biopsies were analyzed by RT-PCR. The expression of NF-kappa B P65 in tissues was studied by immunohistochemistry. Concentrations of TNF-alpha in supernatants of biopsies treated with 5 and 10 mu M DATS were lower than those of untreated biopsies. There were fewer lamina propria mononuclear cells whose NF-kappa B P65 expression in nuclei was positive, and less mRNA expression of TNF-alpha in biopsies treated with 10 mu M DATS than in untreated biopsies. There were no differences in LDH activities in supernatants between tissues treated with DATS and untreated tissues. DATS could downregulate TNF-alpha production and inhibit NF-kappa B activation in lamina propria mononuclear cells of inflammed mucosa, without any effect on the viability of colonic tussue cells.