Expression of catalytic proteasome subunits in the gut of patients with Crohn's disease.

Background And Purpose: Activation of the transcription factor NF-kappaB by proteasomes and subsequent nuclear translocation of cytoplasmatic complexes play a crucial role in the intestinal inflammation. Proteasomes have a pivotal function in NF-kappaB activation by mediating degradation of inhibitory IkappaB proteins and processing of NF-kappaB precursor proteins. This study aims to analyze the expression of the human proteasome subunits in colonic tissue of patients with Crohn's disease.

The HIV protease inhibitors saquinavir, ritonavir, and nelfinavir induce apoptosis and decrease barrier function in human intestinal epithelial cells.

Background And Aims: Diarrhoea is a frequent adverse effect of HIV protease inhibitors (PIs) which may be due to intestinal barrier disruption. We investigated whether tight junction dysregulation, apoptosis or necrosis are responsible for this epithelial damage.

Methods: Saquinavir, nelfinavir, and ritonavir were added to the mucosal or serosal side of HT-29/B6 colon cell monolayers.

Cytokine-dependent transcriptional down-regulation of epithelial sodium channel in ulcerative colitis.

Background & Aims: The main limiting factor for sodium absorption in distal colon is the amiloride-sensitive epithelial sodium channel (ENaC). This study aimed to characterize mechanisms involved in the dysregulation of ENaC expression in ulcerative colitis (UC).

Methods: Epithelial preparations from surgically removed inflamed and control sigmoid colons were used.