DEFICIENCY OF BLOOD-COAGULATION FACTOR-XIII IN CROHNS-DISEASE

Objective: Refractory fistula formation is one of most intractable com plications in Crohn's disease. Recently, the role of blood coagulation Factor XIII has been recognized as an important wound-healing factor. We investigated the plasma concentration and functional activity of b lood coagulation Factor XIIIa, active suhunit of the Factor XIII, in p atients with Crohn's disease and in healthy volunteers. Methods: perip heral blood was obtained from 24 patients with Crohn's disease and fro m 10 healthy volunteers. The functional activity of Factor XIIIa was m easured by its transglutaminase activity, and plasma concentration was measured by the immunoelectrophoresis method. Results: The difference s in Crohn's disease patients and healthy volunteers were not signific ant. However, Crohn's disease patients with fistula had significantly lower functional activity than Crohn's disease patients without fistul a. Conclusions: The deficiency in this wound-healing factor might be o ne reason for refractory fistulas in Crohn's disease, and supplementat ion of the factor might be useful therapeutically.