Expression of 5-lipoxygenase mRNA is unchanged in the colon of patients with active inflammatory bowel disease

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Background: In inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) the disease activity correlates with colonic concentrations of leukotrienes (LTs). The enzyme 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) is responsible for the enzymatic production of LTs. It has previously been demonstrated in experimental models of inflammation, that 5-LO is activated through intracellular translocation of the pre-formed enzyme, and increased constitutive activation of 5-LO has been demonstrated in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The objective of the present study was to investigate whether de novo synthesis of 5-LO is increased in patients with quiescent IBD, or is induced during acute exacerbations of IBD. Methods: Sixty-one individuals were included in the study. Twenty-eight had ulcerative colitis (UC), 21 had Crohn's disease (CD), and 12 were healthy controls. A standard rigid rectoscopy was performed in all individuals. The degree of inflammation was assessed using a semi-quantitative scale. A mucosal biopsy was taken from the most inflamed area as judged macroscopically, mRNA for 5-LO was detected using a RT-PCR technique, and the assay applied was evaluated by control experiments. Results: The expression of mRNA for 5-LO in colonic biopsies was similar in IBD patients with quiescent disease and healthy controls. When grouped according to endoscopically assessed disease activity the fraction of patients demonstrating 5-LO mRNA in colonic biopsies showed no significant change (p > 0,6; X2-test for trend). Conclusions: This study demonstrates no significant relationship between endoscopically assessed disease activity and relative presence of mRNA for 5-LO in colonic biopsies. Thus, there is no evidence of increased expression of 5-LO mRNA in either quiescent or active stages of IBD.

Original languageEnglish
JournalInflammation Research
Volume51
Issue number8
Pages (from-to)423-426
Number of pages4
ISSN1023-3830
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2002

    Research areas

  • 5-lipoxygenase, Arachidonic acid, Colonic specimens, Crohn's disease, Ulcerative colitis

ID: 218716503