Crohn's disease is a disorder of the intestine, causing chronic inflammation and weakness of the gastrointestinal tract. The prevailing theory is that Crohn's disease is caused by an overactive immune response which activates the inflammation. Now research reports that Crohn's disease is caused by a weakened immune response, and may be helped with the erectile dysfunction drug Viagra.
The study, published in the Lancet, investigated inflammatory responses (white blood cell levels) in Crohn's patients and healthy participants (controls) after intestinal and skin trauma. Researchers also examined whether drugs like Viagra (which increase blood flow) may help. Researchers at University College London, UK, conducted intestinal and skin trauma tests and injected heat-killed E. coli (a gut bacteria) into the forearms of Crohn's patients and controls. The researchers also administered 50 milligrams of Viagra to 10 Crohn's patients after injecting them with E. coli.
Researchers found that the Crohn's patients had significantly lower levels of inflammatory white blood cells and proteins, than the control group. Findings also revealed that blood flow to the E. coli infected area improved in the Crohn's patients treated with Viagra. Since increased blood flow is an important component of the inflammatory response, Viagra may be a useful treatment for Crohn's. However, more research is needed to determine if Viagra is an effective alternative to current treatment.
The study authors suggest that individuals who have a weak immune system and carry the CARD15 gene linked to Crohn's, may be susceptible to getting the disease. "In Crohn's disease, a constitutionally weak immune response predisposes to accumulation of intestinal contents that breach the mucosal barrier of the bowel wall, resulting in granuloma formation and chronic inflammation," the study authors write. "Current treatment of secondary chronic inflammation might exaggerate the underlying lesion and promote chronic disease."
REFERENCES:
1. Marks DJ et al. Defective acute inflammation in Crohn's disease: a clinical investigation. Lancet 2006 Feb 25;367(9511):668-78.
Posted by Elaine Gavalas on July 15, 2006 12:28 PM
