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Quantification of Inflammatory Mediators in Stool Samples of Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disorders and Controls

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Abstract

Previous studies indicated that eosinophils andmast cells accumulate and become activated ininflammatory bowel disorders. The aim of the study wasto examine the presence of eosinophil and mast cellmediators in human stool samples of patients withinflammatory bowel disorders. We measured eosinophilcationic protein (ECP), eosinophil protein ×(EPX), methylhistamine, andα1-antitrypsin in fecal samples of 136 patients (62 Crohn's 1 disease, 24ulcerative colitis, 15 intestinal food allergy, 35 othergastrointestinal diseases) and 8 healthy controls. Wefound strongly elevated levels of ECP (median: 29,range: 0.4-1783 ng/g feces) and EPX (803, 10-33,225ng/g) in all patient groups compared to controls (ECP:1.5, 0.5-55 ng/g; EPX: 235, 12-746 ng/g). Similarresults, albeit less pronounced, were obtained formethylhistamine and alpha1-antitrypsin. Particularly highconcentrations of ECP and EPX were found in patientswith active mucosal inflammation. In conclusion, thestudy presents an easy and reliable method for thedetection of fecal ECP, EPX, and methylhistamine and mayprovide a tool to gain insight into the pathogenesis ofinflammatory bowel diseases and have potential asdiagnostic test.

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Authors
  1. S. C. Bischoff
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  2. J. Grabowsky
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  3. M. P. Manns
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Bischoff, S.C., Grabowsky, J. & Manns, M.P. Quantification of Inflammatory Mediators in Stool Samples of Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disorders and Controls. Dig Dis Sci 42, 394–403 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018886423475

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