Reduced Plasma Guanylin Levels Following Enterotoxigenic -Induced Diarrhea.

The intestinal peptide hormones guanylin (GN) and uroguanylin (UGN) interact with the epithelial cell receptor guanylate cyclase C to regulate fluid homeostasis. Some enterotoxigenic (ETEC) produce heat-stable enterotoxin (ST), which induces diarrhea by mimicking GN and UGN. Plasma concentrations of prohormones of GN (proGN) and UGN (proUGN) are reportedly decreased during chronic diarrheal diseases.

Assessment of Small Bowel Motility and SMA Blood Flow Studied with Transabdominal Ultrasound.

Gastrointestinal ultrasound (GIUS) is a noninvasive imaging technique that may be used to study physiological changes in the small bowel. The aim of the study was to investigate the feasibility of measuring blood flow (BF) in the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and regional motility in the small bowel with GIUS before and after a test meal and to compare ultrasound parameters to demographic factors such as age, sex, height, weight, and smoking habits. 122 healthy volunteers aged 20 to 80 were examined after an overnight fast.

Gastrointestinal transit and contractility in diabetic constipation: A wireless motility capsule study on diabetes patients and healthy controls.

Background: Diabetic constipation is traditionally attributed to slow colonic transit, despite limited evidence. More than half of patients find treatment unsatisfactory. To improve treatment, there is a need for better diagnostic understanding of the condition.

A young male with epitheliolysis in the small bowel and colon.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is characterized by epidermal necrosis of various degree, and can affect the entire body surface. Affection of small bowel and colon is a rare manifestation of TEN. We present a case with an unusual appearance of epitheliolysis of the small bowel and colon due to a toxic reaction.

Plasma levels of guanylins are reduced in patients with Crohn's disease.

Guanylin (GN) and uroguanylin (UGN) are endogenous ligands for the intestinal receptor guanylate cyclase C (GC-C), an important regulator of intestinal fluid homeostasis. Gene expression and protein levels of GN are suppressed in inflamed intestinal tissue from patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but knowledge about plasma levels of guanylins in these conditions is sparse. We aimed to investigate the fasting plasma levels of the prohormones proGN and proUGN in patients with Crohn's Disease (CD) and relate these to levels found in persons with other diarrheal conditions, as well as persons with normal bowel habits.

Comparison of pre-analytical conditions for quantification of serotonin in platelet-poor plasma.

Background: Reported concentrations of serotonin in platelet-poor plasma (PPP) in healthy subjects vary widely due to different pre-analytical procedures.

Aim: To examine how different pre-analytical conditions affect the measured concentration of serotonin in PPP.

Method: Six pre-analytical protocols were compared for preparation of PPP from EDTA whole blood for quantification of serotonin from nine healthy individuals.

Genetic and transcriptional analysis of inflammatory bowel disease-associated pathways in patients with GUCY2C-linked familial diarrhea.

Objective: Activating mutations in the GUCY2C gene, which encodes the epithelial receptor guanylate cyclase C, cause diarrhea due to increased loss of sodium chloride to the intestinal lumen. Patients with familial GUCY2C diarrhea syndrome (FGDS) are predisposed to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We investigated whether genes in the guanylate cyclase C pathway are enriched for association with IBD and reversely whether genetic or transcriptional changes associated with IBD are found in FGDS patients.

Prolonged intestinal transit and diarrhea in patients with an activating GUCY2C mutation.

Introduction: Increased intestinal hydration by activation of the epithelial enzyme linked receptor guanylate cyclase C (GC-C) is a pharmacological principle for treating constipation. Activating mutations in the GUCY2C gene encoding GC-C cause Familial GUCY2C diarrhea syndrome (FGDS) which has been diagnosed with severe dysmotility.

Aim: To investigate gut motility and hormones before and after a meal in FGDS patients and compare with healthy controls (HC).

Guanylate Cyclase C Activation Shapes the Intestinal Microbiota in Patients with Familial Diarrhea and Increased Susceptibility for Crohn's Disease.

Background: With 25% prevalence of Crohn's disease, Familial GUCY2C diarrhea syndrome (FGDS) is a monogenic disorder potentially suited to study initiating factors in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We aimed to characterize the impact of an activating GUCY2C mutation on the gut microbiota in patients with FGDS controlling for Crohn's disease status and to determine whether changes share features with those observed in unrelated patients with IBD.

Methods: Bacterial DNA from fecal samples collected from patients with FGDS (N = 20), healthy relatives (N = 11), unrelated healthy individuals (N = 263), and IBD controls (N = 46) was subjected to sequencing of the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene to determine gut microbiota composition.

An activating gucy2c mutation causes impaired contractility and fluid stagnation in the small bowel.

Objective: Familial GUCY2C diarrhoea syndrome (FGDS) is caused by an activating mutation in the GUCY2C gene encoding the receptor guanylate cyclase C in enterocytes. Activation leads to increased secretion of fluid into the intestinal lumen. Twenty percent of the patients have increased risk of Crohn's disease and intestinal obstruction (CD, 20%) and the condition resembles irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhoea.

Quantitative measurement of ultrasound attenuation and Hepato-Renal Index in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Objective: The aim of this study was to non-invasively explore new methods of ultrasound attenuation measurements in livers of patients with Non-Alcoholic-Fatty-Liver-Disease (NAFLD) and to measure the liver tissue elasticity.

Material And Method: Sixteen patients with NAFLD, twelve patients with liver fibrosis and fifteen healthy subjects were included. Echo Levels (ELs) in dB were measured at 2 and 7 cm depths in the right liver to calculate the attenuation.

Metformin in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized, controlled trial.

Objective: The antidiabetic agent metformin is regularly discussed as a promising treatment for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is characterized by insulin resistance. However, the evidence for its beneficial effects is limited, and conflicting reports have been published. The purpose of this study was to conduct a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to test whether metformin improves liver histology in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.