Anti-tumor necrosis factor treatment restores the gut barrier in Crohn's disease

• DOI: 10.1111/j.1572-0241.2002.05914.x
• Publication Date: 2004-03-26T14:14:21Z
• Authors: Peter Suenaert; Veerle Bulteel; Liesbeth Lemmens; Maja Noman; Benny Geypens; Gert Van Assche; Karel Geboes; Jan L. Ceuppens; Paul Rutgeerts
• Keywords: Intestinal Permeability; Proinflammatory cytokine; Interquartile range

A primary defect of the tight junctions and, hence, increased intestinal epithelial permeability has been proposed as a basic pathogenic event in Crohn's disease. Challenge mucosal immune system by commensal gut flora would then result chronic inflammation. Alternatively, could be Our aim was to study refractory disease before and after treatment with monoclonal chimeric antibodies directed against tumor necrosis factor (TNF) investigate whether abnormal persists control inflammation.Twenty-three patients active were evaluated 4 wk single infusion 5 mg/kg infliximab. Intestinal studied measurement urinary excretion 51Cr-EDTA oral intake.The permeation through small intestine (1.63% interquartile range [IQR] 1.06-2.07) overall (3.27% IQR 2.40-4.38) therapy decreased significantly infliximab values (1.04% 0.74-1.54 2.42% 2.03-2.80, respectively) those found normal volunteers (1.12% 0.85-1.58 2.28% 1.88-2.86, respectively).Inhibiting proinflammatory cytokine dramatically reduces inflammation largely restores barrier data confirm central role TNF modulation inflammatory conditions vivo.