Detection of insulin-like growth factor-I and transforming growth factor-beta in whole gut lavage fluid: a novel method of studying intestinal fibrosis.
BACKGROUND
Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and/or transforming growth factor-beta (IGF-beta), may be involved in gut fibrous strictures.


METHODS
Concentrations of these two peptides have been measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) in whole gut lavage fluid from 57 patients, of whom 14 had strictures of the small intestine or colon associated with Crohn's disease, irradiation injury, ischaemia or diverticulitis.


RESULTS
IGF-I was detected in fluid from 11 of 14 patients with strictures, and 5 of 43 others (P < 0.01). TGF-beta was detectable in all 57 samples and concentrations were unrelated to the presence or absence of strictures.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinical studies of growth factors in intestinal fluid should facilitate research on intestinal fibrogenesis, and the diagnosis of fibrous stricturing in Crohn's disease.
Ghosh
S
S
Department of Medicine, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, UK.
Humphreys
K
K
Papachrysostomou
M
M
Ferguson
A
A
D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000032:analysis*; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism; D007422:Intestines / Q000098:blood supply / Q000528:radiation effects; D007511:Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012996:Solutions / Q000737:chemistry*; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000032:analysis*
D012996:Solutions; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I