Postprandial cholylglycine serum concentration and extent of ileal inflammation or resection in Crohn's disease.

Postprandial cholylglycine serum concentration was determined in 45 resected and non-resected patients with Crohn's disease of the distal ileum. Cholylglycine serum concentration after meal stimulus in patients with ileal involvement of more than 30 cm was significantly lower than in controls and in patients with minor spread of inflammation. In patients with inflammation area less than 30 cm, there was a somewhat faster and higher increase and delayed decline of postprandial cholylglycine serum concentration. The present study shows that postprandial cholylglycine serum level gives a good estimate of the extent of ileal inflammation or resection.