Role of fibroblast growth factor-2 in the expression of matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases in human intestinal myofibroblasts.

Background And Aims: The coordinated expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) plays a crucial role in tissue remodeling. We investigated the effects of fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 on the secretion of MMPs and TIMPs in human intestinal subepithelial myofibroblasts (SEMFs).

Methods: The secretion of MMP-s and TIMPs was determined by ELISA or Western blotting.

The effects of lectins on indomethacin-induced small intestinal ulceration.

Growth factors, such as epidermal growth factor and keratinocyte growth factor, have considerable therapeutic potential for repairing mucosal injury in the intestine when given systemically. Recently, several lectins have been shown to have trophic effects on the intestine when given orally. We examined the effects of phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and concanavalin A (Con-A) on indomethacin-induced intestinal injury in rat.

Epimorphin expression in human colonic myofibroblasts.

Epimorphin is a membrane-associated protein that has been postulated to regulate epithelial morphogenesis in several tissues. However, epimorphin expression in the human intestine has not been fully investigated. In this study, we investigated epimorphin expression in the inflamed mucosa of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Breath malodor in an asthmatic patient caused by side-effects of medication: a case report and review of the literature.

Objective: The purpose of this report is to document the presence of dimethyl sulfide in mouth air as the predominant volatile sulfur compound (VSC) in an asthmatic patient who was regularly taking suplatast tosilate.

Study Design: The patient was a 33-year-old woman who complained of bad breath. She had been diagnosed as having asthma and was receiving periodical medical examinations once a month.

Demonstration of functional role of TECK/CCL25 in T lymphocyte-endothelium interaction in inflamed and uninflamed intestinal mucosa.

It has recently been suggested that C-C chemokines may play a role in the organ-specific homing of lymphocytes, but there is not enough in vivo evidence in intestinal mucosa. The aim of this study was to examine whether thymus-expressed chemokine (TECK)/CCL25 and its ligand CCR9 are involved in T-lymphocyte interaction with microvessels of murine intestinal mucosa. T lymphocytes from the small intestine were fluorescence labeled, and their adhesion to mucosal microvessels was observed by intravital microscopy.

The cytotoxicity of hydrophobic bile acids is ameliorated by more hydrophilic bile acids in intestinal cell lines IEC-6 and Caco-2.

Bile acids, especially those with hydrophobic properties, are known to possess cytotoxicity. However, the mechanisms responsible for the cytotoxicity of bile acids are still under investigation. On the other hand, the hydrophilic bile acid, ursodeoxycholic acid has been reported to exhibit therapeutic effects against cytotoxic hydrophobic bile acids.

N-3 fatty acid-rich diet prevents early response of interleukin-6 elevation in trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced enteritis.

Dietary fat is an important factor involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It remains unclear how n-3 and n-6 fatty acids modulate intestinal inflammation. In this study, we investigated the effects of n-3 and n-6 fatty acid-rich diets on trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced enteritis.

Treatment of ulcerative colitis patients by long-term administration of germinated barley foodstuff: multi-center open trial.

Germinated barley foodstuff (GBF), which mainly consists of dietary fiber and glutamine-rich protein, is a prebiotic for ulcerative colitis (UC). In our previous study, we carried out a clinical trial of GBF with mildly to moderately active UC patients and showed that GBF treatment was able to attenuate the symptoms of UC in a relatively short-term. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of long-term administration of GBF in the treatment of UC in a multi-center open trial.

Enteral alanyl-glutamine supplement promotes intestinal adaptation in rats.

Although parental administration of glutamine promotes intestinal adaptation, it is controversial whether enteral glutamine is effective after small bowel resection. To further evaluate the benefits of enteral supplementation, peptide and amino acid peptide transporter function must be considered. We evaluated the effect of enteral alanyl-glutamine based on the alteration of peptide and amino acid transporter expressions after massive small intestinal resection.

The long-term oral administration of a product derived from a probiotic, Clostridium butyricum induced no pathological effects in rats.

Recent studies have suggested that short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) exert a therapeutic effect on some human and experimental animal diseases. In our previous study, we showed that Clostridium butyricum produces high levels of SCFAs in the culture system used. In addition, an additive based on yogurt was effective in eliminating and masking the odor derived from these SCFAs in the product.

The use of short-course zidovudine to prevent perinatal transmission of human immunodeficiency virus in rural Kenya.

To determine the feasibility of using short-course zidovudine (ZDV) to prevent mother-to-child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in a breastfeeding population in a rural area in Kenya, pregnant mothers attending clinics in seven health centers in western Kenya between 1996 and 1998 were requested to volunteer for participation in this study. The HIV-infected mothers were given a daily dose of 400 mg of ZDV starting at 36 weeks of gestation and another 300 mg every three hours intrapartum. After delivery, mothers and their children were followed-up and clinically monitored every 3-4 months for two years, and child and mother mortality rates were analyzed.

Combined effect of hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative stress and IL-1 alpha on IL-8 production in CaCo-2 cells (a human colon carcinoma cell line) and normal intestinal epithelial cells.

Oxidative stress, IL-1alpha, and IL-8 are known to contribute to mucosal inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. We examined the IL-8 response after brief exposure to hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative stress in CaCo-2 cells (a human colon carcinoma cell line) and in human intestinal epithelial cells. In addition, we examined whether exposure to oxidative stress, followed by IL-1alpha, could modulate IL-8 production.

Matrix metalloproteinase-3 secretion from human colonic subepithelial myofibroblasts: role of interleukin-17.

Background: Subepithelial myofibroblasts (SEMFs) play a role in extracellular matrix (ECM) metabolism in the colon. In this study, we investigated the effects of interleukin (IL)-17, IL-1beta, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3 secretion in colonic SEMFs.

Methods: MMP-3 secretion and MMP-3 mRNA expression were determined by Western and Northern blotting, respectively.

MALT lymphoma at the base of the tongue developing without any background of immunodeficiency or autoimmune disease.

We report a very rare case of a mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma of the base of the tongue. A 61-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for further examination of a 12 mm x 15 mm x 5 mm tongue tumor. Histological examination of the tumor revealed a marked lymphoepithelial lesion.

Alteration of aquaporin mRNA expression after small bowel resection in the rat residual ileum and colon.

Background: Diarrhea occurring after small bowel resection gradually improves due to intestinal adaptation. It is known that several water channels, termed aquaporins (AQP), are expressed in the gastrointestinal tract and facilitate water transport. However, the changes of AQP after bowel resection remain unclear.

The free radical scavenger edaravone suppresses experimental dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in rats.

Recent studies suggest that the enhanced release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of clinical inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. In the present study, we investigated the effects of the free radical scavenger edaravone, which is used clinically as an anti-stroke agent, in the development of experimental dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in rats. The rats were fed 4% (w/w of diet) DSS in standard powder chow for 8 days.

The free radical scavenger edaravone suppresses experimental closed duodenal loop-induced acute pancreatitis in rats.

Recent studies suggest that the enhanced release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of clinical acute pancreatitis. In the present study, we investigated the effects of the free radical scavenger edaravone, which is used clinically as an anti-stroke agent, in the development of experimental closed duodenal loop (CDL)-induced acute pancreatitis. In the CDL-pancreatitis model, after edaravone and vehicle saline were injected intravenously, pancreatitis was induced for 7 h by the CDL technique.

A novel diamino-pyridine derivative (IS-741) attenuates rat ileitis induced by trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid.

Background: The etiology and pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease remain unknown. However, neutrophil infiltration into the inflammatory lesion is an important process in inflammatory bowel disease. In this study, we used rat trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) ileitis as a Crohn's disease model, and investigated the effects of oral IS-741 (which inhibits the expression of Mac-1, a cell adhesion molecule) on leukocyte-endothelial interactions.

Regulation of IL-11 expression in intestinal myofibroblasts: role of c-Jun AP-1- and MAPK-dependent pathways.

IL-11 inhibits the activation of NF-kappaB and induces the Th2 polarization of CD4+ T cells. The clinical utility of IL-11 is being investigated in Crohn's disease. However, physiological secretion of IL-11 in the intestine remains unclear.

Nutritional benefits of enteral alanyl-glutamine supplementation on rat small intestinal damage induced by cyclophosphamide.

Background: Glutamine is the principal fuel used by the small intestine. Although the parental administration of glutamine promotes intestinal mucosal growth, it is controversial whether enteral glutamine is effective against small intestinal damage caused by chemotherapy. To further evaluate the benefits of enteral supplementation, peptide and amino acid transporter functions must be considered.

Alterations in the DNA binding activity of transcriptional factors activator protein-1, Sp1, and hepatocyte nuclear factor-1 in rat jejunum during starvation and refeeding.

Background: The molecular processes leading to mucosal atrophy, regrowth, and functional changes with starvation and refeeding are largely unknown. There are many transcriptional factors that might be related to mucosal atrophy and proliferation. In contrast, we previously reported that H+/peptide transporter and aminopeptidase N messenger RNA in the intestinal mucosa were upregulated during starvation.

Effects of the soluble fibre pectin on intestinal cell proliferation, fecal short chain fatty acid production and microbial population.

Aim: Although pectin, a dietary fibre, has been suggested to possess some trophic effects on the intestine, the mechanisms involved remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of pectin on rat intestinal cell proliferation and the intraluminal environment.

Methods: Control and pectin-fed rats were given a fibre-free elemental diet (ED) and an ED containing 2.