5-ASA decreases colonic sulfide formation: implications for ulcerative colitis.

Abstract

Experimental evidence suggests that anionic sulfide (SH-) may be implicated in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis. Sulfides are formed in the colon by sulfate-reducing bacteria acting on sulfate or sulfur amino acids. Experiments were designed to test whether the most useful drug for ulcerative colitis, 5-aminosalicylic acid (5ASA) or salicylazosulfapyridine (SASP) could suppress sulfide formation from sulfur amino acids by anaerobic bacteria grown in batch culture. Neither 5-ASA or SASP altered acetate formation, a universal indicator of fermentation. Both agents very significantly reduced sulfide formation by anaerobic bacteria of the human colon grown in batch culture. Such an action of 5-ASA/SASP may reduce the injurious action of sulfide on the colonie epithelial cell barrier of the colon and help to prevent attacks of colitis. Keywords: 5-aminosalicylic acid, colon, sulfides, ulcerative colitis, fermentation.