Transforming growth factor beta(1) and prostaglandin E2 concentrations are associated with bone formation markers in ulcerative colitis patients

Osteoporosis is a significant complication of a multifactoral etiology associated with inflammatory bowel disease. The aim of study was to evaluate the relationships between bone mineral density as well as bone turnover markers and inflammatory activity modulators (i.e., PGE2 and TGFβ1) in ulcerative colitis (UC). Twenty-one active ulcerative colitis subjects and 14 healthy individuals were included into the study. We observed no significant differences in serum concentrations of osteoprotegerin and osteocalcin, as well as bone mineral density between UC patients and healthy individuals. Plasma concentrations of PGE2, TGFβ1 and TNF-α were significantly higher in UC patients than in controls. Serum osteocalcin demonstrated a positive correlation with both serum PGE2 and plasma TGFβ1. Moreover there was significant correlation between osteoprotegerin and TGFβ1 as well as serum TNF-α concentrations. In conclusion a positive association between PGE2 and TGFβ1 and bone formation markers-osteoprotegerin and osteocalcin, as well as a comparable BMD in UC patients and healthy individuals was shown. Our results may indicate that increase of PGE2 as well as TGFβ1 concentrations may play a protective role against bone loss in ulcerative colitis patients.