Serum lipopolysaccharide-binding protein in endotoxemic patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: In inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), enhanced inflammatory activity in the gut is thought to increase the risk of bacterial translocation and endotoxemia. By searching for signs of endotoxin-signaling cascade activation, including augmented levels of endotoxin, lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP), and soluble CD14 receptor (sCD14), this prospective study sought to establish whether endotoxemia could contribute to greater clinical activity of disease.

Methods: Concentrations of plasma endotoxin, LBP, sCD14, several cytokines, acute phase proteins and clinical activity indices were determined in 104 patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and 52 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC).