Improvement of bone metabolism after infliximab therapy in Crohn's disease

Background: Osteoporosis has received increasing attention as a potential complication of Crohn's disease (CD). Among cytokines TNF-alpha plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of CD by inducing a wide variety of inflammatory responses, including bone resorption. Although infliximab (INX) is capable to cause a rapid beneficial change in the course of CD, only few data are present about its effect on bone metabolism. Aims: Our aim was to evaluate the effect of INX on bone metabolism in CD patients. Patients and methods: 17 patients with fistulizing CD treated with 5mg INX per kg (0, 14th and 42nd day) were stud…