Plasma and mucosal prostaglandin E2 as a surrogate marker of ulcerative colitis activity

Enhanced production of prostaglandin E2 was observed in the course of inflammatory bowel diseases. The study was undertaken to determine whether mucosal and plasma concentrations of PGE2 can be considered as a surrogate marker of bowel inflammation activity in patients with ulcerative colitis.

Prostaglandin E2 concentration was measured with an EIA in biopsies of rectal mucosa and plasma of 79 patients with ulcerative colitis and 12 controls. Endoscopic picture was scored and compared with plasma and mucosal PGE2, as well as with possible laboratory markers of the disease activity, including C-reactive protein, albumin, gamma-globulin, haemoglobin concentrations, and sedimentation rate, white blood count and platelets count.

Plasma and mucosal PGE2 demonstrated in ulcerative colitis exceeded control level over five and three fold respectively. They increased depending on the scored degree of mucosal injury, demonstrated through significant positive correlation (r = 0.437 and r = 0.525). Among other possible laboratory markers of the disease activity, only sedimentation rate revealed significant correlation (r = 0.288). CRP demonstrated weak association with the disease activity and there was almost lack of any association in respect to white blood count, and albumin or gamma-globulin concentrations.

These data confirm possible usefulness of plasma or mucosal PGE2 measurement in patients with ulcerative colitis as a possible marker of inflammation. Moreover, as a prognostic factor it can reduce the number of endoscopic procedures.