ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the long term effect of nicotine on oxazolone (OXZ) induced murine colitis models pathologically and analyse the cytokine profile produced by colonic mucosa and splenocytes. Methods BALB/c mice was used, colitis model was induced by intrarectal injection of oxazolone; nicotine (0.5 mg?kg -1 ?d -1 ) was injected subcutaneously for three weeks. After being sacrificed, the colon and spleen were removed. Colonic changes were examined pathologically. The IFN ? and IL4 produced by colonic mucosa and splenocytes was analyzed with ELISA. The intracellular IFN ? and IL 4 produced by splenocytes were tested by FACScan. Results In nicotine group, the histological score was significantly lower than that of OXZ group (19.8 vs 23.7, P