en Gastrointestinal Physiology/Pharmacology Gastrointestinal Physiology/Pharmacology Experimental research article Experimental research article <p><span style="line-height:1.5;"><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><strong>Introduction: </strong>Intestinal colitis, also known as ulcerative colitis, is an inflammatory bowel disease characterized by long-term inflammation and ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract. It has been suggested that the mucosal expression of angiotensin II (AT-II) is increased in colitis. This study aimed to examine the potential therapeutic effects of combination therapy with Enalapril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, and sulfasalazine (SSZ) in a murine colitis model.<br /> <strong>Methods:</strong> Male C57BL/6 mice were divided into five groups: control group (distilled water), dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) group (colitis group) (1% DSS), SSZ group (positive control group) with 100 mg/kg/day, Enalapril alone group with 4 mg/kg/day, and Enalapril (4 mg/kg/day) + SSZ (100 mg/kg/day) group.<br /> <strong>Results: </strong>There was a significant reduction in the disease activity index among the mice receiving the combination of Enalapril and SSZ compared to the colitis group. Enalapril and SSZ treatment was associated with a lower reduction in colon length, decreased colon weight, spleen weight, and spleen-to-body weight in mice with colitis. Following DSS administration, Enalapril and SSZ also significantly decreased MDA levels, an oxidant marker, and increased total thiol, SOD, and CAT levels, as antioxidants. Additionally, mucosal damage, crypt loss, pathological changes, and inflammation scores decreased after treatment with Enalapril and SSZ in comparison with the colitis group. The combination of Enalapril and SSZ reduced colon collagen content and caused a decrease in fibrosis compared to the colitis group.<br /> <strong>Conclusion: </strong>The results of this study indicated that Enalapril alone and in combination with SSZ decreased inflammation and clinical symptoms of colitis induced by DSS.</span></span></span></p> Colitis, Angiotensin-converting, Enzyme inhibitor, Enalapril, Inflammation 169 179 http://ppj.phypha.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-1946-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Asma Mostafapour MostafapourA@mums.ac.ir 3200319475328460035745 0000000183372827 No Department of Biology, Mashhad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran Fereshteh Asgharzadeh asgharzadehf4001@mums.ac.ir 3200319475328460035746 0000000283493722 No Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Seyedeh Elnaz Nazari Nazarie971@mums.ac.ir 3200319475328460035747 0000000344710162 No Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Moein Eskandari EskandariM981@mums.ac.ir 3200319475328460035748 0000000212900300 No Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Niloufar Naghibzadeh Naghibzadehn971@mums.ac.ir 3200319475328460035749 0000000295040747 No Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Javad baharara bahararaj961@gmail.com 3200319475328460035750 0000000290977880 No Department of Biology & Research Center for Animal Development Applied Biology, Mashhad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran Amir Avan Avana@mums.ac.ir 3200319475328460035751 0000000249680962 No Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Seyed Mahdi Hassanian HasanianMehrM@mums.ac.ir 3200319475328460035752 0000000252474043 No Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Majid Khazaei khazaeimaj@gmail.com 3200319475328460035753 0000000279795699 Yes Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran