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Updated: Feb 16, 2026
Investigating Intestinal Inflammation in DSS-induced Model of IBD
Published on: February 1, 2012
Elevation of serum pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) in IBD and its relationship to IBD indices
Ahmed A Almousa1, Marc Morris1, Sharyle Fowler2
1Drug Discovery and Development Research Group, College of Pharmacy and Nutrition, University of Saskatchewan, 107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Objectives:
Endoscopy remains the gold standard to diagnose and evaluate inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) activity. Current biomarkers or their combinations cannot adequately predict IBD risk, diagnosis, progression or relapse, and response to therapy. Pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) is emerging as a significant mediator of the inflammatory process. We aimed to assess levels of serum PKM2 in healthy and newly diagnosed IBD patients and its relationship with IBD indices and microbiota changes.
Design And Methods:
IBD serum samples from newly diagnosed patients were collected and analyzed using a PKM2-ELISA and correlated with disease activity scores, IBD disease type, and intestinal microbiota. Furthermore, we tested the genetic and protein expression of PKM2 in an in vitro intestinal cell model of inflammation.
Results:
Serum PKM2 levels were 6-fold higher in IBD patients compared to healthy controls, with no sensitivity to disease phenotype (Crohn's Disease or Ulcerative Colitis) or localization of inflammation. Serum PKM2 had considerably less interindividual variability than established IBD fecal biomarkers. A positive Pearson correlation (r=0.6121) existed between serum PKM2 and Bacteroidetes fecal levels in Crohn's disease (CD), while a negative (r=-0.6128) correlation was observed with Actinobacteria fecal levels. Furthermore, LPS (500ng/mL) significantly increased PKM2 expression in vitro, which was significantly suppressed by an anti-inflammatory flaxseed bioactive agent.
Conclusion:
Our data suggests PKM2 as a putative biomarker for IBD and the dysbiosis of microflora in CD. Investigations involving larger number of clinical patients are necessary to validate its use as a serum biomarker of IBD.
Insights
Serum pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) is significantly elevated in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients, showing potential as a novel biomarker for IBD and gut dysbiosis in Crohn's disease.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Endoscopy is the gold standard for diagnosing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but current biomarkers are insufficient for predicting risk, progression, or treatment response.
- Pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) is recognized as a key mediator in inflammatory processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate serum PKM2 levels in healthy individuals and newly diagnosed IBD patients.
- To explore the relationship between serum PKM2 and IBD disease activity indices, IBD subtypes, and gut microbiota composition.
- To investigate PKM2 expression in an in vitro model of intestinal inflammation.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples from IBD patients and healthy controls were analyzed using PKM2-ELISA.
- Correlations were drawn between serum PKM2 levels, disease activity scores, IBD type, and fecal microbiota.
- PKM2 genetic and protein expression was assessed in an in vitro intestinal cell model.
Main Results:
- Serum PKM2 levels were six-fold higher in IBD patients compared to controls, irrespective of disease phenotype or inflammation site.
- Serum PKM2 exhibited lower interindividual variability than established fecal IBD biomarkers.
- A positive correlation was found between serum PKM2 and Bacteroidetes, and a negative correlation with Actinobacteria in Crohn's disease (CD) patients.
- Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) increased PKM2 expression in vitro, which was reduced by a flaxseed bioactive agent.
Conclusions:
- Serum PKM2 shows promise as a biomarker for IBD and for detecting gut dysbiosis in CD.
- Further clinical studies with larger cohorts are needed to validate PKM2 as a reliable serum biomarker for IBD.
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