[24-hour urinary 6-hydroxymelatonin sulfate excretion in patients with ulcerative colitis].
The cause and factors determining the chronic course of ulcerative colitis (UC) remain unknown. Melatonin is synthetised in the gastrointestinal tract and plays a crucial role in the protection of gastrointestinal mucosa and modulation of the immune system. Melatonin is metabolised to 6-hydroxymelatonin sulfate (6HMS) and excreted into urine. Urine 6HMS concentration corresponds well with the total level of melatonin in the body. The aim of the study was to evaluate 24-hour urine excretion of 6HMS in UC and its correlation with severity of the disease.


METHODS
The studied group comprised 24 patients with UC (aged 17-58 years, mean age 33 years) admitted on the reason of UC relapse. The control group comprised 25 healthy volunteers (aged 18-49 years, mean age 35 years). The patients with UC were clinically scored and underwent colonoscopy. The subjects collected the total volume of urine excreted during a 24-hour period. 6HMS in urine was calculated using ELISA method. RESULTS. The average 24-hour urine excretion of 6HMS was 26.06 +/- 15.15 microg in UC patients and 15.09 +/- 6.37 microg in healthy subjects (p < 0.001). The urine level of 6HMS tended to be increased in mild related to severe course of the disease.


CONCLUSIONS
The average 24-hour urine excretion of 6HMS in UC patients is higher than in healthy persons and negatively associated with severity of UC. Melatonin seems to be a part of anti-inflammatory response and its high level may appease the course of UC.
Uniwersytet Medyczny w Łodzi, Klinika Gastroenterologii i Chorób Wewnetrznych. gastro@achilles.wam.lodz.pl
Patrycja
P
Boznańska
Paweł
P
Wichan
Agnieszka
A
Stepień
Maria
M
Wiśniewska-Jarosńska
Janusz
J
Smigielski
Krzysztof
K
Szadkowski
Krystyna
K
Stec-Michalska
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000378:metabolism / Q000652:urine*; D003113:Colonoscopy; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000652:urine*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
C054513:6-sulfatoxymelatonin; D008550:Melatonin