Inflammation and Bowel Diseases

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of idiopathic chronic inflammatory intestinal conditions. The two main well known diseases are Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), both of which have an overlapping and distinct clinical and pathological symptoms.

Biologics stop or reduce the process of inflammation by inhibiting key cell chemicals involved in triggering inflammation. In IBD patients, the use of biologics blocks inflammation, it is used as a strategy for treatment. There are different types of biologics that are used to treat Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis: Anti-TNF biologics, and antibodies to the p40 subunit of IL-12 and IL-23 are among the used therapies. Treatment for many other complex conditions, including arthritis, cancer, osteoporosis, psoriasis, HIV, multiple sclerosis, and more are a current practice in Canada (Health Canada Approved).

These diseases are common, studies show up to 1 in 198 persons for ulcerative colitis and 1 in 310 persons for Crohn’s disease. Epidemiologic reports, have shown an increased incidences. The treatment has become more complex with the introduction of monoclonal antibodies against TNF that highlights the importance for conducting a laboratory screening for the cytokine milieu before and after treatment.

IBD involves the activation of inflammatory cells, such as macrophages, lymphocytes, neutrophils, and eosinophils, which are a source of different kinds of inflammatory mediators such as histamine, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-𝛼), interleukins, IL-1𝛽, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-17, IL-23, prostaglandins and leukotrienes. Several studies have observed significant elevation of cytokine and chemokine levels including IL-6, IL-8 in patients with IBD that confirms the disease outcome.

Ask your doctor about the Biomarker testing. The biomarker's testing as preventive medicine: a new approach to stay healthy. Biomarkers are useful for:

• Disease prevention and screening
• Monitoring disease progress and response to treatment
• Drug selection

Our laboratory services are for informational purposes only. It is not the intention of Canada Metabolic Inflammation Diagnostics Inc. to provide specific medical advice but rather to provide users with information to better understand their health. Specific medical advice including diagnosis and treatment will not be provided. Always seek the advice of a trained health professional for medical adivce, diagnosis or treatment.