Serum Transforming Growth Factor-Beta (TGF-β ) as Diagnostic Biomarker for Ulcerative Colitis: An Association Study With ABO Blood Group and Extra Intestinal Symptoms

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a recurrent and remitting inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Anti-inflammatory cytokines such as transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β ) are part of the pathophysiology of UC; these cytokines set off a specific immune response. Extra-intestinal manifestations (EIMs) reported occurrence differs from 14% to 47%, and accounts for the majority of related conditions in UC. This study aims to find the correlation of ulcerative colitis with TGF-β , ABO blood group and EIMs. Objectives: To determine the serum level of TGF-β in both groups by sandwich ELISA, determine blood group by agglutination slide method, identify extra intestinal manifestation in UC patients. Methods: enzyme linked immune-sorbent assay was used to assessment serum levels of TGF-β in compliance with the manufacturer's instructions. Agglutination slide method used to detect ABO and rhesus (Rh) group. Results: non-significant difference in apparently healthy individual compared to UC patients regarding to occupation, smoking, blood group and Rh group as P-value for them was >0.05. UC patients exhibited significant lower concentration mean TGF-β (31.57 ± 23.86 pg/ml) compared to control group (42.93 ± 25.35 pg/ml) (P-value = 0.02). Conclusion: The findings indicate a decreased serum concentration of TGF-β in UC patient compared to seeming healthy individual with no significant link to clinical symptoms or ABO blood group. These results suggest that TGF-β play role in the pathogenesis of UC independent of clinical presentation or blood type.