Lipocalin-2 (LCN2), Nitric Oxide Synthase 2 (NOS2), Mucin 2 (MUC2), Mucin 5AC (MUC5AC), and Trefoil factor 1 (TFF1) were overexpressed in the untreated IBD patients compared to the non-IBD patients and that 5ASA and anti-TNF-a treatment reduced these expressions. Here, LCN2 is linked to inflammatory bowel disease.