Mucus phospholipids are decreased in ulcerative colitis. A possible clue to pathogenesis?

Aims: A defective mucus composition represents a key pathogenetic factor for intestinal injury. Phosphatidylcholine (PC) is an essential component contributing to formation of a hydrophobic mucus layer. For evaluation of phosphatidylcholine in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease, the concentration and composition of PC in the rectal mucus of patients with ulcerative colitis was determined. Electrospray ionization (ESI) tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) allows quantification of phosphatidylcholine species and enables us to analyze crude extracts. Methods: Lipid extracts of material obtained by light scr…