Serum transforming growth factor-beta 1 levels increase in response to successful anti-inflammatory therapy in ulcerative colitis

Objective: To investigate serum levels of transforming growth factor-beta1 and interferon-gamma in active ulcerative colitis and to assess changes dur ing treatment. Methods: We prospectively evaluated serum from 25 patients with untreated a ctive ulcerative colitis and 19 healthy controls. Disease activity score (D AI), serum transforming growth factor-beta1 and interferon-gamma levels wer e measured at baseline and after 7 days of conventional treatment. Disease activity score and transforming growth factor-beta1 were also assessed at 4 2 days. Results: Baseline transforming growth factor-beta1 levels were significantl y higher in patients than in controls (P < 0.02). On the 7th day, transform ing growth factor-beta1 levels increased only in patients who responded (P < 0.01); variations in transforming growth factor-beta1 levels and disease activity score were inversely correlated (r=- 0.72, P < 0.001). At day 42, serum transforming growth factor-beta1 decreased significantly compared wit h the 7th day (P < 0.05). While in controls, interferon-gamma was undetecta ble; untreated patients had higher, widely variable, levels. At day 7, resp onders had higher interferon-gamma values than unresponsive cases. Variatio ns in interferon-gamma correlated moderately with changes in transforming g rowth factor-beta1 (r=0.53, P < 0.05). Cytokine response did not depend upo n the type of treatment. Conclusions: Both transforming growth factor-beta1 and interferon-gamma may play a role in the injury-repair process in active ulcerative colitis. Var iations in circulating transforming growth factor-beta1 levels in the first week of treatment seem to be related to the therapeutic response.