Abstract: AIM: To investigate DNA-binding activity of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) anti-inflammation effect and mechanism in trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced acute colitis in rats.METHODS: Acute colitis was induced by instilling TNBS ethanol into the lumen of the rat colon.Rats were randomized into PDTC-treat group (including group P10, P25, P50, P100), TNBS ethanol group and normal control group.The rats in PDTC-treated group were injected intraperitoneally with PDTC at the dosages of 10, 25, 50, and 100 mg·kg^-1, respectively.Rats were killed at 4 h after enema.Colonic inflammation, the ratio of wet dry weight andMPO, SOD, andMDA activity were detected.DNA-binding activity of NF-κB was assessed by EMSA.RESULTS: NF-κB activity in colon homogenate was increased markedly at acute colitis in rats.PDTC attenuates the development of rat colonic inflammation but not by reducing the NF-κB activity.CONCLUSION: NF-κB is activated in rats with acute colitis, which may be a mechanism of self-protection. PDTC can attenuate the development of inflammation.

Key words: rats, model, nuclear factor, colitis, trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid