Investigation of genome instability in exfoliated colonic epithelial cells and in mitogen-stimulated lymphocytes of patients with ulcerative colitis.

Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the micronucleus (MN), nucleoplasmic bridges (NPBs) and nuclear buds (NBUDs) in the mitogen-stimulated lymphocytes of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). In addition, we assessed MN frequency in exfoliated colonic epithelial cells obtained from both the diseased and healthy colonic mucosa of patients.

Design: The study was conducted in 22 newly diagnosed patients with UC and in 22 healthy controls.