title: Intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP) as a possible biomarker of ileitis in patients with ulcerative colitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  One of nine types of FABP, intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP) is primarily limited to the mature enterocytes of the small intestine, with only trace amounts identified in the stomach and large intestine. The aim of this study was to investigate the use of I-FABP as a possible plasma marker of intestinal injury in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC).
  
  
  METHODS
  The study group consisted of 42 patients (11 females and 31 males) with active ulcerative colitis (UC), aged from 24 to 74 years (mean age: 41.8+/-3.5 years). Plasma I-FABP concentrations and hsCRP were compared using endoscopic pictures scored according to the system developed by Meyers et al., and analysed in the context of inflammatory process extension: pancolitis, or distal or left side colitis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean serum I-FABP concentration /mL), whereas individuals with left-side colitis had a mean I-FABP concentration of 61.8+/-8.5 pg/mL. Significant serum I-FABP elevation was observed in UC patients with a severe form of the disease, in contrast to the serum I-FABP concentration in patients with the mild form (260.5+/-60.6 vs. 61.5+/-7.9 pg/mL).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The elevated serum I-FABP concentration in patients with UC may indicate ileitis. I-FABP may be a useful marker of the extended inflammatory process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Bialystok, Poland. awiercinska@gmail.com
authors.forename: Alicja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wiercinska-Drapalo
authors.forename: Jerzy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jaroszewicz
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Siwak
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pogorzelska
authors.forename: Danuta
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Prokopowicz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000150:complications*; D050556:Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007079:Ileitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D050556:Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins