Increased prostaglandin E2 and leukotriene B4 synthesis in isolated colonic mucosal cells in inflammatory bowel disease : A preliminary report

The synthesis of prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) and leukotriene B 4 (LTB 4 ) in colonic mucosal cells was investigated in 7 patients and 10 controls. Biopsies obtained from the descending colon were isolated biochemically by a special technique and the suspension of isolated colonic cells was incubated during 45 min. Compared with healthy subjects, patients with an inflammatory bowel disease showed a significantly increased PGE 2 production. The LTB 4 synthesis was enhanced as well, but this change was not statistical. We conclude that PGE 2 is the dominant eicosanoid during less severe inflammatory bowel disease. Age and gender did not influence PGE 2 or LTB 4 synthesis.