Elevated group II phospholipase A(2) mass concentration in serum and colonic mucosa in Crohn's disease

Group II phospholipase A(2) has been proposed to play an important role in the pathophysiology of inflammatory bower diseases. This enzyme has also be en linked to host defence mechanisms against bacteria. The current study ai med at measuring the mass concentrations of group II phospholipase A(2) in serum and colonic mucosa of patients with Crohn's disease of different seve rity and of appropriate control patients without any inflammatory disease. The activity of the disease was determined by clinical factors (the simple index score) and endoscopic and histological scoring. The mass concentratio n of group II phospholipase A(2) was measured by a time-resolved fluoroimmu noassay. The mass concentrations of group It phospholipase A(2) in serum an d colonic mucosa were significantly higher both in patients with active and inactive Crohn's disease when compared with controls. There was statistica lly significant difference in the mass concentration of group II phospholip ase A(2) in colonic mucosa but not in serum between inactive and active Cro hn's disease. The current results indicate that the mass concentration of g roup II phospholipase A(2) is increased in serum and colonic mucosa of pati ents with Crohn's disease and that the tatter is associated with the degree of the inflammatory activity in the intestinal wall. These results support the idea that group II phospholipase A(2) is involved in the local and gen eralised pathological processes of Crohn's disease.