COLONIC MUCOSAL HEMODYNAMICS AND TISSUE OXYGENATION IN PATIENTS WITH ULCERATIVE-COLITIS - INVESTIGATION BY ORGAN REFLECTANCE SPECTROPHOTOMETRY

Colonic mucosal hemodynamics were investigated at the rectosigmoidal r egion of the colon in 46 patients with ulcerative colitis and in 18 no rmal subjects by organ reflectance spectrophotometry under colonoscopy . The value for the index of mucosal hemoglobin concentration (IHb) wa s significantly higher, and value for the index of mucosal hemoglobin oxygen saturation (ISO2) was significantly lower in patients with acti ve ulcerative colitis than values in the normal controls or in patient s with inactive ulcerative colitis. The results indicate mucosal conge stion and hypoxemia in patients with active ulcerative colitis. The ch anges in IHb and ISO2 correlated well with the severity of ulcerative colitis scored by endoscopic findings and with the number of infiltrat ing inflammatory cells in the mucosa analyzed histologically in biopsy samples. In conclusion, the colonic mucosal microcirculation in patie nts with active ulcerative colitis was disturbed and showed congestion and hypoxemia. The analysis of hemodynamic changes may be helpful for assessing the activity of ulcerative colitis.