Background and aim Serum calprotectin is elevated in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Whether it correlates other markers of disease activity is unknown. The aim of this study was to correlate serum calprotectin with biochemical and histological measures of intestinal inflammation. Materials and methods TNBS colitis was induced in wistar rats, and serial blood samples were collected at 0, 3, and 12 days. Animals were subsequently sacrificed for pathological evaluation at day 12. Serum calprotectin and cytokines were measured by ELISA. Pathologic changes were classified at the macroscopic and microscopic levels. Results TNBS colitis induced elevated serum calprotectin, TNF and IL-6 within 24 h. Levels of serum calprotectin remained elevated in parallel to persistence of loose stool and weight loss to day 12. Serum calprotectin levels correlated with serum levels of TNF-α and IL6 (p < 0.001), but not CRP. Animals with liquid stool had significantly higher levels of serum calprotectin than control animals. There was a correlation between macroscopic colitis scores, and levels of serum calprotectin. Conclusion Serum calprotectin levels correlate with biochemical and histological markers of inflammation in TNBS colitis. This biomarker may have potential for diagnostic use in patients with IBD.
A 48-year-old female with severe ulcerative colitis refractory to conventional therapy was referred to our facility for management. The patient showed extensive ulcerative colitis since the age of 20 years and had failed therapy with 5-aminosalicylic acid agents and azathioprine. The disease remained active despite treatment with steroids and cyclosporine. The clinical and endoscopic parameters were consistent with severe disease. Infectious precipitants were ruled out. Given the severity of the disease and in order to avoid a colectomy, we started the patient on infliximab therapy. A dramatic clinical and endoscopic response was observed and she remained in remission at the end of a 1-year follow-up period. We discuss findings in the literature regarding the use of infliximab therapy in patients with ulcerative colitis who have failed steroids and cyclosporine.
To investigate the impact of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on bone status, a cross-sectional study was conducted including 102 Brazilian patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. Our results demonstrated the higher prevalence of low bone mass and fragility fractures in Brazilian patients compared with other populations with IBD. Introduction The prevalence of low bone mass and fractures in Brazilian patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) was investigated. Methods Patients with CD or UC answered a questionnaire detailing clinical risk factors for fracture. Bone mineral density (BMD) and quantitative ultrasound (QUS) measurements were performed in all patients. Spine X-ray was performed to determine the prevalence of vertebral fractures. Non-vertebral fracture data were obtained from medical history. Results A total of 61 women and 41 men (mean age 41.2 years) were included. Fractures were observed in 40.8% and 33.3% of the UC and CD patients respectively. 31.9% and 7.2% of the patients had vertebral and nonvertebral fractures respectively. Weight and body mass index were higher in patients with fracture than in those without (p<0.01), while other clinical variables did not differ significantly between groups. Densitometric osteoporosis was detected in 14.7% of the population. Osteoporosis was more prevalent among men than women (p=0.014). CD patients had significantly lower BMD values than UC patients. BMD and QUS values were not associated with fractures. Conclusion We observed a high prevalence of vertebral fractures (37.1%) in a young Brazilian IBD population. BMD and QUS were not associated with fracture in these patients.
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