ALB and inflammatory bowel disease: Since IBD is associated with alterations and dysfunction of the intestinal microvasculature with leakage from the colonic microvasculature at focal inflammatory regions33, 34, we explored the utility of a gadolinium-based MRI contrast agent (gadofosveset trisodium; Ablavar) that reversibly binds to serum albumin and has been used clinically for magnetic resonance angiography to diagnose vascular diseases35, 36, 37, 38.