P144 Serum neutrophil gelatinase B-associated lipocalin–matrix metalloproteinase-9 (NGAL-MMP-9) complex as a surrogate marker for mucosal healing in ulcerative colitis

Background: Epithelial barrier dysfunction and impaired mucosal healing have been reported as key factors in the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Syndecan-1 is a multifunctional extracellular matrix proteoglycan, which mediates basic fibroblast growth factor activity and plays a central role in tissue repair and in maintaining the normal intestinal epithelial barrier. Shedding of syndecan-1 ectodomain from the intestinal epithelium is highly regulated by inflammation. The objective of this pilot study is to determine, for the first time, the concentration of serum soluble syndecan-1 in IBD patients compared to healthy controls. Methods:Aprospective study was performed from January 2012 to October 2012 in our center. A total of 41 patients with IBD [18 ulcerative colitis (UC), 23 Crohn’s disease (CD)] and 16 age and sex matched healthy controls were enrolled. Patients were divided into 3 different groups: active disease on treatment, active disease untreated and inactive disease on treatment. Disease activity was assessed by the Crohn’s Disease Activity Index (CDAI), partial Mayo score and C-reactive protein (CRP). Serum concentrations of soluble syndecan-1 were analyzed by ELISA. Results: IBD patients had significantly higher serum syndecan-1 levels than controls (29.5±13.5 ng/mL vs. 21.2±10.4 ng/mL; p = 0.03). The highest levels of syndecan-1 were found in the active-untreated group (p = 0.006) compared to control. The active-treated group had significantly lower syndecan-1 levels than the active-untreated group (26.8±7.9 ng/mL vs. 38.5±19.4 ng/ml; p = 0.017). No difference in syndecan-1 levels was found between the non active-treated group in comparison to control (26.1±14.7 ng/mL vs. 21.2±10.4 ng/mL; p = 0.34). Conclusions: Our data show that serum syndecan-1 levels are increased in patients with IBD as compare to healthy controls. The markedly increased syndecan-1 in active-untreated IBD patients may provide an additional tool in assessing disease activity especially in naive patients. Moreover, these preliminary data suggest that serum syndecan-1 levels are affected by drug treatment. Further investigation of this molecule and its applicability as a biomarker in IBD is warranted. *The first two authors contributed equally to this study.