Intestinal Immunoglobulins in Ulcerative Colitis

Abstract

Söltoft, J., Binder, V. & Gudmand-Höyer, E. 1973. Intestinal Immunoglobulins in Ulcerative Colitis. Scand. J. Gastroent. 8, 293-300.

24 patients with ulcerative colitis were examined during an exacerbation. Sixteen of the patients were examined again when their disease was inactive. Jejunal and rectal mucosal biopsies, serum, jejunal juice, and whole saliva were obtained. Immunoglobulin determinations and quantitation of immunoglobulin-containing cells were carried out. In active ulcerative colitis a slightly increased number of IgA cells was found in jejunum, whereas jejunal juice IgA was decreased. In rectum the area of both IgA and especially IgG cells was increased. In inactive stages the jejunal IgA content was still decreased whereas the jejunal mucosa was normal. In rectum an elevated IgG cell number persisted.

Key-words::

• Immunofluorescence
• immunoglobulins
• jejunal biopsies
• jejunal juice
• quantitation
• rectal biopsies
• ulcerative colitis
• whole saliva