Background:
Background:
Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), may be involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of TNF-α on the inflammatory activity of IBD.
Methods:
TNF-α mRNA expression in intestinal mucosal biopsy specimens from IBD patients [ulcerative colitis (UC), n= 54; and Crohn's disease (CD), n= 11] was analyzed using a competitive polymerase chain reaction. The degree of macrophage infiltration was analyzed by immunohistochemistry, using an anti-human CD68 antibody.
Results:
TNF-α mRNA expression was increased in UC patients, corresponding to the inflammatory activity. However, in CD, TNF-α mRNA expression was not correlated with the endoscopic findings.
Conclusions:
We clarified that TNF-α mRNA expression was responsible for the inflammatory activity in UC. However, TNF-α mRNA expression was not correlated with the mucosal injury in CD.
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Received: February 9, 2001 / Accepted: September 28, 2001
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Akazawa, A., Sakaida, I., Higaki, S. et al. Increased expression of tumor necrosis factor-α messenger RNA in the intestinal mucosa of inflammatory bowel disease, particularly in patients with disease in the inactive phase. J Gastroenterol 37, 345–353 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s005350200048
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s005350200048