Inverse correlation between metallothioneins and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha in colonocytes and experimental colitis

► We examined the relation between metallothioneins and hypoxia inducible factor. ► Hydroxylase Inhibition down-regulates MT expression in colonocytes. ► Metallothionein down-regulation in colonocytes is HIF-1α mediated. ► Metallothioneins are able to suppress Hif-1α stabilization. ► An inverse correlation between MT and HIF-1α is present during experimental colitis.