[Clinical significance of faecal calprotectin levels in patients with ulcerative colitis].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the clinical significance of faecal calprotectin levels (a neutrophil protein) in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC).


METHODS
25 patients with UC provided stool samples for calprotectin assay and the amount of calprotectin was related to UC disease activity index in each patient. Of 25 patients 4 with prednisolone refractory UC received 10 granulocyte and monocyte adsorption apheresis (GMCAP) sessions of 60 minutes duration, flow rate 30 mL per minute for 10 consecutive weeks.


RESULTS
Calprotectin level in consecutive faecal samples from three patients was stable. However, increased calprotectin levels were significantly (p < 0.005) associated with Matts's endoscopic index, reflecting the level of colorectal inflammation. The 4 patients who received GMCAP therapy had a clinical activity index < 2 at week 7, the calprotectin level declined with improving Matts' index.


CONCLUSIONS
Assay of faecal calprotectin holds promise as a sensitive biomarker to identify colorectal inflammation.
Hanai
Hiroyuki
H
Department of Endoscopic and Photodynamic Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine.
Tozawa
Koutarou
K
Takeuchi
Ken
K
Iida
Takayuki
T
Arai
Hajime
H
Kanaoka
Shigeru
S
Sugimoto
Ken
K
Yoshida
Kennichi
K
Iwasaki
Teruhiko
T
Nakamura
Akiko
A
Hosoda
Yoshisuke
Y
Shirai
Naohito
N
Hirasawa
Kouki
K
Takahira
Kennichirou
K
Kataoka
Hideki
H
Sano
Munetaka
M
Osawa
Megumi
M
Sugimoto
Shigemitsu
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis*; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D039841:Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex / Q000032:analysis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D015415:Biomarkers; D039841:Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex