Thermal grill illusion of pain in patients with chronic pain: a clinical marker of central sensitization?

The thermal grill illusion of pain (TGIP) is a paradoxical burning pain sensation elicited by the simultaneous application of innocuous cutaneous warm and cold stimuli with a thermode ("thermal grill") consisting of interlaced heated and cooled bars. Its neurophysiological mechanisms are unclear, but TGIP may have some mechanisms in common with pathological pain, including central sensitization in particular, through the involvement of N-methyl- d -aspartate receptors. However, few studies have investigated TGIP in patients with chronic pain and its clinical relevance is uncertain.

Effects of a 3-mo consumption of short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides on parameters of colorectal carcinogenesis in patients with or without small or large colorectal adenomas.

Intervention studies of colorectal adenoma recurrence have demonstrated the need for surrogate markers of the cancer risk. Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (sc-FOS) have protective actions on colon carcinogenesis in animal models. We investigated differences in biological markers between adenoma and adenoma-free subjects, before and after 3 mo of daily intake of 10 g sc-FOS, within a multicenter study.

Fecal primary bile acids and serum cholesterol are associated with colorectal adenomas.

In order to identify biomarkers of colorectal tumors, 20 subjects with colorectal adenomas were compared with 20 controls as regards fecal parameters (pH, short-chain fatty acids, bile acids, and sterols), blood parameters (bile acids, cholesterol, triglycerides, glycemia and insulinemia), and rectal cell proliferation. Variables were compared by unconditional logistic regression, controlling for gender. There were significant and positive associations between risk of adenoma and total fecal primary bile acids and serum cholesterol, with odds ratios for the third versus first tertile = 9.

Homocysteine, cardiovascular disease risk factors, and habitual diet in the French Supplementation with Antioxidant Vitamins and Minerals Study.

Background: An elevated plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) concentration seems to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Objective: We evaluated the determinants of tHcy in healthy French adults.

Design: tHcy was measured by HPLC and fluorometric detection in 1139 women and 931 men aged 35-60 y.

Contribution of mineral waters to dietary calcium and magnesium intake in a French adult population.

Objective: To assess the contribution of mineral water containing different amounts of calcium and magnesium to the total dietary intakes of these minerals

Design: Matched case control study using data issued from the Supplementation en Vitamines et Minéraux Antioxydants (SU.VI.MAX) cohort.

Intraluminal modulation of gastric sensitivity to distension: effects of hydrochloric acid and meal.

Conscious sensations in response to gut distensions may be modulated by temporospatial interactions among different stimuli. This study investigated whether symptoms induced by gastric distension may be modified by hydrochloric acid (HCl) gastric infusion and meal ingestion. In nine healthy subjects, fixed pressure (isobaric) and fixed volume (isovolumetric) distensions were performed during continuous (4 ml/min) intragastric saline or HCl infusion, during fasting and after meal ingestion, until the maximal distension step defined as discomfort or a predefined maximal volume.

Antibiotic efficacy in small intestinal bacterial overgrowth-related chronic diarrhea: a crossover, randomized trial.

Background & Aims: No controlled trial has examined the clinical efficacy of antibiotics in small bowel bacterial overgrowth.

Methods: Ten patients with bacterial overgrowth-related diarrhea underwent the following five 7-day treatment periods: untreated (control period), then placebo, and subsequently, in random order and blinded fashion, norfloxacin (800 mg/day), amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (1500 mg/day), and Saccharomyces boulardii (1500 mg/day). A hydrogen breath test was performed on the first and last day of each period.

Regional effects of cholecystokinin octapeptide on colonic phasic and tonic motility in healthy humans.

The aim of this study was to assess in nine healthy subjects the effects of CCK octapeptide (CCK-8) on colonic tonic activity, measured by a barostat, and phasic activity, measured by manometry. On 2 consecutive days, recordings were performed in the unprepared proximal and distal colons during intravenous infusion of saline and CCK-8 at 5, 20, and 40 ng. kg-1.

Tonic and phasic motor activity in the proximal and distal colon of healthy humans.

In healthy humans, meals stimulate phasic and tonic motor activity in the unprepared distal colon. The response of the proximal colon remains unknown. In this study, we assessed the effect of a liquid meal on proximal and distal colonic motor activity.

Metabolic effects of digestible and partially indigestible cornstarch: a study in the absorptive and postabsorptive periods in healthy humans.

To compare the effects of digestible (pregelatinized) and partially indigestible (retrograded) cornstarches on some metabolic indexes, we studied eight healthy volunteers during two periods separated by 1 wk. In each period, fasting volunteers consumed at 0800 the test meal containing either the digestible or partially indigestible cornstarch; blood and breath were sampled in the absorptive period for 8 h. To study its late effects, the same test meal as that served at 0800 was given again at 2200, and blood and breath were sampled for 3 h in the postabsorptive period the next morning, i.

Glucose does not facilitate the absorption of sorbitol perfused in situ in the human small intestine.

Sorbitol is better absorbed in the small intestine when ingested concomitantly with glucose. The aim of this study was to test in situ the effect of glucose on the absorption of sorbitol in the human small intestine, using the perfusion technique. The sorbitol absorption of three test solutions, perfused in a random order, was measured in a 30-cm segment of jejunum in six healthy volunteers (4 males and 2 females).

Symptomatic response to varying levels of fructo-oligosaccharides consumed occasionally or regularly.

Objective: To evaluate in 14 healthy volunteers the gastrointestinal tolerance to an indigestible bulking sweetener containing fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS).

Design: In order to mimic their usual pattern of consumption, FOS were ingested throughout the day either occasionally (once a week, first period) or regularly (every day, second period). In the two patterns of consumption, daily sugar doses were increased until diarrhoea and/or a symptom graded 3 (i.

Sorbitol absorption in the healthy human small intestine is increased by the concomitant ingestion of glucose or lipids.

Objective: To test the effect of the concomitant ingestion of glucose or lipids on sorbitol absorption in the human small intestine using the hydrogen breath test.

Method: After an overnight fast, on four occasions separated by at least 1 week 14 healthy volunteers randomly ingested 20 g sorbitol alone, 20 g sorbitol and 20 g glucose, 20 g sorbitol and 9 g lipids, and 10 g lactulose. Hydrogen concentration was measured in end-expiratory samples every 10 min for 3 h, and then every 30 min for 5 h.

Abnormal perception of visceral pain in response to gastric distension in chronic idiopathic dyspepsia. The irritable stomach syndrome.

Sensory and pressure responses to gastric distension were evaluated in 24 consecutive patients suffering from chronic idiopathic dyspepsia and 20 healthy subjects. A latex balloon was placed in the proximal stomach and inflated by increments of 100 ml of air up to a maximal volume of 800 ml. Symptom response and intragastric pressure-volume curve were recorded during the gradual balloon distension.

[Clinical tolerance, intestinal absorption, and energy value of four sugar alcohols taken on an empty stomach].

Sugar alcohols are incompletely digested in the human small intestine. The residual amounts reaching the colon are digested by colonic bacteria or excreted in stools. Clinical tolerance and energy value of sugar alcohols are related to their respective rates of digestion in the small intestine and the colon.

Digestion and absorption in the human intestine of three sugar alcohols.

The digestion and absorption of three sugar alcohols, consumed chronically in three identical daily postprandial doses, were evaluated in six volunteers during three 11-day periods. Each period included a 3-day adaptation period during which sugar alcohol doses were increased, a 4-day equilibration period, a 2-day stool collection period, and a 2-day intubation period. From day 4, the daily administered amounts were either 30 g pure sorbitol, 57 g maltitol containing 30 g sorbitol, or 69 g Lycasin 80/55 (Roquette, Lestrem, France), which is a hydrogenated glucose syrup also containing 30 g sorbitol.

Effect of jejunal infusion of nutrients on gastrointestinal transit and hormonal response in man.

The effects of jejunal infusion of nutrients on gastric emptying and secretion, intestinal transit and hormone release were studied in human volunteers. Two caloric loads, 1.3 and 3.

Inhibitory effect of high caloric load of carbohydrates or lipids on human pancreatic secretions: a jejunal brake.

Effects of jejunal infusion of a saline solution, a protein meal, and a mixed protein and carbohydrate meal on biliopancreatic secretions were compared in six healthy volunteers. Protein infusion stimulated biliopancreatic secretions whereas carbohydrate infusion inhibited these secretions compared with saline infusion. The roles of lipid, carbohydrate, and caloric load on the inhibition of pancreatic secretions by jejunal infusion of nutrients was investigated in six other healthy volunteers.

Almitrine bismesylate disposition in the human digestive tract.

The absorption of almitrine from the upper gastrointestinal tract has been evaluated in 6 healthy volunteers by an intubation technique. Almitrine bismesylate dissolved in malic acid was introduced into the stomach after homogenization with a meal containing the marker 14C-polyethylene glycol (PEG) 4000. Unlabeled PEG 4000 was infused into the second part of duodenum throughout the experiment.

Effect of different caloric loads in human jejunum on meal-stimulated and nonstimulated biliopancreatic secretion.

The effects on biliopancreatic secretion of two caloric loads (1.3 and 3.3 kcal/min of Realmentyl: proteins 18%, lipids 27%, carbohydrates 55%), infused into the jejuna of 10 healthy men, were compared with those of a control solution.

Metformin in the digestive tract.

After ingestion of metformin, a drug of the biguanide class, there are gastrointestinal effects in the form of nausea and vomiting, and about 30% of the drug is recovered in feces. The purpose of this work was to explain these two phenomena. Two sets of experiments were carried out.

Starch absorption by healthy man evaluated by lactulose hydrogen breath test.

The amounts of hydrogen produced from starch and lactulose were compared to assess the accuracy of the hydrogen breath test with lactulose as standard to quantify starch malabsorption. The mean amounts of hydrogen produced from starch and lactulose were not different in fecal homogenates and in breath excretion after carbohydrate infusions into the cecum. Known amounts of starch infused into the cecum of 18 subjects were compared with amounts calculated from the total excess excretion of hydrogen in breath computed in relation to hydrogen production after the ingestion of 10 g lactulose; calculated amounts were 3.

Jejunal and ileal absorption of oxprenolol in man: influence of nutrients and digestive secretions on jejunal absorption and systemic availability.

1 Study I evaluated the absorption of oxprenolol in the ileum, compared to jejunum, in healthy volunteers by an intestinal perfusion technique. Around 80 mg of drug were delivered as a saline solution directly in the small bowel. 2 Samples taken 30 cm distally to the site of perfusion showed that 63% of perfused oxprenolol was absorbed in the jejunum and 48% in the ileum; the differences were significant.