title: Neuroimmune interactions in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases: disease activity and clinical behavior based on Substance P serum levels.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The neuropeptide Substance P, plays a key role in modulating neuroimmune interactions in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. We analyzed Substance P serum levels in patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, to detail the involvement of the neuropeptide in the pathophysiology of these disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum samples were collected from 61 patients with ulcerative colitis (24 with active and 37 with inactive disease), 66 patients with Crohn's disease (29 with active and 37 with inactive disease) and 45 healthy subjects, enrolled into the study. Neuropetide serum levels were measured by means of an ELISA/EIA. Associations with disease activity and patients clinical features were also taken into account.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to controls, Substance P serum levels were significantly increased in both patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, (p<0.001). In patients with ulcerative colitis, levels paralleled disease activity (p=0.014), and the amount of the neuropeptide was considerably decreased during clinical and endoscopic remission of the disease, (p=0.025). Conversely, median Substance P levels did not differ between patients with active and inactive Crohn's disease. However, levels of the neuropeptide were more often elevated in patients with inactive and stricturing/fistulizing Crohn's disease, (p=0.002).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Data underline that Substance P might exerts important immunomodulatory functions in inflammatory bowel disease. This study suggests a potential role for Substance P serum levels in monitoring intestinal inflammation in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza Hospital, IRCCS, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy. f.tavano@operapadrepio.it
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tavano
authors.forename: F Francesco
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: di Mola
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Latiano
authors.forename: Orazio
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Palmieri
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bossa
authors.forename: Maria Rosa
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Valvano
authors.forename: Tiziana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Latiano
authors.forename: Vito
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Annese
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Andriulli
authors.forename: Pierluigi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: di Sebastiano
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015213:Neuroimmunomodulation / Q000502:physiology*; D012372:ROC Curve; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013373:Substance P / Q000097:blood*; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D013373:Substance P