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Published on: June 11, 2015
Circulating von Willebrand factor in inflammatory bowel disease
T R Stevens1, J P James, N J Simmonds
1Gastrointestinal Science Research Unit, London Hospital Medical College.
Gut
|April 1, 1992
Summary
Vascular injury, indicated by elevated von Willebrand factor, is implicated in inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's and ulcerative colitis. This suggests a fundamental role for endothelial cell damage in these conditions.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Vascular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Elevated circulating von Willebrand factor (vWF) is a known indicator of vascular injury.
- Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), including Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), involve complex pathological processes.
- The potential contribution of vascular injury to IBD pathogenesis remains an area of investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of vascular injury in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease.
- To measure serum von Willebrand factor levels in patients with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, bacterial diarrhea, and healthy controls.
- To explore the characteristics of von Willebrand factor in IBD sera.
Main Methods:
- Serum von Willebrand factor levels were quantified in patients with active/inactive Crohn's disease, active/inactive ulcerative colitis, bacterial diarrhea, and healthy subjects.
- Statistical analysis was performed to compare vWF levels across different groups and disease activity states.
- The effect of the reducing agent dithiothreitol (DTT) on vWF detection was assessed in IBD sera and fractured endothelial cells.
Main Results:
- Serum von Willebrand factor was significantly elevated in active and inactive Crohn's disease, active and inactive ulcerative colitis, and bacterial diarrhea compared to controls.
- vWF levels were unrelated to disease activity in Crohn's disease but were higher in active compared to inactive ulcerative colitis.
- A DTT-sensitive form of vWF, indicative of injured endothelial cells, was detected in IBD sera.
Conclusions:
- Raised serum von Willebrand factor in both active and inactive inflammatory bowel disease suggests vascular injury is a fundamental abnormality, particularly in Crohn's disease.
- Elevated vWF in active IBD and bacterial diarrhea may result from secondary vascular injury or an acute phase response.
- Increased circulating vWF could contribute to the heightened thrombosis risk observed in active inflammatory bowel disease.
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