SIMPLE FILTER-PAPER TECHNIQUE ALLOWS DETECTION OF MUCOSAL CYTOKINE LEVELS IN-VIVO IN ULCERATIVE-COLITIS - INTERLEUKIN-1 AND INTERLEUKIN-1-RECEPTOR ANTAGONIST

A simple filter-paper method for in vivo assessment of cytokines in in testinal mucosa of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) was developed and evaluated. Twenty-eight patients were included. Twenty-three pati ents had ulcerative colitis (UC) and five irritable bowel syndrome (IB S). Inflammation was assessed endoscopically. Through a rectoscope, fi lter paper was applied to the macroscopically most inflamed area of th e rectal mucosa until soaked, The filter paper was transferred to a bu ffer solution, and IL-1 beta and IL-1ra were assessed using ELISA, Pos itive correlations between endoscopic grading and In(IL-1 beta) (P < 0 .0001) and In(IL-1ra) (P < 0.001) and a negative correlation between e ndoscopic grading and In(IL-1ra/IL-1 beta) (P < 0.02) were found. In m easurements during and after a flare-up no significant change in IL-1r a but a significant decrease in IL-1 beta was detected, which is in ag reement with investigations on biopsies, In conclusion, the filter-pap er technique is an easily applicable, low-risk method that provides a means of monitoring cytokines in vivo in UC.