Impaired gastric response to modified sham feeding in patients with postprandial distress syndrome.

Background: Impaired vagal function has been reported to be important in some patients with functional dyspepsia (FD). However, the pathophysiologic mechanisms influencing the cephalic phase of vagal activity in FD are incompletely understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the gastric response to modified sham feeding (MSF) on ultrasound and cardiovascular autonomic function in FD patients.

High-protein diet suppresses corpus atrophic gastritis in Helicobacter pylori infected Mongolian gerbils.

To investigate the effect of a high-protein diet on corpus atrophic gastritis in Helicobacter pylori-infected Mongolian gerbils, H. pylori was administered orally to 5-wk-old Mongolian gerbils; and the animals were then fed a control diet (Group C); a high-fat diet (Group F: 40% fat); a high-protein diet (Group P: 32% protein); or a high-fat, high-protein diet (Group FP: 40% fat, 32% protein) for 50 wk beginning at 7 wk of age. In uninfected animals, the mucosal thickness of the corpus was significantly greater in Group P and Group FP than in Group C (P < 0.

Efficacy of Rikkunshito, a traditional Japanese medicine (Kampo), in treating functional dyspepsia.

Background: Rikkunshito, a traditional Japanese (Kampo) medicine, is widely prescribed as an oral preparation for the treatment of functional dyspepsia (FD). In our previous study, we reported that extracorporeal ultrasonography (US) is a useful technique for the assessment of the gastric accommodation reflex (AR) and duodenogastric motility. In this study, we examined the effects of Rikkunshito on the gastroduodenal function in patients with FD.

Renin-angiotensin system associated with risk of upper GI mucosal injury induced by low dose aspirin: renin angiotensin system genes' polymorphism.

Background: We have previously shown that co-treatment of angiotensin type 1 receptor (AT1R) blocker (ARB) or angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor seem to reduce peptic ulcer among patients taking low dose aspirin. It is reported that a series of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) gene polymorphisms significantly influence the rate of the gene transcription.

Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the genotypes of RAS genes related to the risk of peptic ulcer and ulcer bleeding among patients taking low dose aspirin.

Evaluation of RAPID(®) 5 Access software for examination of capsule endoscopies and reading of the capsule by an endoscopy nurse.

Background: Since capsule endoscopy (CE) is time consuming, one possible cost-effective strategy could be the use of an expert endoscopic assistant and available software to select images. Aims were to examine the clinical utility of RAPID(®) 5 Access software and find the optimum setting mode for reading. We also evaluated whether a nurse could preview the CE video and detect significant lesions accurately.

Efficacy of the addition of prokinetics for proton pump inhibitor (PPI) resistant non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) patients: significance of frequency scale for the symptom of GERD (FSSG) on decision of treatment strategy.

Background: Non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) is a more difficult to treat than reflux esophagitis (RE) due to the high prevalence of PPI resistance. Consequently, the treatment strategy for NERD is yet to be established.

Patients And Methods: Subjects were 467 GERD patients (NERD 349, RE 118, 47.

Efficacy of mosapride citrate in proximal gastric accommodation and gastrointestinal motility in healthy volunteers: a double-blind placebo-controlled ultrasonographic study.

Background: Mosapride citrate, a 5-hydroxytryptamine-4 receptor agonist, enhances antral contractions and gastric emptying, but its effects on proximal gastric accommodation and gastroduodenal motility have not been fully studied. The aim of the present study was to clarify the effects of mosapride citrate on proximal gastric accommodation and gastroduodenal motility in healthy volunteers, using ultrasonography.

Methods: Fourteen healthy volunteers (mean age 25.

A double-blind, controlled study comparing lafutidine with placebo and famotidine in Japanese patients with mild reflux esophagitis.

Purpose: This randomized, double-blind, controlled study examined whether lafutidine is superior to placebo and non-inferior to famotidine in terms of healing rates as assessed by endoscopy in Japanese patients with mild reflux esophagitis. Safety and improvement in symptoms of heartburn were also assessed.

Methods: Patients with an endoscopic diagnosis of grade A or B reflux esophagitis according to the Los Angeles classification were randomly assigned to receive lafutidine (20 mg/day), famotidine (40 mg/day), or placebo for 8 weeks.

Expression of Sonic hedgehog (SHH) and CDX2 in the columnar epithelium of the lower oesophagus.

Background: Decreases in Sonic hedgehog (SHH) and CDX2 expression are associated with atrophy and intestinal metaplasia in the gastric mucosa. The pathogenesis of development of Barrett's oesophagus is still unclear.

Objective: To examine the gene expression of CDX2 and SHH and their signalling pathways in the columnar epithelium and the association with endoscopic appearance, gastric pH or bile acids.

Aspirin-induced peptic ulcer and genetic polymorphisms.

There are a few studies of the association between genetic polymorphisms and the risks of acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin)-induced ulcer or its complications. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), A-842G and C50T, exhibited increased sensitivity to aspirin and had lower prostaglandin synthesis capacity, lacking statistical significance in the association with bleeding peptic ulcer. A recent Japanese study indicated that the number of COX-1-1676T alleles was a significant risk factor for peptic ulcer in users of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Long-term outcome after double-balloon endoscopy in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.

Background And Aims: There are limited data concerning the clinical outcome of patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) after double-balloon endoscopy (DBE). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the long-term outcome of patients with OGIB after DBE.

Patients And Methods: Eighty-seven consecutive patients with OGIB (47 men and 40 women; mean age 65.

Evaluation of duodenal hypersensitivity induced by duodenal acidification using transnasal endoscopy.

Background And Aim: Although duodenal hypersensitivity has been suggested as one of the causes of functional dyspepsia (FD), a practical method to clarify this has not yet been established. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether patients with FD have duodenal hypersensitivity to acid, using transnasal endoscopy.

Methods: In all, 44 patients with FD and 16 healthy volunteers were enrolled, and all the subjects received transnasal endoscopy in the morning after overnight fasting.

Clinical characteristics of Japanese dyspeptic patients: is the Rome III classification applicable?

Objective: While the Rome III classification seems logical, some aspects need further evaluation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics of Japanese dyspeptic patients and to determine whether this classification could be applied to them.

Material And Methods: A total of 364 consecutive patients with a mean age of 54.

Duodenal hypersensitivity to acid in patients with functional dyspepsia-pathogenesis and evaluation.

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a subcategory of the functional gastrointestinal disorders according to the Rome III classification of functional gastroduodenal disorders. FD is characterized by the presence of symptoms that are believed to be associated with gastroduodenal lesions, particularly epigastric pain or burning, postprandial fullness, or early satiation, without the evidence of organic disease likely to explain the onset of these symptoms. Generally, multiple factors are considered to be involved in the onset of dyspeptic symptoms in patients with FD.

[Efficacy evaluation of lafutidine for mild reflux esophagitis in Japanese patients].

To evaluate the efficacy of lafutidine (20mg) , famotidine (40mg) and placebo in patients with mild reflux esophagitis (Grades A and B according to the Los Angeles classification) , a double-blind, multicenter, randomized clinical trial was performed for the first time in Japanese patients. In addition to each physician's evaluation, efficacy was evaluated by judging panels using images submitted by each physician. The healing rate after 8 weeks for lafutidine, famotidine and placebo were 67.

Effect of daikenchuto (TU-100) on gastrointestinal and colonic transit in humans.

Daikenchuto (TU-100) is a traditional Japanese (Kampo) medicine used to treat postoperative ileus. TU-100 dose dependently increases gastrointestinal (GI) motility by modulating cholinergic and serotonergic mechanisms in animal studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of orally administered TU-100 on GI and colonic transit and bowel function in healthy humans.

Clinical trial: irsogladine maleate, a mucosal protective drug, accelerates gastric ulcer healing after treatment for eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection--the results of a multicentre, double-blind, randomized clinical trial (IMPACT study).

Background: Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy alone is not sufficient to heal all gastric ulcers.

Aim: To verify the efficacy of treatment with irsogladine maleate between the termination and assessment of treatment for eradicating H. pylori in a double-blind study.

Helicobacter pylori eradication prevents extension of intestinalization even in the high-risk group for gastric cancer.

Background/aims: CDX2 is associated with the intestinal phenotype in the gastrointestinal tracts and is expressed in the intestinal type of gastric cancer. Helicobacter pylori-associated atrophic gastritis is characterized by aberrant expression of CDX2. The aim was to investigate the effects of eradication to the expression of genes related to the gastric and intestinal phenotype including CDX2.

[Helicobacter pylori infection and allergic diseases].

The prevalence of airway allergic diseases has increased in developed countries including Japan. There is a much published potential link between allergy and childhood infection. In 1989, Strachan proposed "hygiene hypothesis" that infections and living in an unhygienic environment might prime the immune system and thus protect against the development of allergic diseases.

[Gastritis].

Eradication of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) has suggested not only the decrease in the incidence of peptic ulcer diseases and gastric cancer, and but also the improvement of dyspeptic symptoms. Dyspepsia is a common condition in the world, and dyspepsia-related medical cost is high due to consultations, investigations, and drug consumption.

Randomized, double-blind, pilot study of geranylgeranylacetone versus placebo in patients taking low-dose enteric-coated aspirin. Low-dose aspirin-induced small bowel damage.

Objective: Low-dose enteric-coated aspirin is increasingly being used for prevention of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether geranylgeranylacetone (GGA) could prevent aspirin-induced small bowel injury.

Material And Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, double-blind, pilot study of GGA versus placebo in subjects taking low-dose enteric-coated aspirin.

Rectal mucosal prolapse syndrome as an unusual gastrointestinal manifestation of Sjögren's syndrome: a case report.

Introduction: Rectal mucosal prolapse syndrome, histologically characterized by fibromuscular obliteration in the lamina propria, hyperplastic glands and thickened muscularis mucosa, causes rectal bleeding. Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune exocrinopathy that chiefly destroys the salivary and lacrimal glands by lympho-plasmacytic infiltration. Although various gastrointestinal manifestations have been reported in patients with Sjögren's syndrome, there have not been to our knowledge any case reports to date of rectal mucosal prolapse syndrome in association with Sjögren's syndrome.

Active gastrointestinal bleeding: evaluation with contrast-enhanced ultrasonography.

Background And Aims: Advances in contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) have made it possible to detect leakage of contrast medium. The aim of the present study was to prospectively evaluate the efficacy of CEUS for depiction of active gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding.

Subjects And Methods: Eighty-nine patients (50 men and 39 women with a mean age of 68.

Detection of Helicobacter hepaticus in human bile samples of patients with biliary disease.

Background: Since the discovery of Helicobacter pylori, various enterohepatic Helicobacter spices have been detected in the guts of humans and animals. Some enterohepatic Helicobacters have been associated with inflammatory bowel disease or liver disease in mice. However the association of these bacteria with human diseases remains unknown.

[H. pylori infection and extra-digestive disease--idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura and iron deficiency anemia--review].

Although H. pylori infection has been shown to be associated with a wide variety of non-gastrointestinal tract conditions, the studies are conflicting regarding these associations. In addition, a biological rationale for the proposed association with H.