Exclusive enteral nutrition protects against inflammatory bowel disease by inhibiting NF-κB activation through regulation of the p38/MSK1 pathway

Although enteral nutrition therapy for inflammatory bowel disease has been confirmed to be an effective treatment method, the exact mechanism responsible for the effects of enteral nutrition remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) against colitis, and to elucidate the potential mechanisms by inhibiting p65 activation via regulating the p38/mitogen- and stress-activated protein kinase-1 (MSK1) pathway. Experiments were performed by establishing dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-mice colitis and picrylsulfonic acid solution (TNBS)-induced rat colitis, and the results demonstrated that EEN treatment attenuated body weight loss, colon length shortening and colonic pathological damage caused by colitis. EEN also inhibited inflammatory cells infiltration and decreased myeloperoxidase and inducible nitric oxide synthase activities. Furthermore, EEN significantly reduced the production of pro-inflammatory mediators in serum and the colon. Mechanically, EEN suppressed activation of p65 by inhibiting the p38/MSK1 pathway. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that EEN attenuated DSS- and TNBS-induced colitis by inhibiting p65 activation via regulating the p38/MSK1 pathway, thus suggesting that EEN is effective in the treatment of colitis.