Therapeutic Modulation of the Intestinal Creatine Kinase System in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Inclusion Criteria: * Male or female patients aged 18-70 years old with mild- to moderately-active UC that extends at least 15 cm proximal to the anal verge (i.e. not proctitis) as defined by a Mayo Score of 3-10, with an endoscopic subscore ≥ 1. * Allowed concomitant medications will include mesalamine compounds if used for at least 8 weeks and at a stable dose for at least 4 weeks, as well as thiopurines (azathioprine, 6-mercaptopurine) if used at a stable dose for at least 3 months. Exclusion Criteria: * Abnormal baseline laboratory tests: * Albumin \< 3.0 g/dL * ALT, AST, total bilirubin, or alkaline phosphatase \> 1.5 x ULN * Potassium \< 3.0 mmol/L or \> 5.5 mmol/L * Creatinine or cystatin C \> ULN * WBC ≤ 3000 * Platelets ≤ 105 * Hemoglobin ≤ 10g/dL * Positive stool test for Clostridium difficile, ova and parasites, or routine stool culture * Pregnancy (as confirmed by urine pregnancy test at study outset), stated desire to become pregnant during the study period, or refusal/inability to use effective methods of contraception during the study period. * Concomitant major comorbidities (renal, hepatic, cardiac, pulmonary or malignancy) to include any medical conditions requiring therapeutic anti-coagulation or anti-platelet therapy. * Diagnosis of severe UC (Mayo Score \> 10) * Evidence or history of toxic megacolon * Patients who received anti-TNF agents within 3 months of screening, or who used oral or rectal corticosteroids within 4 weeks of screening will be excluded. * Use of over-the-counter herbal or dietary supplements (excluding vitamin and minerals) two weeks prior to or during the study period. * Use of known nephrotoxic medications (including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), cyclosporin A, tacrolimus, aminoglycoside antibiotics, diuretics, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, or angiotensin receptor blockers) 2 weeks prior to or during the study period * Prior surgical bowel resections (excluding appendectomy) * Local or systemic complications or other pathological states requiring therapy with corticosteroids and/or immunosuppressive agents.