Increased Luminal Release of Hyaluronan in Uninvolved Jejunum in Active Crohn’s Disease but Not in Inactive Disease or in Relatives

Abstract

Recently obtained data suggest that there is a subclinic inflammatory activity in the apparently uninvolved intestinal mucosa in Crohn’s disease (CD). As CD is characterized by an activation of connective tissue and fibrosis, we investigated the extent to which hyaluronan (HA), an essential component of the connective tissue, was released into the lumen of an isolated jejunal segment in CD patients and in relatives. Patients with active CD of the terminal ileum (CD activity index, CDAI, > 150; n = 14), patients with CD in remission (CDAI