Introduction: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been developing worldwide as a health problem over the years with an increasing prevalence. Although its clinical features are well described, its etiology and pathogenesis remain obscure. Several immunological factors are involved in the course of IBD; one of these factors is the increase in TNF-α, whose role has been proven in inflammatory processes. TNF-α promotes new surface receptors in endothelial cells of the veins and facilitates the removal of leukocytes from the endothelial layer. This action causes leukocyte accumulation in the inflammation site. Other roles of TNF-α include the stimulation of mononuclear phagocytes in the secretion of other inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1 and IL-6. TNF-α increases in many diseases, including IBD. The present study was conducted to compare the expression of TNF-α in the intestinal tissue of the inflammation site in IBD patients and healthy subjects. The results of this study can lead to a more accurate understanding of the pathogenesis of the disease as well as identification of more effective therapeutic strategies.
Methods: In this study, 30 pathological slides of 30 patients with IBD and 30 pathological slides of 30 healthy subjects (control group) were used for the analysis of TNF-α through immunohistochemical technique.
Results: The results showed that the number of TNF-α positive cells in patients with IBD was significantly higher than healthy subjects (control group) (P<0.001). On the other hand, the number of TNF-α positive cells in patients with Crohn's disease was not significantly different from patients with ulcerative colitis (P<0.97). In addition, there was a significant correlation between the number of TNF-α positive cells and the phase of the disease (Remission phase and flare phase) (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, changes in the expression of TNF-α can be considered as a prognostic factor regarding the susceptibility of individuals to IBD and as a biomarker to differentiate two phases of Remission and flare in Iranian population. Nevertheless, more research is required to examine these results.