Development of new antioxidant treatment for ulcerative colitis based on intestinal and brain symptom relief

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K15949
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 53010:Gastroenterology-related
• Research Institution: Osaka University
• Principal Investigator: Koyama Yoshihisa 大阪大学, 大学院医学系研究科, 助教 (40397667)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 潰瘍性大腸炎 / 酸化ストレス / 水素 / 活性硫黄 / 神経症状

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an idiopathic intractable, in which ulcers and erosions develop in the mucous membrane of the colon and become chronic with repeated remissions and relapses. Since the neurological symptoms associated with the pathology are a major factor in relapses, there is a need for the development of radical drugs that are effective in alleviating symptoms in both the gut and the brain. Since oxidative stress is involved in pathology, antioxidants can be effective therapeutic agents.
Silicon (Si)-based agent react with water to generate a large amount of hydrogen, which is an antioxidant, continuously. Through the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of hydrogen and active sulfur, a bio-antioxidant, Si-based agent improved the neurological symptoms (abnormal stress coping, etc.) as well as the pathology (diarrhea, etc.) in UC mouse models. It was suggested that Si-based agent may be effective therapeutic agents to break the vicious cycle of remission and relapse.

Free Research Field

神経形態学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

潰瘍性大腸炎は潰瘍性大腸炎の患者数は国内で22万人以上に上り、世界では日本はアメリカに次いで2番目に多い国となる。原因不明、難治性疾患のため根本治療がないため、治療薬の開発は急を要する。シリコン製剤による治療は生体内を抗酸化物質で常に満たしておくことによって炎症部位も含めた全身をケアするという画期的な抗酸化治療である。また、これまでの報告で水素は副作用がないことから、シリコン製剤は高齢者や妊婦さんなどにも処方できる可能性が高い。それゆえ、シリコン製剤は老若男女全ての患者さんに対応可能な、再燃を抑え寛解を維持できる新たな治療薬候補として潰瘍性大腸炎の治療に貢献できることが期待される。