MONOCYTE ZINC AND INVITRO PROSTAGLANDIN-E2 AND INTERLEUKIN-1-BETA PRODUCTION BY CULTURED PERIPHERAL-BLOOD MONOCYTES IN PATIENTS WITH CROHNS-DISEASE

This study investigated the relationship between zinc status and prostaglandin E2 and interleukin-1-beta production by cultured monocytes in patients with Crohn's disease. Monocyte zinc was significantly decreased in both 12 inpatients and 22 outpatients compared with controls (P < 0.001) but lymphocyte and polymorphonuclear cell zinc were normal. When cultured monocytes from 10 outpatients with Crohn's disease were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide, prostaglandin E2 production increased markedly, coupled with a fall in monocyte zinc. In matched controls, prostaglandin E2 production was significantly less and monocyte zinc remained stable. No difference in interleukin-1 release was noted between patients and controls. The addition of prednisolone to cell cultures suppressed prostaglandin E2, interleukin-1 synthesis, and monocyte zinc did not change. Zinc chloride augmented prostaglandin E2 production in patients, but not controls, and interleukin-1 remained stable. These results demonstrate a link between low monocyte zinc concentration and excessive prostaglandin production in patients with Crohn's disease.