Low-dose low-molecular weight heparin (enoxaparin) is effective as adjuvant treatment in active ulcerative colitis: an open trial.
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disorder of unknown etiology. Treatment of flare-ups is based on mesalamine and steroids. Treatment of moderate to severe ulcerative colitis with high-dose heparin and low-molecular-weight heparin was reported. The mechanism was assumed to be a combination of anti-coagulant and anti-inflammatory effects. Low-molecular-weight heparin is better and safer than unfractionated heparin. Studies of low-dose low-molecular-weight heparin in experimental models of inflammation and in inflammatory diseases demonstrated a beneficial effect. Our aim in this study was to evaluate the effect of low-dose, low-molecular-weight heparin in active ulcerative colitis. Twelve patients with flare-ups of colitis were prospectively enrolled. Subcutaneous injections of 5-mg enoxaparin were administered at weekly intervals for 12 weeks. Mesalamine doses remained unchanged. Clinical, laboratory, endoscopic, histologic, and quality-of-life scores were evaluated at the beginning and end of the study. Ten patients completed the study. Mean age was 40.1; the female-male ratio was 7:3. Mean Mayo scores were 9.0 +/- 0.94 at baseline and 3.4 +/- 2.0 at the end of the study (P = 0.0001). Endoscopic scores decreased from 2.2 +/- 0.4 to 1.2 +/- 1.0 (P = 0.049) and in 7 of 10 patients extent of disease shortened. A significant increase in IBDQL scores from 135.7 +/- 37.17 to 179.6 +/- 45.15 points was demonstrated (P = 0.0117). Adverse events were one hospitalization due to abdominal pain, arthralgia (1), transient peripheral edema (1), and elevation of alkaline phosphatase (1). During follow-up, one patient required colectomy and another experienced an exacerbation. In conclusion, low-dose low-molecular-weight heparin once a week, combined with mesalamine, may be an effective therapy for active ulcerative colitis. It may delay or preclude the need for steroid treatment. Controlled studies to evaluate efficacy are needed.
Dotan
I
I
Department of Gastroenterology, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Israel.
Hallak
A
A
Arber
N
N
Santo
M
M
Alexandrowitz
A
A
Knaani
Y
Y
Hershkoviz
R
R
Brazowski
E
E
Halpern
Z
Z
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017984:Enoxaparin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019804:Mesalamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000925:Anticoagulants; D017984:Enoxaparin; D019804:Mesalamine