Serum transforming growth factor-beta1 levels increase in response to successful anti-inflammatory therapy in ulcerative colitis.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate serum levels of transforming growth factor-beta1 and interferon-gamma in active ulcerative colitis and to assess changes during treatment.


METHODS
We prospectively evaluated serum from 25 patients with untreated active ulcerative colitis and 19 healthy controls. Disease activity score (DAI), serum transforming growth factor-beta1 and interferon-gamma levels were measured at baseline and after 7 days of conventional treatment. Disease activity score and transforming growth factor-beta1 were also assessed at 42 days.


RESULTS
Baseline transforming growth factor-beta1 levels were significantly higher in patients than in controls (P < 0.02). On the 7th day, transforming growth factor-beta1 levels increased only in patients who responded (P < 0. 01); variations in transforming growth factor-beta1 levels and disease activity score were inversely correlated (r=- 0.72, P < 0. 001). At day 42, serum transforming growth factor-beta1 decreased significantly compared with the 7th day (P < 0.05). While in controls, interferon-gamma was undetectable; untreated patients had higher, widely variable, levels. At day 7, responders had higher interferon-gamma values than unresponsive cases. Variations in interferon-gamma correlated moderately with changes in transforming growth factor-beta1 (r=0.53, P < 0.05). Cytokine response did not depend upon the type of treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Both transforming growth factor-beta1 and interferon-gamma may play a role in the injury-repair process in active ulcerative colitis. Variations in circulating transforming growth factor-beta1 levels in the first week of treatment seem to be related to the therapeutic response.
Sambuelli
A
A
Inflammatory Bowel Disease Section, Clinical Service, Clinical Department, Gastroenterology Hospital 'Dr Carlos Bonorino Udaondo', Buenos Aires, Argentina. asambu@intramed.net.ar
Diez
R A
RA
Sugai
E
E
Boerr
L
L
Negreira
S
S
Gil
A
A
Camartino
G
G
Huernos
S
S
Doldán
I
I
Felstiner
D
D
Bai
J C
JC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000097:blood* / Q000145:classification / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012460:Sulfasalazine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000097:blood*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D012460:Sulfasalazine; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D011241:Prednisone