International Journal of Molecular Sciences

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Dr. Rocco Spagnuolo

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Experimental and Clinical Medicine Department, Magna Graecia University, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Interests: inflammatory bowel disease; non alcoholic fatty liver disease; patient reported outcomes; anti-TF-alpha therapy; liver disease; irritable bowel syndrome
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Dr. Daniela Pugliese

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1. IBD UNIT, CEMAD Centro Malattie dell'Apparato Digerente, Medicina Interna e Gastroenterologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Gemelli IRCCS, Roma, Italy
2. Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia Traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy
Interests: inflammatory bowel disease
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) encompassing two major forms, Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), are immune-mediated disorders with a complex genetic background and involve constantly changing endogenous and environmental factors.

The comprehension of molecular actors, and the implementation of multi-omics technologies, as well as the pivotal role of the gut microbiome, are compelling the research community to reevaluate the knowledge and molecular processes. As our comprehension of the pathogenic mechanisms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) increases, the therapeutic armamentarium for its treatment can expand, and novel target therapies join the treatment pipeline.

In the present Research Topic, we encourage experienced colleagues to submit original research articles, case studies, and review articles regarding molecular and/or metabolic features in order to identify novel biomarkers, and novel diagnostic tools for detection and monitoring, to improve the medical treatment of UC and CD, to manage concomitant extra-intestinal manifestations and to identify novel therapeutics approaches.

Dr. Rocco Spagnuolo
Dr. Daniela Pugliese
Guest Editors

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Keywords

intestinal barrier function
gut microbiota
inflammation
bacterial metabolites
immunological pathways
biomarkers and predictors
nutrients
cytokines

Published Papers (1 paper)

Research

18 pages, 6844 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Intrarectal Administration of Adelmidrol plus Hyaluronic Acid Gel Ameliorates Experimental Colitis in Mice and Inhibits Pro-Inflammatory Response in Ex Vivo Cultured Biopsies Derived from Ulcerative Colitis-Affected Patients

by Irene Palenca, Luisa Seguella, Aurora Zilli, Silvia Basili Franzin, Alessandro Del Re, Federico Pepi, Anna Troiani, Marcella Pesce, Sara Rurgo, Fatima Domenica Elisa De Palma, Gaetano Luglio, Francesca Paola Tropeano, Giovanni Sarnelli and Giuseppe Esposito

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(1), 165; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25010165 - 21 Dec 2023

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Abstract

Improving clinical outcomes and delaying disease recrudescence in Ulcerative Colitis (UC) patients is crucial for clinicians. In addition to traditional and new pharmacological therapies that utilize biological drugs, the development of medical devices that can ameliorate UC and facilitate the remission phase should not be overlooked. Drug-based therapy requires time to be personalized and to evaluate the benefit/risk ratio. However, the increasing number of diagnosed UC cases worldwide necessitates the exploration of new strategies to enhance clinical outcomes. By incorporating medical devices alongside pharmacological treatments, clinicians can provide additional support to UC patients, potentially improving their condition and slowing down the recurrence of symptoms. Chemically identified as an azelaic acid derivative and palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) analog, adelmidrol is a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compound. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of an intrarectal administration of 2% adelmidrol (Ade) and 0.1% hyaluronic acid (HA) gel formulation in both the acute and resolution phase of a mouse model of colitis induced via DNBS enema. We also investigated its activity in cultured human colon biopsies isolated from UC patients in the remission phase at follow-up when exposed in vitro to a cytomix challenge. Simultaneously, with its capacity to effectively alleviate chronic painful inflammatory cystitis when administered intravesically to urological patients such as Vessilen, the intrarectal administration of Ade/HA gel has shown remarkable potential in improving the course of colitis. This treatment approach has demonstrated a reduction in the histological damage score and an increase in the expression of ZO-1 and occludin tight junctions in both in vivo studies and human specimens. By acting independently on endogenous PEA levels and without any noticeable systemic absorption, the effectiveness of Ade/HA gel is reliant on a local antioxidant mechanism that functions as a “barrier effect” in the inflamed gut. Building on the findings of this preliminary study, we are confident that the Ade/HA gel medical device holds promise as a valuable adjunct in supporting traditional anti-UC therapies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inflammatory Bowel Disease’s Journey: From Metabolism and Immunity to New Therapeutic Horizons)

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