Transforming growth factor-beta and hepatocyte growth factor plasma levelsin patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Objective An increased mucosal expression of transforming growth factor-bet a (TGF-beta) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has been reported in patien ts with active inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and in proximity to injure d gastric and intestinal mucosal surfaces. The aim of this study was to mea sure systemic concentrations of TGF-beta and HGF and to assess their potent ial value to predict disease activity or severity of inflammation in patien ts with inflammatory bowel diseases. Design and methods Plasma HGF and TGF-beta(1) peptide levels were determine d in 29 patients with ulcerative colitis, 45 patients with Crohn's disease and 28 healthy controls using commercial ELISA assays. Peptide levels were correlated with disease activity indices and various laboratory parameters. Results HGF and TGF-beta(1) plasma levels were detected in all control and IBD subjects. Although a tendency towards increased HGF and TGF-beta(1) pep tide levels in IBD patients was observed, differences between groups were n ot significant. In ulcerative colitis patients HGF plasma levels positively correlated with white blood cell counts and negatively correlated with ser um albumin concentrations and haematocrit. In Crohn's disease patients. a p ositive correlation between TGF-beta and platelet count was observed. Conclusions HGF and TGF-beta(1) plasma concentrations are not significantly different in IBD and healthy control subjects. Stratification of IBD patie nts according to disease activity did not reveal any substantial difference s, suggesting that HGF and TGF-beta plasma levels have no value in the asse ssment of disease activity or severity of inflammation in patients with IBD . (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.