Cytokine production in pouchitis is similar to that in ulcerative colitis.
OBJECTIVE
Controversy exists as to whether pouchitis represents a reactivation of the immunologic mechanisms that lead to ulcerative colitis (UC). The aims of this study were to determine local levels of the cytokines: interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) in the mucosa of patients with "asymptomatic" ileoanal pouch (n = 25), pouchitis (n = 9), active UC (n = 20), normal ileum (n = 15), proctitis (n = 10), and normal colon (n = 15).


METHODS
Lamina propria mononuclear cells were isolated from mucosal biopsies by enzymatic dispersion and cultured for 48 hours. Proinflammatory cytokine levels were measured in the supernatants by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.


RESULTS
IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF alpha secretions were significantly greater in pouchitis and active UC than in the noninflamed ileoanal pouch and normal controls (P < 0.001). There was significant correlation (r = 0.63, P < 0.05) between levels of cytokines expressed in pouchitis and active UC.


CONCLUSIONS
Increased cytokine expression occurs in both active UC and pouchitis and to a lesser extent in the long-standing ileoanal pouch.
Patel
R T
RT
University Department of Surgery, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Bain
I
I
Youngs
D
D
Keighley
M R
MR
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000378:metabolism*; D003106:Colon / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007079:Ileitis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D007082:Ileum / Q000378:metabolism; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood; D007378:Interleukins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000097:blood; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009961:Orosomucoid / Q000032:analysis; D011349:Proctitis / Q000378:metabolism; D016737:Proctocolectomy, Restorative / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D007375:Interleukin-1; D015850:Interleukin-6; D016209:Interleukin-8; D007378:Interleukins; D009961:Orosomucoid; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D002097:C-Reactive Protein