[Glucocorticoid treatment in UC].

Topical or systemic administration of glucocorticoid (GC) plays major role in UC therapeutic strategy. For severely-active cases, more than 60 mg/day intravenous regimen has been recommended. Oral prednisolone at 30-40 mg/day dose for moderate severity of UC, or GC enema for localized UC are also used in general practice. However, it is proved by controlled trial that low-dose GC has no effect on preventing the relapse of UC. To improve the QOL in UC patients, all administrated GC must be tapered off after achieving the remission. GC receptor expression is essential for pharmacophysiological effects of GC on target cells. It is reported that beta isoform of the GC receptor contributes the unresponsiveness to GC. Prediction of GC-sensitivity by measuring the expression of GC receptor isoforms in PBMC of UC patients is also discussed.