Pentasa

The mice were randomly divided into four groups: control (H₂O) n = 3, DSS n = 4, DSS + GED n = 5, and DSS + 5ASA n = 4. Chronic colitis and fibrosis were induced in mice by oral administration of 2.5% (w/v) DSS (MW: 36,000–44,000, purchased from TdB Consultancy, Uppsala, Sweden), solubilized in autoclaved tap water and administered ad libitum for three cycles (5 days DSS, followed by 7 days of tap water). The control group received only tap water. GED-0507-34 Levo (Nogra Pharma Ltd., Dublin, Ireland), a selective agonist of PPAR-γ, was dissolved in a solution containing 0.5% Carboxymethylcellulose sodium salt (Sigma-Aldrich, Darmstadt, Germany) and 1% Tween 80, administrated by oral gavage (100 μL/mouse), at a dose of 30 mg/Kg/day. The 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) (Pentasa, Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Gentilly, France), the most common anti-inflammatory drug used in IBD treatment, was mixed with standard chows and was administrated daily at a dose of 150 mg/kg. All drugs were administrated at the beginning of the second cycle of DSS (day 12).

The mesalazine used for this study was a licensed slow release granule formulation of 2 g (PENTASA, Ferring Pharmaceuticals) and a matching placebo granule formulation (QPharma AS, Sweden). In order to maintain blinding, active and placebo granules were packed in matching, unidentified, trial-specific foil sachets (Ferring Pharmaceuticals). Newcastle Specials at Newcastle-upon-Tyne Hospital National Health Service Foundation Trust carried out final labelling and release of blinded trial treatment packs. All sites involved had appropriate licences in place.