Thiol methyltransferase activity in inflammatory bowel disease

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Biochemistry
• Immunology

Background:

• Sulphide contributes to epithelial damage in ulcerative colitis.
• Thiol methyltransferase (TMT) detoxifies sulphide in the colon and erythrocytes.

Purpose of the Study:

• Measure TMT activity in erythrocytes of surgically treated colitis patients.
• Assess TMT activity in rectal biopsies from various colitis patient groups.

Main Methods:

• Collected blood from 37 donors and 27 colitis patients (post-proctocolectomy).
• Obtained rectal biopsies from 122 patients (various conditions including colitis, cancer, radiation).
• Measured TMT activity using HPLC with radioactive detection.

Main Results:

• Erythrocyte TMT activity was significantly higher in surgically treated colitis cases (p<0.001).
• Rectal TMT activity was significantly lower in acute ulcerative colitis (p<0.02) but not other groups.
• Elevated erythrocyte TMT activity persisted post-surgery for Crohn's and ulcerative colitis.

Conclusions:

• Erythrocyte TMT activity remains elevated after colitis surgery.
• No primary TMT defect found in unoperated colitis; mucosal activity declines with disease progression.
• Further research into genetic control of TMT in inflammatory bowel disease is warranted.