Quantitive Cytokine mRNA Expression Profiles in the Colonic Mucosa of Patients with Steroid Naïve Ulcerative Colitis During Active and Quiescent Disease

Abstract

During active UC, all 4 cytokine mRNA levels were high; only IL-6 and IL-8 mRNAs decreased to normal levels during remission. IL-8 mRNA was high even at sites of endoscopically quiescent UC during active disease. Steroid naïve patients respond well to granulocytapheresis.