ALTERATION OF PROSTAGLANDIN E(2) AND LEUKOTRIENE B-4 SYNTHESIS IN CHRONIC INFLAMMATORY BOWEL-DISEASE

Background: Eicosanoid mediators play an important role in the pathoge nesis of chronic inflammatory bowel disease. Materials and Methods: Th e synthesis of prostaglandin E(2) and leukotriene B-4 in biopsied colo nic specimens from patients with inflammatory bowel disease was compar ed with that fi om healthy controls. In contrast to surgical resection , biopsy by colonoscopy enabled patients with milder disease to be inv estigated. Results: In subjects with Crohn's disease or ulcerative col itis, the synthesis of PGE(2) was significantly (p<0,05) increased, wh ereas synthesis of LTB(4) remained unaltered. In addition, no differen ces in PGE(2) and LTB(4) production were found in different age groups or sex. Conclusion: We conclude that prostaglandin E(2), compared to leukotriene B-4, is the dominant eicosanoid in moderate inflammatory b owel disease.