Effect of ulcerative colitis activity on plasma concentration of transforming growth factor β1

Enhanced expression of transforming growth factor-beta (1) (TGF-beta (1)) demonstrated in human colonic mucosa of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), indicates its possible significance in the pathogenesis of this disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate plasma TGF-beta (1) concentration in patients with different degrees of colonic mucosal injury, as a possible indicator of ulcerative colitis activity. TGF-beta (1) concentration was measured with an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) in plasma of 45 patients with endoscopically confirmed UC. Values observed in UC patients (40.5 +/- 15.9 ng/ml) were significantly higher than in healthy people (18.3 +/- 11.6 ng/ml) and higher than in patients with irritable colon syndrome (ICS), (20.5 +/- 13.6 ng/ml). The highest plasma TGF-beta (1) (58.6 +/- 112.1 ng/ml) was in patients with the severe UC course. TGF-beta (1) level analysed in all UC patients revealed significant positive correlation with scored degree of mucosal injury (r=0.396; P<0.01). Among other possible laboratory markers of the disease activity, only C-reactive protein concentration demonstrated significant correlation. Enhanced production of TGF-beta(1) can be related to inflammation activity. Measurement of plasma TGF-beta (1) may be considered as a biomarker of the disease activity. (C) 2001 Academic Press.