Fecal Nervonic Acid as a Biomarker for Diagnosing and Monitoring Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Author Information
Author(s): Kunst Claudia, Elger Tanja, Loibl Johanna, Huss Muriel, Kandulski Arne, Krautbauer Sabrina, Müller Martina, Liebisch Gerhard, Tews Hauke Christian, Buechler Christa
Primary Institution: University Hospital Regensburg
Hypothesis
The study aimed to quantify fecal levels of nervonic acid and its association with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) activity.
Conclusion
Fecal nervonic acid may serve as a novel specific biomarker for diagnosing and monitoring IBD.
Supporting Evidence
- Patients with IBD exhibited elevated fecal nervonic acid levels compared to healthy controls.
- A fecal nervonic acid concentration of 0.49 µmol/g distinguished IBD patients from controls.
- Fecal nervonic acid levels showed a positive correlation with both C-reactive protein and fecal calprotectin.
- IBD patients treated with corticosteroids or interleukin-12/23 antibodies had higher levels of fecal nervonic acid.
Takeaway
Doctors can check a substance called nervonic acid in poop to help figure out if someone has a tummy problem called inflammatory bowel disease.
Methodology
Stool samples were collected from 62 patients with IBD and 17 healthy controls, and fatty acids were quantified using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry.
Limitations
The study collected only a single fecal sample and did not quantify sphingolipids in patients' stools.
Participant Demographics
62 patients with IBD (38 with Crohn’s disease and 24 with ulcerative colitis) and 17 healthy controls.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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