Concentrations of α- and β-defensins in plasma of patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract:

Background:

Impaired production/release of defensins, representative endogenous antimicrobial peptides, is associated with the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Material and methods:

Employing in house radioimmunoassay, we examined concentrations of the major forms α-defensins, human neutrophil peptides (HNP) 1–3 and human β-defensin (HBD)-2 in plasma of 55 IBD patients consisting of 29 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 26 with Crohn’s disease (CD) and 57 controls.

Results:

The circulating HNP 1–3, but not HBD-2, levels in IBD patients were significantly higher than those in controls. Plasma HNP 1–3 concentrations in CD patients significantly correlated with Crohn’s disease activity index, peripheral white blood cell counts, serum CRP values and TNF-α levels.

Conclusions:

Elevation of circulating α-defensins levels is suggestive of their physiopathological roles in IBD. Plasma HNP 1–3 concentrations may be an indicator for CD activity and their association with CRP and TNF-α supports a possible association with the inflammatory process.