Objective To evaluate the preventive and therapeutic effects of heparin on dextron sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis
in mice. Methods The normal mice (n=16) which had been received DSS orally for 7 days were randomized into two groups, the preventive group with heparin
subcutaneous administration, and the control group with normal saline subcutaneous administration. The DSS-induced colitis mice (n=16) were randomized into two groups, the treatment group with heparin and the control group with normal saline subcutaneous injection for 7 days. The preventive and therapeutic effects of heparin were assessed by disease activity index (DAI), histological score, TNF-α mRNA expression using hybridization in situ, and Martius scarlet blue (MSB) fibrin staining used to identify
microvascular thrombi. Results Microvascular thrombi in the prevention group significantly decreased compared with those in the controls. Microvascular thrombi were positive in 4 of 8 controls, none in the prevention group (P=0.038). Histological score and TNF-α mRNA in the treatment group significantly decreased compared with those in the controls. Histological score of rectum and transverse colon, and expression of TNF-α mRNA in the treatment group and those in the controls were 1.33 and 1.85(P< 0.05), 0.92 and 1.68 (P<0.05), and (10.8±4.2)% and ( 5.5± 3.5)%(P< 0.05) respectively.Conclusions Heparin effectively inhibits microvascular thrombosis and the colonic and rectal inflammation in the mice DSS-induced colitis in mice. These experimental results suggest that heparin might also be used effectively in ulcerative colitis.