title: Usefulness of selected laboratory markers in ulcerative colitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study aimed to compare the accuracy of selected laboratory markers in assessing disease activity in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). The analysis included serum IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, TNF-, IFN-, hsCRP, peripheral regulatory T cells, as well as fecal calprotectin and lactoferrin.
  
  
  METHODS
  A group of 45 adults with UC was enrolled in the study. Disease activity was assessed using the Mayo endoscopic index, while for clinical activity scoring, the Clinical Activity Index (CAI) was used. Concentrations of markers investigated were estimated by means of flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays: the results were correlated with both indices.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study demonstrated that both fecal markers, i.e. calprotectin (r = 0.880, P<0.001) and lactoferrin (r = 0.799, P<0.001) correlated closely with the Mayo endoscopic score, and might be used to evaluate the severity of UC in the clinical setting. The correlation of these markers with CAI was also significant, with r = 0.831 for calprotectin (P<0.001) and r = 0.672 for lactoferrin (P<0.05). As for the other markers investigated, only IL-6 (r = 0.598, P<0.001), IL-17A (r = 0.587, P<0.005), and TNF- (r = 0.701, P<0.001) correlated closely with the Mayo endoscopic index. The correlation of the markers with CAI was also significant, though weaker, with r = 0.525 for IL-6 (P<0.001), r = 0.587 for IL-17A (P<0.05), and r = 0.624 for TNF- (P<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the fact, that UC is generally considered to be an IL-13-driven, Th2-like type of disease, markers of inflammation such as serum interleukin (IL)-6, IL-17, TNF-, fecal calprotectin and lactoferrin might be useful in assessing disease activity.
authors.forename: Dorota
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mańkowska-Wierzbicka
authors.forename: Ewelina
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Swora-Cwynar
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Poniedziałek
authors.forename: Zygmunt
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Adamski
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dobrowolska
authors.forename: Jacek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Karczewski
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy; D003113:Colonoscopy; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012372:ROC Curve; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D016207:Cytokines; D018836:Inflammation Mediators