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Biomedical subjects

H Vogelsang

Publications and source records attributed to H Vogelsang.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed2001

Is mycophenolate mofetil an effective alternative in azathioprine-intolerant patients with chronic active Crohn's disease?

OBJECTIVES: Up to 50% of patients with Crohn's disease (CD) develop steroid-dependent or refractory disease requiring immunosuppression. Azathioprine (AZA) is usually used for this purpose but must be withdrawn in up to 10% of patients because of adverse events. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is of proven efficacy and safety in transplantation and in some autoimmune disorders. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of MMF, especially in AZA-intolerant patients with chronic active CD, in comparison to a matched control group treated with AZA. METHODS: In a retrospective study, 15 patients treated with MMF and 30 randomly chosen, matched patients treated with AZA for chronic active CD were compared over a period of 1 yr. Intolerance to AZA was the indication for MMF. Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI), steroid demand, extraintestinal manifestations, and hematological and biochemical parameters were assessed at the start of therapy and 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months thereafter. RESULTS: All patients who completed the 12 months of treatment (77% AZA, 60% MMF) achieved remission. Under MMF, the cumulative prednisolone dose could be reduced by 1 g in the first half year, whereas, under AZA, this reduction was possible only in the second half year. MMF patients had almost twice as many flare-ups (80% vs 47%). Adverse events prompted the withdrawal of AZA in five patients (17%) and of MMF in three (20%). CONCLUSIONS: Both drugs are effective in inducing remission. AZA seems to be more effective in maintaining remission. The onset of therapeutic effect is delayed less under MMF. Both drugs have steroid sparing potential, which is delayed under AZA. It seems that AZA still is the immunouppressant of choice in chronic active CD, but MMF is a reasonable alternative in patients who do not tolerate AZA.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Pancreatic elastase 1 in stool: variations within one stool passage and individual changes from day to day.

Concentration of fecal pancreatic elastase 1 has been claimed to be a highly sensitive and specific noninvasive test for exocrine pancreatic function. The aim of our study was to investigate variations in elastase concentration within one stool passage and from day to day. For the analysis of the variation of fecal elastase within one stool passage, we utilized 3 different samples collected from 8 patients. Further, we assessed the individual day to day variation of fecal elastase using stools collected on 3 consecutive days from 40 patients. For the determination of pancreatic elastase 1 in stool we used an ELISA kit. We found a relatively considerable variation of fecal elastase concentration within one stool passage (n = 8, mean CV = 22%, range 4.6-83.1%) and from day to day (n = 40; mean CV = 26%, range 2.4-61.1%). Therefore, we recommend routine analysis of more than 1 stool sample collected on different days for fecal elastase and to use a borderline area of +/- 25% of the recommended cut off of 200 micrograms/g stool for the diagnosis of pancreatic insufficiency.

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay↗
PubMed2000

Personality traits, coping styles, and mood in patients awaiting lumbar-disc surgery.

The objective of this study was to characterize personality traits, coping styles, and mood state in patients with lumbar-disc disorders. In two studies (N = 112; N = 84) patients expecting lumbar-disc surgery were compared to patients awaiting another kind of surgery. Personality traits and coping styles were assessed with a personality inventory (FPI-R) and a stress-coping questionnaire (SVF). Mood was measured several times before surgery using a multidimensional self-report inventory [BSKE (EWL)]. The same inventory was used by anesthetists to rate the patient's mood. Heart rate and blood pressure also were measured. The groups did not differ with regard to personality traits, coping styles, self-reported mood state, or somatic variables. The physicians rated lumbar-disc patients as being in a better mood than control patients. Significant correlations between self-ratings and physician ratings were not observed. The results characterize lumbar-disc patients as a subgroup that is not different from other surgery patients and, therefore, does not need a specific form of psychological management prior to surgery. The importance of using patients expecting another type of surgery as a control group rather than healthy individuals is clearly demonstrated.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed2000

Significant association of strictures and internal fistula formation in Crohn's disease.

Intestinal inflammation in Crohn's disease (CD) may be complicated by the occurrence of strictures and fistulae. The pathogenesis of fistula formation is unknown. We therefore wanted to determine whether mechanical factors might contribute to the development of fistulae. Furthermore, we tried to define the path of internal fistulae through the muscular layer. For this purpose, surgical resection specimens from 42 consecutive patients with CD were prospectively studied. In gross examination the whole bowel was cut into circumferential cross sections 0.3 cm thick. Abnormal areas were histologically examined. Strictures were found in 38 patients (90.5%), and fistulae were observed in 27 (64.3%) patients. In 11 (40.7%) specimens fistulae were found within a stricture, in 15 (55.6%) at the proximal end, and in 1 (3.7%) no stricture was found. In 7 (25.9%) cases with fistulae, herniated mucosa was found within the muscularis propria or the subserosa. In 7 (25.9%) cases a blood vessel was identified near a fistula traversing the muscularis propria. From these findings we conclude that that mechanical factors may contribute to fistula formation. This is further supported by the fact that fistulae appear to traverse the muscular layer along piercing vessels.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Dermatitis herpetiformis is associated with atrophic but not with goitrous variant of Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

BACKGROUND: Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) is a gluten-sensitive skin disease that is associated with a variety of autoimmune disorders. Several investigations demonstrated an association between DH and autoimmune thyroid disease. However, it has not been shown if DH is associated with atrophic or goitrous variant of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We investigated a cohort of 41 DH patients (18 male, 23 female) and a control group (11 male, 19 female; sex and age matched healthy volunteers) to find out which variant of Hashimoto's thyroiditis is associated with DH. All patients had thyroid hormones and antibodies measured. In addition to that, thyroid sonography as well as detailed history-taking of previous thyroid disease were performed. RESULTS: In the control group no individual with elevated levels of thyroid antibodies nor abnormal thyroid hormones nor thyroid atrophy was found. Median thyroid volume in the control group was 11 mL (range 4.8-24.7 mL). However, in nine DH patients (22%) elevated levels of antithyroid microsomal (TM) antibodies were seen (P < 0.01). Three of them had abnormal thyroid hormones (7%). In the group of DH patients a significantly smaller thyroid volume was found (median 8 mL, range 1. 6-25.2 mL; P < 0001). Thyroid atrophy (volume < 4.4 mL) was found in 10 DH patients (24%) of whom 9 were females. All patients with elevated levels of TM antibodies or abnormal thyroid hormones and all patients with a history of previous hypothyroidism had a thyroid volume < 7 mL. Goitrous variant of Hashimoto's thyroiditis was not seen in any of the DH patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate that DH is associated with atrophic but not with goitrous variant of Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

[Management and methodological approaches for the assessment of emotional states in anesthesiology].

In anaesthesiology emotional states are of great importance. Reduction of anxiety and sedation in the preoperative preparation as well as stress reduction and the process of recovery are a challenge for anaesthetists as perioperative physicians. As emotions have different dimensions of manifestation like experience, expression, behaviour and somatic indicators, all these are needed to describe emotions sufficiently. In a multidimensional approach for the measure of emotional states, the different dimensions, their relationships and interactions are taken into account. The methodological approaches to registration of emotions in the anaesthesiological context are heterogeneous. In this summary the possibilities are differentiated by the source of information. Self-rating by the patient, rating by the observer, expression and behaviour and somatic indicators are taken into consideration. Analysis of the methods for the assessment of emotional states in anaesthesiological setting leads to the following recommendations: The most sensitive source of information is the patient. The rating scale used should be multidimensional and it should take specific as well as unspecific emotional aspects into account. As there are enough rating scales thoroughly developed and up to the demands of the classical test-theory, no ad hoc developed scales should be used. The rating of the emotional state should be supplemented by a rating of the physical state. The rating by the observer can be a valuable addition. The agreement between observers and the reliability of the method must be guaranteed. At presence there is no alternative in clinical practice to simple autonomic parameters such as blood pressure and heart rate as somatic indicators of emotion. Still it is important to consider the normal values for the individual patient. It is necessary to develop and to evaluate simple methods to register characteristics of expression in clinical context.

Anesthesia↗
PubMed2000

[Consensus of the Chronic Inflammatory Bowl Disease Study Group of the Austrian Society of Gastroenterology and Hepatology on the topic of "diagnosis and therapy of chronic inflammatory bowel diseases in adolescence"].

Although up to 20% of patients with Crohn's disease have their first flare during childhood or adolescence, there are no or only a few randomized, controlled studies. However, big differences and uncertainty may be observed between the diagnosis and therapy of pediatricians and gastroenterologists specialized for adults. In addition, special problems result from the enormous somatic and psychological evolution during adolescence. The diagnosis is done as in adult patients by enteroclysm and ileocolonoscopy (including multiple biopsies) whereas a deep sedoanalgesia or anesthesia should be performed routinely. Corticosteroids are the gold standard for therapy of Crohn's disease in the adolescence (especially in cases with high inflammatory activity), but also enteral nutrition over 4-12 weeks--or a combination of both. A recent randomized controlled study demonstrates the positive effect of 6-mercaptopurine in newly diagnosed patients with Crohn's disease in the adolescence. 5-aminosalicylates or the probably more effective azathioprine/6-mercaptopurine could be used for prevention of recurrence in Crohn's disease. The therapy of ulcerative colitis is performed as in adults including the very effective local rectal applications. An accompanying psychosomatic therapy is recommended especially in young patients with disturbed separation from the parents and inadequate coping. The indication for surgery is similar to adults. However, a specific indication for earlier surgery is given, if severe malabsorption and delay of growth takes place in spite of adequate therapy, because this delay of growth could be only caught up before puberty. A conservative therapeutic regimen is recommended in young patients with perianal Crohn's disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Surface membrane antigen alteration on blood basophils in patients with Hymenoptera venom allergy under immunotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Venom immunotherapy (VIT) provides widespread protection against systemic anaphylactic reactions after a sting of the respective insect. This effect is attributed to a shift from T(H)2 to T(H)1. However, because basophils also produce and release cytokines, such as IL-4 and IL-13, they may be part of the cytokine network. The cytokines may regulate basophilic granulocytes, as suggested by the presence of cytokine receptors IL-2Ralpha, GM-CSFRalpha, IL-1RII, IL-3R, IL-4R, IL-5R, and IL-6R on basophils from nonallergic donors. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that human basophils from subjects allergic to wasp venom undergoing VIT are regulated by cytokines, as shown by the alteration of the expression of cytokine receptors (and other markers). METHODS: The expression of the surface interleukin receptors and activation antigens on basophils from 19 nonallergic subjects and 48 patients with wasp venom allergy was investigated before, immediately after, and 1 week after VIT (20 patients only). RESULTS: Basophilic granulocytes in allergic subjects, compared with those in healthy persons, showed elevated expression of CD32 (FcgammaRII), CD122 (IL-2Rbeta), CD124 (IL-4Ralpha), CD130 (IL-6 and 11Rbeta), CD154 (CD40L), and HLA-DR. Activation of basophils clearly increased during VIT indicated by increased expression of CD32, CD33, CD35 (CR1), CD63, CD116 (GM-CSFRalpha), CD122, CD124, CD130, and CD154. HLA-DR expression also tended to increase. The expression of IL-5R (CD125) decreased. A significant decrease of the basophilic surface antigens CD11c, CD32, CD35, CD63, CD116, CD122, CD124, CD130, and CD132 (interleukin receptor gamma) was detected 1 week after the end of rush VIT. CONCLUSION: The rise in CD63 during VIT indicates a partial basophil degranulation with release of stored protein mediators, including IL-4. IL-4 may cause a transient upregulation of different surface antigens in an autocrine manner. Thereafter, cytokines released by T cells, which as a result of VIT have changed from a T(H)2 type to a more T(H)1 type, downregulate the activation of the basophilic granulocytes.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Calcaneal ultrasound attenuation and vitamin-D-receptor genotypes in celiac disease.

BACKGROUND: Osteopenia is common in patients with celiac disease and is believed to result from malnutrition. Osteoporosis in otherwise healthy individuals is related to genetically determined polymorphisms within the vitamin-D-receptor (VDR) gene. We hypothesized that in celiac patients particular genes of the VDR enhance the susceptibility for malnutrition-associated low-bone density. METHODS: We determined allelic frequencies within the VDR gene by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis in 92 patients with celiac disease (age, 15-83 years). Thirty-eight patients were on a gluten-free diet; 54 patients did not adhere to a diet. The determined VDR polymorphisms in 111 unrelated newborns served as controls. Osteopenia was determined by means of ultrasound measurements of the calcaneus (n = 78). Bone turnover was estimated by osteocalcin determination (n = 60). RESULTS: There was no difference in the frequency of the VDR gene polymorphisms in patients with celiac disease compared with controls. Adjusted ultrasound measures of the calcaneus were low in 47% of patients, but there was no difference of the VDR gene frequencies in these patients compared with those with normal ultrasound results or controls. Bone turnover was higher in patients without a gluten-free diet (P = 0.02). Again, there was no association with any particular VDR gene. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with celiac disease frequently have osteopenia, which is not related to any of the determined genes within the VDR.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Exocrine pancreatic function in critically ill patients: septic shock versus non-septic patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the exocrine pancreatic function in critically ill patients. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Medical intensive care unit. PATIENTS: A total of 18 critically ill patients (11 patients with septic shock according to the criteria of the American College of Chest Physicians/Society of Critical Care Medicine, 7 nonseptic patients). The results obtained in these subjects were compared with the data obtained in seven healthy volunteers. INTERVENTIONS: Examination of exocrine pancreatic function was done by means of a cholecystokinin-secretin test. Intravenous stimulation of the exocrine pancreas with cholecystokinin and secretin (1 unit/kg body weight/hr each) and aspiration of duodenal fluid by a gastroscopically inserted oroduodenal tube was done during a period of 1 hr. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The content of amylase, chymotrypsin, and trypsin in aspirated duodenal fluid was significantly reduced in patients with septic shock compared with nonseptic patients as well as healthy subjects (p < .01). The volume of aspirated fluid was significantly reduced in patients with septic shock compared with healthy controls (p = .03), but not in nonseptic patients. The content of bicarbonate was not statistically different in the three groups. No significant correlation was to find between variables of exocrine pancreatic function and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation III score, sepsis-related organ failure assessment score, systolic arterial pressure and mean arterial pressure in septic shock patients. Positive end-expiratory pressure was significantly correlated with the content of trypsin (r2 = 0.52; p = .02). Postmortem examinations of five septic patients who died during the intensive care stay did not reveal gross morphologic alterations of pancreatic tissue. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows two pancreatic enzyme systems, namely, amylase as a carbohydrate splitting enzyme and the proteolytic enzymes trypsin and chymotrypsin, strongly affected in critically ill patients with septic shock.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

A comparative study of the effects of two oral contraceptives containing dienogest or desogestrel on the human immune system.

The effects of two oral contraceptive combinations, dienogest 2.0 mg plus ethinyl estradiol 0.03 mg (Valette) and desogestrel 0.15 mg plus ethinyl estradiol 0.02 mg (Lovelle), on the human immune system were compared over one treatment cycle of 31 patients (n = 15 and n = 16, respectively). Lovelle but not Valette significantly increased the numbers of lymphocytes, monocytes and granulocytes. Valette decreased CD4 lymphocytes after 10 days' treatment; Lovelle had the opposite effect. Lovelle increased CD19 and CD23 after 21 days' treatment. Phagocytic activity was unaffected by either treatment. After 10 days' treatment, both contraceptives reduced serum IgA, IgG and IgM, which remained lowered at day 21 with Lovelle but returned to baseline with Valette. Secretory IgA was unaffected by either contraceptive. Neither treatment affected levels of interleukins, except for a significant difference between the treatment groups for interleukin-6 after 10 days' treatment that disappeared after 21 days' treatment. Levels of non-immunoglobulin serum components fluctuated; macroglobulin was increased with Valette. However, total protein and albumin levels were reduced more with Lovelle than with Valette. Complement factors also fluctuated. There was no evidence for any sustained immunosuppression with either Valette or Lovelle.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Loss of heterozygosity and microsatellite instability as predictive markers for neoadjuvant treatment in gastric carcinoma.

We analyzed a group of gastric carcinomas treated with a cisplatin-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimen for microsatellite instability (MSI) and loss of heterozygosity (LOH) to determine whether there is any relation between microsatellite alterations and therapy response. Pretherapeutic endoscopic biopsies of 37 patients were studied at 11 microsatellite loci. Thirteen (35%) had a complete or partial clinical response (responders), and 24 (65%) had only a minor or no response (nonresponders). High-grade MSI was found in two tumors, both nonresponders, whereas low-grade MSI was found in five biopsies, including three non-responders and two responders. Regarding LOH, the most obvious differences between the groups were observed on chromosome 17p13, the location of the p53 gene, with 7 of 12 (58%) and 3 of 20 (15%) of the informative tumors exhibiting LOH in responders and nonresponders, respectively (P = 0.018). A statistically significant difference was also observed in the fractional allelic loss (FAL) ratio of the groups. Among the 13 responding patients, 7 (54%) tumors exhibited high FAL (>0.5-0.75), 2 (15%) showed medium FAL (>0.25-0.5), and 4 (31%) demonstrated low FAL values (0-0.25), whereas among the 22 nonresponding patients, 2 (9%) tumors showed high FAL, 5 (23%) showed medium FAL, and 15 (68%) showed low FAL (P = 0.020). These data suggest that LOH at chromosome 17p13 is associated with a good clinical response to cisplatin-based chemotherapy, suggesting that altered p53 function might render cells more sensitive to therapy. Furthermore, the association of FAL with therapy response indicates that gastric carcinomas with a high level of chromosomal alteration may be more sensitive to this type of chemotherapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

[Progressive systemic sclerosis - treatment results of extracorporeal photopheresis].

The treatment of progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) is still unsatisfactory. We report on clinical, laboratory and immunological findings in 26 patients with PSS (6 males, 20 women) treated with extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) for 8 cycles in a nonrandomized, uncontrolled study. ECP was performed on two consecutive days once a month. 8-methoxypsoralen concentrations in plasma and buffy coat were monitored by HPLC. We performed a standardized examination programme and determined parameters of inflammation and immune function. Global assessment revealed a partial remission in 18 patients, a stable disease in 8 patients and a slight progression in one patient. In the peripheral blood count a significant increase of CD3-positive NK cells was noted (p=0.03) although the leukocyte count decreased from 2,255 to 1,156 cells/microl. There was a non-significant decrease of elastase (102. 9 vs. 90.4 ng/ml), sulfidoleukotriens (2,255.4 vs. 1,688.9 pg/ml), ICAM-1 (301.9 vs. 276.6 ng/ml), soluble IL-2 receptor (609.0 vs. 422. 3 U/ml), and IL-10 (164.7 vs. 138.7 pg/ml). IL-6 and IL-8 did not show significant changes. The ECP treatment of patients with PSS shows immunomodulatory effects changing levels of pro-inflammatory and cytokine substances. Even after 8 cycles partial remission or stable disease is seen in patients as shown by global assessment and certain clinical symptoms. On the other hand, sufficient data on the long-term outcome are still missing.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Diffuse type gastric and lobular breast carcinoma in a familial gastric cancer patient with an E-cadherin germline mutation.

E-Cadherin alterations have been reported frequently in sporadic diffuse type gastric and lobular breast carcinomas. Germline mutations of this gene have been identified recently in several gastric cancer families. We analyzed seven patients with a family history of the disease who had diffuse type gastric cancer diagnosed before the age of 45 for germline mutations in CDH1, the gene encoding the E-cadherin protein. We identified a frameshift mutation in exon 3 in one patient with a strong family history of gastric cancer. The same germline mutation was found in the patient's mother, who had metachronous development of lobular breast and diffuse type gastric carcinomas. Immunohistochemistry for E-cadherin protein expression revealed an abnormal staining pattern in both of these tumors, suggesting complete inactivation of the cell adhesion molecule. Thus, our finding suggests that besides diffuse type gastric cancer, lobular breast carcinomas may be associated with germline CDH1 mutations.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Procalcitonin expression in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and its modulation by lipopolysaccharides and sepsis-related cytokines in vitro.

Procalcitonin (PCT), the precursor of calcitonin, was recently put forward as a diagnostic marker of systemic bacterial infection and sepsis. The major PCT production site in sepsis still remains unclear. Because of a certain association between increased levels of PCT and leukocyte-derived cytokines during sepsis, we assessed the possible expression of PCT in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and the modulation of PCT by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and various sepsis-related cytokines by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) by using a novel primer set and flow cytometric analysis with intracellular staining with antibodies to the PCT components calcitonin and katacalcin. RT-PCR and flow cytometric analysis demonstrated that PBMCs express PCT both on mRNA and on protein levels. LPS and various proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-2) had pronounced stimulatory effects on the expression of PCT mRNA. Under identical experimental conditions the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 had no effect on the expression of mRNA for PCT. Flow cytometric analysis demonstrated increased intracellular amounts of PCT components after LPS stimulation. Thus we demonstrate for the first time that PCT is expressed in PBMCs. This expression is modulated by bacterial LPS and sepsis-related cytokines. Therefore PBMCs may be among the sources of elevated PCT levels in patients with sepsis.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1999

Katacalcin and calcitonin immunoreactivity in different types of leukocytes indicate intracellular procalcitonin content.

PURPOSE: Procalcitonin is a new marker of severity of nonviral, in particular, bacterial infections. In respect of sepsis its site of production remains unknown. This study was carried out to determine whether subsets of human leukocytes contain procalcitonin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood samples of 17 patients who had demonstrated various degrees of serum procalcitonin levels on the day before evaluation were analyzed for serum procalcitonin by immunoluminometry and for intracellular reaction of monocytes, granulocytes, B-, and T-lymphocytes against katacalcin- or calcitonin-sensitive antibodies. Katacalcin and calcitonin are part of the procalcitonin molecule. Associations of these reactions with serum procalcitonin levels as well as differences between groups with a normal or elevated serum level were analyzed. RESULTS: Intracellular antibody reaction against katacalcin was demonstrated in all cell types. We also found a lower rate of intracellular antibody reaction against calcitonin. Associations of serum procalcitonin with the two antibody reactions were demonstrated. Differences in intracellular reactions in the group with elevated serum procalcitonin were seen with both antibodies compared with a normal control. CONCLUSION: Intracellular antibody reaction against katacalcin supports the notion that various types of leukocytes contain procalcitonin.

Antibody Formation↗
PubMed1999

Status of lipidsoluble antioxidants and TRAP in patients with Crohn's disease and healthy controls.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the status of lipidsoluble antioxidants (carotenoids, tocopherols, ubiquinone), retinol and their correlation with TRAP (total radical-trapping antioxidant potential) in patients with Crohn's disease. DESIGN: Prospective case-control study. SETTING: Clinic of Internal Medicine IV/Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Vienna Medical School. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Plasma antioxidant concentrations were determined in patients with Crohn's disease (n = 24) to evaluate the antioxidant capacity compared to healthy controls (n = 33). Additionally, plasma TRAP (total radical-trapping antioxidant potential) was measured in 13 patients and 22 controls. RESULTS: All investigated carotenoids (alpha-carotene, beta-carotene and cryptoxanthin) were significantly decreased in patients with Crohn's disease (10.2 +/- 9.3, 16.2 +/- 12.4 and 7.8 +/- 5.5 microg/dl) compared to controls (13.3 +/- 5.1, 34.7 +/- 18.8 and 48.5 +/- 38.4 microg/dl respectively), whereas gamma-tocopherol and ubiquinone were significantly elevated in patients (0.14 +/- 0.07 microg/dl and 82.3 +/- 41.5 microg/dl, controls: 0.09 +/- 0.04 microg/dl and 60.8 +/- 30.0 microg/dl, respectively). Retinol and alpha-tocopherol did not significantly differ from controls. The total radical-trapping antioxidant potential (TRAP) was significantly lower in patients (1.11 +/- 0.28 micromol/l) compared to controls (1.34 +/- 0.26 micromol/l). Antioxidants were neither related to duration or severity of disease nor to disease activity. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with Crohn's disease several plasma antioxidant parameters are altered and the total radical-trapping antioxidant potential is decreased.

Adult↗