Transforming growth factor-beta and hepatocyte growth factor plasma levels in patients with inflammatroy bowel disease

Abstract

An increased mucosal expression of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has been reported in patients with active inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and in proximity to injured gastric and intestinal mucosal surfaces. The aim of this study was to measure systemic concentrations of TGF-β and HGF and to assess their potential value to predict disease activity or severity of inflammation in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases.

Plasma HGF and TGF-β1 peptide levels were determined in 29 patients with ulcerative colitis, 45 patients with Crohn's disease and 28 healthy controls using commercial ELISA assays. Peptide levels were correlated with disease activity indices and various laboratory parameters.

HGF and TGF-β1 plasma levels were detected in all control and IBD subjects. Although a tendency towards increased HGF and TGF-β1 peptide levels in IBD patients was observed, differences between groups were not significant. In ulcerative colitis patients HGF plasma levels positively correlated with white blood cell counts and negatively correlated with serum albumin concentrations and haematocrit. In Crohn's disease patients, a positive correlation between TGF-β and platelet count was observed.

HGF and TGF-β1 plasma concentrations are not significantly different in IBD and healthy control subjects. Stratification of IBD patients according to disease activity did not reveal any substantial differences, suggesting that HGF and TGF-β plasma levels have no value in the assessment of disease activity or severity of inflammation in patients with IBD.Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol12:445-450 © 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology 2000, 12:445-450