MICROPARTICLES AND SELECTINS IN INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Microparticles are small pieces of cells that are released from white blood cells, platelets, and the cells that line blood vessels (endothelial cells) during inflammation. Microparticles have been found to be increased in people with multiple sclerosis, heart attacks, bacterial infections in the blood, and several other diseases in which inflammation is important. Microparticles appear to help white blood cells and platelets stick to the walls of blood vessels in areas of inflammation. This can result in increased inflammation and blood clotting. Selectins are adhesion molecules that help microparticles and blood cells stick to blood vessel walls. Selectins appear to be increased in some inflammatory diseases. Microparticles and selectins have not been carefully studied in inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis and Crohns disease. This study will examine (1) whether people with inflammatory bowel disease have increased microparticles and selectins in their blood and (2) whether people who are more sick with inflammatory bowel disease have more microparticles and selectins in their blood than people who are less sick. If this is the case, treatments that reduce microparticles or selectins in the blood might be beneficial in inflammatory bowel diseases. We will ask 60 patients with ulcerative colitis (20 with mild, 20 with moderate, and 20 with severe disease activity), 60 patients with Crohns disease (20 with mild, 20 with moderate, and 20 with severe disease activity), and 30 patients at the GI clinic with no inflammatory disease, infection, or active cancer to participate. Each subject will be asked to fill out a demographics form, and a disease activity form if they have inflammatory bowel disease. We will then draw 6 mL of blood (about 1 teaspoon) for the measurement of microparticles and selectins. If they are going to have a blood draw for clinical testing, we will do it at the same time, so that they do not have to have two blood draws. Their participation in the study will then be complete.