Effect of Etiasa on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and tumor necrosis factor-α in a rat model of ulcerative colitis

The aim of this study was to determine the disease activity index (DAI) and the colonic mucosa damage index (CMDI), and to detect the colonic mucosal expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-alpha) in rats with ulcerative colitis (UC). We also aimed to investigate the protective role of Etiasa in UC. Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into three groups: the control, an Etiasa-treated group and a UC model group. Rats were sacrificed on days 14, 21, 35 or 56 following the administration of treatment by enema and the DAI, CMDI and colonic expression levels of MMP-2 and TNF-alpha were assessed. In the UC model group, the DAI and CDMI scores and the colonic expression levels of MMP-2 and TNF-alpha increased significantly compared with the control at all timepoints, and were also significantly higher than those in the Etiasa-treated group. In conclusion, the expression levels of MMP-2 and TNF-alpha increased significantly in rats with UC. Etiasa reduces colonic mucosal damage by downregulating the expression of MMP-2 and TNF-alpha.