459 EFFECTS OF CROMOLYN ON INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE

Clinical and histological effects of Cromolyn (DSCG) were studied in 12 patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IFBD) (5 Crohn's and 7 UC). Patients had refractory disease for at least 1 year. Treatment varied from 6-18 months and was not associated with adverse effects. Granulated mast cells were estimated in the lamina propria of normal control specimens (22) and others with IFBD. Biopsies were classified as normal, healed or chronic active. Index of disease activity was recorded for each patient. Results were in mast cells/mm2: Normal-343; UC-323 and Crohn's-304. During DSCG treatment: in Crohn's disease 3 of 5 (60%) improved clinically and 2 had progressive disease. Those who improved showed a mean increase of 105 mast cells/mm2(from 267 to 372). In UC, 6 of 7 improved clinically (85%). Four of these showed a mean increase of 148 mast cells/mm2(from 239 to 387/mm2). Two who improved clinically but had no increase in mast cells had active histologic disease pre and post-treatment. Overall, those who responded best to drug both by clinical and histologic criteria showed an increase in mast cells. DSCG is of value in the therapy of IFBD, and its effects may be directly related to its action on mast cells.