Overexpression of the fragile histidine triad (FHIT) gene in inflammatory bowel disease.

Objective: FHIT gene encodes human diadenosine triphosphate hydrolase involved in the regulation of cell cycle and nucleotide metabolism and is a candidate tumor suppressor gene.

Aim: To investigate expression of FHIT gene at the mRNA and protein levels in sporadic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Materials And Methods: FHIT mRNA was quantified by the validated real-time PCR (QPCR) and FHIT protein was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in mucosal biopsies of 139 ulcerative colitis (UC), 19 Crohn's disease (CD) and 37 control patients.

Results: Significant FHIT gene overexpression was found in 78% of active UC but not in CD. IHC showed comparable results to QPCR.

Conclusion: The local up-regulation of FHIT gene and protein expression in active UC may represent an adequate response against inflammatory challenge of epithelial cell homeostasis and protect against DNA damage and cell cycle disturbances.