中性粒细胞弹性蛋白酶在小鼠实验性结肠炎中的表达及意义

目的：观察中性粒细胞弹性蛋白酶（NE）在葡聚糖硫酸钠（DSS）诱导的小鼠实验性结肠炎中的表达情况并探讨其表达的意义。方法：健康雄性BALB/c小鼠随机分为正常对照组、模型组。模型组小鼠予5%DSS溶液自由饮用制备小鼠急性实验性结肠炎模型,正常对照组小鼠予蒸馏水自由饮用。每日观察小鼠的一般状况及疾病活动指数（DAI）评分,于实验第5、9天分批处死小鼠,取小鼠结肠行组织学损伤评分;ELISA法检测小鼠血浆中性粒细胞弹性蛋白酶浓度;Western blot法检测远端结肠组织中NE蛋白的表达。结果：与正常对照组相比,模型组小鼠在实验第5天及第9天DAI评分显著升高（P〈0.001）、结肠组织学损伤评分明显升高（P〈0.01）、血浆NE浓度明显升高（P〈0.01）、远端结肠NE蛋白表达增加显著（P〈0.001）。在实验第5天及第9天,模型组小鼠DAI评分与组织学损伤评分呈显著正相关（P〈0.05）,血浆中NE浓度及结肠中NE蛋白的表达与DAI评分、组织学评分均呈显著正相关（P〈0.05）。结论：NE在实验性结肠炎小鼠血浆及结肠组织中表达明显增加,且与疾病活动指数及组织学评分呈正相关,提示NE可能参与实验性结肠炎小鼠的发病。     

Disturbances in epithelial ionic secretion in different experimental models of colitis

This paper studies the disturbances in ionic secretion in the colon of rats with different models of acute and chronic colitis measured as changes in short-circuit current. The aim was to verify whether the reported inhibition of basal and stimulated secretion in the trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid and mytomicin C models are applicable to experimental colitis as such. All models showed remarkable similarity in ion transport as determined in Ussing chambers, with downregulated basal as well as carbachol evoked secretion. The EC(50) of carbachol was unchanged in all cases. Iodoacetamide and oxazolone colitis models were notable exceptions in that the dose response curves for carbachol were unaltered compared to controls. The reason is unclear but seems to be unrelated to either interferon gamma or interleukin 4 levels or to the severity of the inflammatory response.     

Part II: beneficial effects of the peroxynitrite decomposition catalyst FP15 in murine models of arthritis and colitis

BACKGROUND: Peroxynitrite is a reactive oxidant species produced from nitric oxide and superoxide, which has been indirectly implicated in the pathogenesis of many inflammatory conditions including arthritis and colitis. Here, using a novel peroxynitrite decomposition catalyst, FP15, we directly investigate the role of peroxynitrite in the pathogenesis of arthritis and colitis in rodent models. METHODS: Arthritis was induced in mice by intradermal collagen injection; incidence and severity of arthritis was monitored using a macroscopic scoring system. At the end of the experiment paws were taken for determination of neutrophil infiltration (myeloperoxidase [MPO] activity), oxidative stress (malondialdehyde [MDA] level), and cytokine/chemokine levels. Colitis was induced in mice by 5% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) in their drinking water. Colitis symptoms were assessed 10 days later, the parameters determined included body weight, rectal bleeding, colon length, colonic MPO and MDA levels, and colon histologic damage. RESULTS: Treatment with FP15 significantly reduced the inflammation and oxidative stress in arthritis and colitis. FP15 reduced both the incidence and severity of arthritis in mice and this was associated with reduced paw MPO and MDA levels. Similarly, in colitis, FP15 reduced colon damage, and this was associated with reduced colon neutrophil infiltration and oxidative stress. CONCLUSIONS:The protective effect of FP15 suggests that peroxynitrite plays a significant pathogenetic role in arthritis and colitis in the currently employed rodent models. Further work is needed to determine whether neutralization of peroxynitrite also represents a promising strategy to treat human inflammatory diseases such as arthritis and colitis.     

Benefit of nicorandil using an immunologic murine model of experimental colitis

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory condition with an unknown etiology. Nicorandil, a potassium channel opener, has been used for many years for the treatment of angina. Recently, it has been shown that nicorandil possesses some novel traits such as anti-apoptotic, gastroprotective, free radical scavenging, and anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, we set out to examine the possible beneficial effect of nicorandil in a rat model of IBD. Colitis was induced by rectal administration of 2,4,6-trintrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS) into rats. Groups of animals used in this study were sham, control, and exposure to dexamethasone, nicorandil, glibenclamid (a pure adenosine triphosphate sensitive potassium channel (KATP) blocker), or nicorandil plus glibenclamid. Drugs were administered by gavage and animals were sacrificed after 7 days. Biochemical markers, including TNF-α and IL-1β, ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP), myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and thiobarbitoric acid-reactive substance (TBARS), were measured in the homogenate of colonic tissue. Results indicate that nicorandil significantly reduces macroscopic and histological damage induced by TNBS. Nicorandil diminishes MPO activity and levels of TBARS, TNF-∢, and IL-1β in damaged colonic tissue with a concomitant increase in FRAP value (P<0.01). These effects were not reversed by coadministration of glibenclamide. In conclusion, nicorandil is able to ameliorate experimental IBD with a dose in which it does not show any anti-hypertensive effect, and the mechanism of which is partially or totally independent from KATP channels. It is hypothesized that nitric oxide donation and free-radical scavenging properties of nicorandil upregulate endothelial nitric oxide synthase may be responsible for this phenomenon. These findings suggest that nicorandil can be useful in treatment of IBD, although further investigations are needed to elucidate the mechanisms involved.     

Lack of transketolase-like (TKTL) 1 aggravates murine experimental colitis

Transketolase-like (TKTL) 1 indirectly replenishes NADPH preventing damage induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) formed upon intestinal inflammation. We investigated the function of TKTL1 during murine colitis and ROS detoxification for prevention of tissue damage. Mucosal damage in TKTL1(-/-) and wild-type (WT) mice was assessed by miniendoscopy and histology during dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) colitis. mRNA levels of interferon (IFN)-γ, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), transketolase (TKT), and TKTL2 were determined by PCR and/or Western blotting. To assess oxidative and nitrosative stress nitrosylation, carbonylation and antioxidative enzymes catalase (Cat), superoxide dismutase 1 and 2, as well as glutathione (GSH) were determined. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) was determined for assessment of tissue neutrophils. TKTL1 knockout or DSS treatment did not influence TKT and TKTL2 mRNA or protein expression. Mucosal damage was significantly increased in TKTL1(-/-) mice indicated by miniendoscopy as well as a significantly shorter colon and more severe histological scores compared with WT mice during DSS colitis. This was associated with higher mRNA levels of IFN-γ, iNOS, IL-6, and TNF. In addition, iNOS protein expression was significantly enhanced in TKTL1(-/-) mice as well as MPO activity. Protein modification by nitric oxide (nitrotyrosine) was induced in TKTL1(-/-) mice. However, introduction of carbonyl groups by ROS was not induced in these mice. The expression of SOD1, SOD2, Cat, as well as GSH content was not significantly changed in TKTL1(-/-) mice. We conclude that induced colitis in TKTL1(-/-) mice was more severe compared with WT. This indicates a role of TKTL1 during mucosal repair and restoration.     

A synthetic TLR4 antagonist has anti-inflammatory effects in two murine models of inflammatory bowel disease

Current evidence indicates that the chronic inflammation observed in the intestines of patients with inflammatory bowel disease is due to an aberrant immune response to enteric flora. We have developed a lipid A-mimetic, CRX-526, which has antagonistic activity for TLR4 and can block the interaction of LPS with the immune system. CRX-526 can prevent the expression of proinflammatory genes stimulated by LPS in vitro. This antagonist activity of CRX-526 is directly related to its structure, particularly secondary fatty acyl chain length. In vivo, CRX-526 treatment blocks the ability of LPS to induce TNF-alpha release. Importantly, treatment with CRX-526 inhibits the development of moderate-to-severe disease in two mouse models of colonic inflammation: the dextran sodium sulfate model and multidrug resistance gene 1a-deficient mice. By blocking the interaction between enteric bacteria and the innate immune system, CRX-526 may be an effective therapeutic molecule for inflammatory bowel disease.     

Behavioral effects of sinomenine in murine models of anxiety

The present study was designed to investigate the putative anxiolytic-like effect of sinomenine in three experimental models of anxiety in male rats and mice. Use of the elevated plus-maze test revealed that sinomenine (20 and 40 mg/kg, p.o.) increased the percentage of open arm entries and diazepam (2 mg/kg, p.o.) increased the percentage of open arm entries, the percentage of time spent on open arms and total arm entries in mice. In the light/dark transition test, sinomenine (20 and 40 mg/kg, p.o.) increased time spent in the light area and diazepam (2 mg/kg, p.o.) increased time spent in the light area and the overall movements in mice. In the social interaction test, the sinomenine-treated animals significantly increased social interaction time in low light unfamiliar (7 mg/kg, p.o.) and high light unfamiliar conditions (7 and 14 mg/kg, p.o.) as well as diazepam (3 mg/kg, p.o.). Sinomenine (28 mg/kg, p.o.) can also decrease squares entered in rats in social interaction test under low light unfamiliar condition. In the open-field test, sinomenine (160 mg/kg) decreased squares entered in mice. Thus, these findings indicated that sinomenine exhibited anxiolytic-like effect.     

Anti‐inflammatory effects of eriocitrin against the dextran sulfate sodium–induced experimental colitis in murine model

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a continual ailment condition which engrosses the entire alimentary canal. The IBD can be primarily distinguished into two forms, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn's disease. The major symptoms of IBD include pustules or abscesses, severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, fistula, and stenosis, which may directly affect the patient's quality of life. A variety of mediators can stimulate the circumstances of IBD, some examples include infections by microbes such as bacteria, perturbation of the immune system and the surrounding environment of the intestines. Severe colitis was stimulated in the experimental animals through administering 4% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) which is mixed in water ad libitum for 6 days. Eriocitrin (30 mg/kg) was then administered to the experimental animals followed by the induction of severe colitis to evaluate the therapeutic prospective of eriocitrin against the colon inflammation stimulated by DSS. In this study, eriocitrin (30 mg/kg) demonstrated significant (P < .05) attenuation activity against the DSS‐stimulated severe colitis in experimental animals. Eriocitrin counteracted all of the clinical deleterious effects induced by DSS, such as body‐weight loss, colon shortening, histopathological injury, accretion of infiltrated inflammatory cells at the inflamed region and the secretion of inflammatory cytokines. The results clearly showed that eriocitrin effectively attenuated DSS‐induced acute colitis in experimental animals.     

Endotoxin translocation in two models of experimental acute pancreatitis

To test the hypothesis that endotoxin is absorbed from the gut into the circulation in rats with experimental acute pancreatitis we studied two different animal models. In the first model necrotizing pancreatitis was induced by the ligation of the disatl bilio-pancreatic duct while in the second, experimental oedematous acute pancreatitis was induced by subcutaneous injections of caerulein. In both experiments, in the colon of rats with acute pancreatitis endotoxin from Salmonella abortus equi was injected. Endotoxin was detected by immunohistochemistry in peripheral organs with specific antibodies. The endotoxin was found only in rats with both acute pancreatitis and endotoxin injected into the colon and not in the control groups. The distribution of endotoxin in liver at 3 and 5 days was predominantly at hepatocytes level around terminal hepatic venules, while in lung a scattered diffuse pattern at the level of alveolar macrophages was identified. A positive staining was observed after 12 hours in the liver, lung, colon and mesenteric lymph nodes of rats with both caerulein pancreatitis and endotoxin injected into the colon. We conclude that the experimental acute pancreatitis leads to early endotoxin translocation from the gut lumen in the intestinal wall and consequent access of gut-derived endotoxin to the mesenteric lymph nodes, liver and lung.     

Chronic effects of alcohol on the epithelium of the small intestine using two experimental models

The effects of chronic alcohol ingestion on the rat small intestinal epithelium have been measured using two different experimental models, viz. either a solid diet plus alcohol or a liquid diet plus alcohol. All experimental animals consumed adequate quantities of food and exhibited a normal growth rate; thus the recorded effects were unlikely to be associated with malnutrition. After a period of 24 days, there were significant decreases in the jejunal villus cell population in both groups of experimental animals and corresponding increases in the crypt cell populations; no such changes were found in the ileum. Alcohol had no significant effect on the crypt cell production rate and the growth fraction at either of these two sites in the intestine, and thus the major effect of alcohol was to cause a lengthening of the cell cycle time in the jejunal crypts.     

Modulating effect of Hesperidin on experimental murine colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium

Hesperidin, a flavanone-type flavonoid, is abundant in citrus fruit and has a wide range of pharmacological effects. Here we investigated the effect of Hesperidin on dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced experimental ulcerative colitis in mice. Sulfasalazine (positive control) and Hesperidin in doses of 10, 40 and 80 mg/kg were administered orally once a day for 7 days, beginning concurrently with exposure to DSS. The symptom of ulcerative colitis was evaluated by disease activity index (DAI) and the wet weight of colon. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) content and the levels of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in serum were measured to observe the possible mechanisms. Oral administration of Hesperidin significantly decreased DAI, MPO activity, MDA content and the level of IL-6 in serum (p<0.01), while there was no significantly effect on the level of IL-4 in serum. These results demonstrate that Hesperidin can ameliorate DSS-induced experimental colitis, and may be useful in the prevention and treatment of colitis.     

Central effects of selective NK1 and NK3 tachykinin receptor agonists on two models of experimentally-induced colitis in rats

Peripheral tachykinins (TKs) are believed to play a role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). In this study we investigated changes induced by central administration of two natural TK receptor agonists, NK(1) (PG-SPI) and NK(3) (PG-KII), on trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS)- and dextran sodium sulphate (DSS)-induced experimental colitis in rats. Colitis was induced by instilling a single intracolonic dose of TNBS 50 mgkg(-1) (0.5 ml in 50% ethanol) or by oral administration of 5% DSS for 7 days. Each group of rats was intracerebroventricularly injected daily with PG-SPI and PG-KII (0.5, 5, and 50 microgkg(-1)). On day 3, TNBS-treated animals were killed and the severity of gut inflammation was evaluated by measuring myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) production and by scoring macroscopic and histologic colonic damage. DSS-treated animals were checked daily for the length of survival and for stool consistency and faecal blood. In the TNBS group, PG-SPI and PG-KII increased scores for the severity of colonic damage, stimulated the production of IL-1beta and increased granulocyte infiltration into the colon (MPO activity). In the DSS group, PG-SPI and PG-KII decreased the percentage of surviving animals, and increased the number of rats that developed loose stools and blood in the faeces and the MPO activity. These results indicate that centrally injected NK(1) and NK(3) tachykinin receptor agonists play a proinflammatory role in experimentally-induced colitis in rats.     

Protective effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus [corrected] and Bifidobacterium infantis in murine models for colitis do not involve the vagus nerve

The vagus nerve is an important pathway signaling immune activation of the gastrointestinal tract to the brain. Probiotics are live organisms that may engage signaling pathways of the brain-gut axis to modulate inflammation. The protective effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus [corrected] (LR) and Bifidobacterium infantis (BI) during intestinal inflammation were studied after subdiaphragmatic vagotomy in acute dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) colitis in BALB/c mice and chronic colitis induced by transfer of CD4(+) CD62L(+) T lymphocytes from BALB/c into SCID mice. LR and BI (1 x 10(9)) were given daily. Clinical score, myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels, and in vivo and in vitro secreted inflammatory cytokine levels were found to be more severe in mice that were vagotomized compared with sham-operated animals. LR in the acute DSS model was effective in decreasing the MPO and cytokine levels in the tissue in sham and vagotomized mice. BI had a strong downregulatory effect on secreted in vitro cytokine levels and had a greater anti-inflammatory effect in vagotomized- compared with sham-operated mice. Both LR and BI retained anti-inflammatory effects in vagotomized mice. In SCID mice, vagotomy did not enhance inflammation, but BI was more effective in vagotomized mice than shams. Taken together, the intact vagus has a protective role in acute DSS-induced colitis in mice but not in the chronic T cell transfer model of colitis. Furthermore, LR and BI do not seem to engage their protective effects via this cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway, but the results interestingly show that, in the T cell, transfer model vagotomy had a biological effect, since it increased the effectiveness of the BI in downregulation of colonic inflammation.     

An angiotensin II receptor antagonist reduces inflammatory parameters in two models of colitis

Little is known about the effects of the pro-inflammatory hormone Angiotensin II (Ang II) in inflammatory bowel disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of valsartan (Diovan), an Ang II receptor antagonist, in two models of colitis. METHODS: Colitis was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by administration of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS; 30 mg in 50% ETOH i.c.) or 5% Dextran Sulphate Sodium (DSS) in drinking water ad libitum for 5 days. Valsartan was administered orally in drinking water (160 mg/L) during thirty days prior to the induction of the colitis, and for 5 days after. All animals were evaluated for weight change, diarrhea, myeloperoxidase activity, macroscopic and microscopic damage. Cytokine levels in the colon were measured by ELISA, real-time RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: In the TNBS model, valsartan reduced the macroscopic damage score, significantly decreased the microscopic damage (p<0.01), and accelerated weight gain after colitis. In the DSS-colitis model, valsartan-treated animals had less diarrhea and microscopic damage. Valsartan reduced the protein levels of TGFbeta (p<0.05), and IL-18 in the TNBS model, and led to over expression of IL-10 mRNA in the DSS model. CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate a possible anti-inflammatory effect for valsartan in colitis.     

Immunoblockade of PSGL-1 attenuates established experimental murine colitis by reduction of leukocyte rolling

Recruitment of circulating leukocytes into the colonic tissue is a key feature of intestinal inflammation. P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) and very late antigen-4 (VLA-4) are expressed on leukocytes and play an important role in leukocyte-endothelial cell adhesive interactions. We examined the effects of immunoneutralization of PSGL-1 and VLA-4 on leukocyte recruitment in vivo in the development and treatment of experimental colitis. Chronic colitis was induced in balb/c mice by oral administration of dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). Monoclonal antibodies 2PH1 (anti-PSGL-1) and PS/2 (anti-VLA-4) or the combination of both were injected intravenously, and leukocyte adhesion was observed for 60 min in colonic submucosal venules by intravital microscopy (IVM) under isoflurane/N(2)O anesthesia. In addition, mice with established colitis were treated by daily intraperitoneal injections of 2PH1, PS/2, or the combination of both over 5 days. Disease activity index (DAI), histology, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels were compared with sham-treated DSS controls. We found that 2PH1 reduced the number of rolling leukocytes (148.7 +/- 29.8 vs. 36.9 +/- 8.7/0.01 mm(2)/30 s, P < 0.05), whereas leukocyte velocity was increased (24.0 +/- 3.6 vs. 127.8 +/- 11.7 microm/s, P < 0.05). PS/2 reduced leukocyte rolling to a lesser extent. Leukocyte firm adhesion was not influenced by 2PH1 but was strongly reduced by PS/2 (24.1 +/- 2 vs. 4.4 +/- 0.9/0.01 mm(2)/30 s, P < 0.05). Combined application did not cause additional effects on leukocyte adhesion. Treatment of chronic colitis with 2PH1 or PS/2 reduced DAI, mucosal injury, and MPO levels significantly. Combined treatment led to a significantly better reduction of DAI (0.4 +/- 0.1 vs. 2.1 +/- 0.2 points) and histology (9.7 +/- 0.9 vs. 21.4 +/- 4.6 points). In conclusion, PSGL-1 and VLA-4 play an important role for leukocyte recruitment during intestinal inflammation. Therapeutic strategies designed to disrupt interactions mediated by PSGL-1 and/or VLA-4 may prove beneficial in treatment of chronic colitis.     

Antiviral effects of antisense morpholino oligomers in murine coronavirus infection models

The recent emergence of novel pathogenic human and animal coronaviruses has highlighted the need for antiviral therapies that are effective against a spectrum of these viruses. We have used several strains of murine hepatitis virus (MHV) in cell culture and in vivo in mouse models to investigate the antiviral characteristics of peptide-conjugated antisense phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (P-PMOs). Ten P-PMOs directed against various target sites in the viral genome were tested in cell culture, and one of these (5TERM), which was complementary to the 5' terminus of the genomic RNA, was effective against six strains of MHV. Further studies were carried out with various arginine-rich peptides conjugated to the 5TERM PMO sequence in order to evaluate efficacy and toxicity and thereby select candidates for in vivo testing. In uninfected mice, prolonged P-PMO treatment did not result in weight loss or detectable histopathologic changes. 5TERM P-PMO treatment reduced viral titers in target organs and protected mice against virus-induced tissue damage. Prophylactic 5TERM P-PMO treatment decreased the amount of weight loss associated with infection under most experimental conditions. Treatment also prolonged survival in two lethal challenge models. In some cases of high-dose viral inoculation followed by delayed treatment, 5TERM P-PMO treatment was not protective and increased morbidity in the treated group, suggesting that P-PMO may cause toxic effects in diseased mice that were not apparent in the uninfected animals. However, the strong antiviral effect observed suggests that with further development, P-PMO may provide an effective therapeutic approach against a broad range of coronavirus infections.     

Low-dose estrogen therapy ameliorates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in two different inbred mouse strains

It has been proposed that homeostatic levels of estrogen can enhance female susceptibility to autoimmunity, whereas the heightened levels of estrogen associated with pregnancy are protective. This hypothesis was tested using the mouse model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Diestrus (<100 pg/ml in serum) levels of 17beta-estradiol were found to significantly reduce the clinical manifestations of active EAE in both male and female mice. Estriol was also effective but at doses below those previously established for pregnancy. The reduction in disease severity was accompanied by a coincident reduction in the number and size of inflammatory foci in the CNS of estrogen (17beta-estradiol or estriol)-treated mice. Recipients of encephalitogenic T cells from low-dose estrogen-treated mice developed less severe paralysis than mice receiving T cells from placebo-treated mice. A modest shift in Th1/Th2 balance suggested that low dose estrogen therapy could bias the immune reaction toward a protective anti-inflammatory cytokine response. However, estrogen treatment at the onset of active EAE failed to reduce disease severity, a result that is consistent with the hypothesis that naive cells are more sensitive to sex hormones than differentiated effector cells. These data suggest that treatment with low doses of estrogen can reduce the capacity of developing myelin-reactive T cells to initiate disease and challenges the idea that increased susceptibility to autoimmunity in females is dependent on homeostatic levels of estrogen.     

Nimodipine confers clinical improvement in two models of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Multiple sclerosis is characterised by inflammatory neurodegeneration, with axonal injury and neuronal cell death occurring in parallel to demyelination. Regarding the molecular mechanisms responsible for demyelination and axonopathy, energy failure, aberrant expression of ion channels and excitotoxicity have been suggested to lead to Ca²⁺ overload and subsequent activation of calcium‐dependent damage pathways. Thus, the inhibition of Ca²⁺ influx by pharmacological modulation of Ca²⁺ channels may represent a novel neuroprotective strategy in the treatment of secondary axonopathy. We therefore investigated the effects of the L‐type voltage‐gated calcium channel blocker nimodipine in two different models of mouse experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE ), an established experimental paradigm for multiple sclerosis. We show that preventive application of nimodipine (10 mg/kg per day) starting on the day of induction had ameliorating effects on EAE in SJL /J mice immunised with encephalitic myelin peptide PLP _139–151, specifically in late‐stage disease. Furthermore, supporting these data, administration of nimodipine to MOG _35–55‐immunised C57BL /6 mice starting at the peak of pre‐established disease, also led to a significant decrease in disease score, indicating a protective effect on secondary CNS damage. Histological analysis confirmed that nimodipine attenuated demyelination, axonal loss and pathological axonal β‐amyloid precursor protein accumulation in the cerebellum and spinal cord in the chronic phase of disease. Of note, we observed no effects of nimodipine on the peripheral immune response in EAE mice with regard to distribution, antigen‐specific proliferation or activation patterns of lymphocytes. Taken together, our data suggest a CNS ‐specific effect of L‐type voltage‐gated calcium channel blockade to inflammation‐induced neurodegeneration.