Melatonin Reduces Inflammatory Injury Through Inhibiting NF-κB Activation in Rats With Colitis

Proinflammatory mediators are important in the pathogenesis of IBD, which are regulated by activation of NF-κB. The aim of this study was to investigate whether melatonin reduces inflammatory injury and inhibits proinflammatory molecule and NF-κB in rats with colitis. Rat colitis model was established by TNBS enema. NF-κB p65, TNF-α, ICAM-1, and IκBαin colon tissue were examined by immunohistochemistry, EMSA, RT-PCR, and Western blot analysis. Expression of proinflammatory molecule and activation of NF-κB were upregulated and IκB level decreased in rats with colitis. Melatonin reduces colonic inflammatory injury through downregulating proinflammatory molecule mediated by NF-κB inhibition and blockade of IκBα degradation.