Study of Effects of L-Arginine in Colitis and Colon Cancer
Study of Effects of L-Arginine in Colitis and Colon Cancer
The purpose of this study is to look at the importance of L-Arginine in the digestive tract.
 L-Arginine is an amino acid and is important in making proteins within the cell.

 The evaluation of colon tissue, blood, urine, diet, health history, and symptoms will help us
 learn more about L-Arginine and ulcerative colitis. The investigators believe these studies
 will provide new insights into the treatment for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (ulcerative
 colitis) and nutritional needs. The investigators plan to enroll 200 participants in this
 study over the next two years.
Amino acids are being measured in colon tissues and in serum by high performance liquid
 chromotography (HPLC). Cytokines and chemokines are being measured in colon tissues and in
 serum by Luminex assay. Cytokines and chemokines are also being measured in colon tissues by
 real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of mRNA expression.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  18 years of age or older

 -  Colonoscopy for one of the following: clinical indications, disease assessment, or
 surveillance for dysplasia (as in ulcerative colitis)

 -  Screening for cancer

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  refusal to participate

 -  age less than 18 years at time of colonoscopy