Intensity of Proliferative Processes and Degree of Oxidative Stress in the Mucosa of the Ileum in Crohn’s Disease

Abstract

The intensity of proliferative processes (estimated from Ki-67 expression) and degree oxidative stress (chemiluminescence assay) in biopsy specimens from the terminal portion of the ileal mucosa were studied in patients with Crohn's disease. Crohn's disease is characterized by hyper-regenerative processes in the ileal mucosa. The labeling index (Ki-67 expression) in biopsy specimens from the intact ileal mucosa in patients with the irritable bowel syndrome (reference group) was 10.64±0.62%. The corresponding values in patients receiving monotherapy with mesalazine (group 1) and combination therapy with mesalazine and dalargin (group 2) were 24.05±1.17 and 22.90±0.92%, respectively. Analysis of free radical oxidation showed that this state is accompanied oxidative stress. Spontaneous and H(2)O(2)-induced luminol-dependent chemiluminescence in biopsy specimens from the ileal mucosa was 1.8-2.3-fold higher compared to the reference group. After therapy, the labeling index in groups 1 and 2 decreased to 18.60±1.18 and 14.38±0.81%, respectively. Histologically, normalization of the disease symptoms was more pronounced after combination therapy. The decrease in free radical oxidation in this group of patients was more pronounced than after mesalazine monotherapy. Our results suggest that oxidative stress plays a role in the hyper-regenerative reaction.