Inhibition of neutrophil elastase prevents the development of murine dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis

Abstract
Neutrophil elastase (NE) is a major secretory product from activated neutrophils and a major contributor to tissue destruction. However, little is known about the pathogenic contribution of NE to ulcerative colitis (UC). This study was designed to investigate the contribution of NE by measuring NE activity in plasma and colonic mucosal tissue from UC patients and a murine acute colitis model, and to elucidate the therapeutic effect of the NE-specific inhibitor ONO-5046.