Soluble adhesion molecules in inflammatory bowel disease.
BACKGROUND
Soluble adhesion molecules are elevated in a number of inflammatory conditions.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the correlation of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and sE-selectin with the activity of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).


METHODS
sICAM-1 and sE-selectin were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 53 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 38 patients with Crohn's disease (CD).


RESULTS
Patients with active UC and CD had significantly higher sICAM-1 than patients with inactive disease and controls. Patients with pancolitis had significantly higher levels than patients with distal colitis. There was a significant difference in sE-selectin levels between patients with active CD and control sICAM-1. sE-selectin did not correlate with the Harvey Bradshaw index (HBI). C-reactive protein (CRP) and microalbuminuria were better markers than sICAM-1 or sE-selectin which correlated with serum tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha.


CONCLUSIONS
sICAM-1 and sE-selectin are elevated in the serum of patients with IBD but CRP and microalbuminuria reflect clinical disease activity more accurately. This study does not support the routine use of soluble adhesion molecules as disease activity markers in IBD.
Goggins
M G
MG
Departments of Clinical Medicine and Gastroenterology, Trinity College and St James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
Goh
J
J
O'Connell
M A
MA
Weir
D G
DG
Kelleher
D
D
Mahmud
N
N
D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D019040:E-Selectin / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D015415:Biomarkers; D019040:E-Selectin; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D002097:C-Reactive Protein