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

The synthesis of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and leukotriene B4 (LTB4) 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 PGE2 production. The LTB4 synthesis was enhanced as well, but this change was not statistical. We conclude that PGE2 is the dominant eicosanoid during less severe inflammatory bowel disease. Age and gender did not influence PGE2 or LTB4 synthesis.