Serum concentrations of von Willebrand factor and soluble thrombomodulin indicate alteration of endothelial function in inflammatory bowel diseases.

Serum concentrations of immunoreactive von Willebrand factor (vWF) and soluble thrombomodulin (TM), and vWF multimer patterns were measured to assess endothelial function in patients with inflammatory intestinal diseases. In Crohn's disease and acute infective diarrhea, vWF concentrations were significantly higher than in normal controls. In all patient groups, multimeric analysis of vWF and the concentration of serum TM were not different from normal controls. The results indicate alteration of endothelial function in inflammatory intestinal disorders. They may be compatible with the presence of localized vasculitis, but indicate that systemic endothelial destruction does not occur in inflammatory bowel disease.