FUNCTIONAL ALTERATIONS OF THE MICROFLORA IN PATIENTS WITH ULCERATIVE-COLITIS

The aim of the study was to examine microflora-associated characterist ics in patients with inactive ulcerative colitis, receiving sulphasala zine, in relation to the spread of the disease. The conversion of chol esterol to coprostanol, the production of urobilinogen, and the degrad ation of tryptic activity (FTA) and beta-aspartylglycine were measured in faecal samples from patients with proctitis or left-sided or total ulcerative colitis and in age- and sex-matched controls. No significa nt differences in the results were observed in patients with various d egrees of extension of inflammatory bowel disease. However, the copros tanol ratio and the urobilinogen level were lower and the FTA was high er in patients with colitis than in the controls (p < 0.05). Beta-aspa rtylglycine was not found in any faecal sample. The results indicate t hat patients with ulcerative colitis taking sulphasalazine have a micr oflora with abnormal metabolic characteristics.