Usefulness of fecal calprotectin by monoclonal antibody testing in adult Japanese with inflammatory bowel diseases: a prospective multicenter study.

Background/aims: Noninvasive objective monitoring is advantageous for optimizing treatment strategies in patients inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Fecal calprotectin (FCP) is superior to traditional biomarkers in terms of assessing the activity in patients with IBD. However, there are the differences among several FCP assays in the dynamics of FCP.

Does discontinuation of antithrombotics affect the diagnostic yield of small bowel capsule endoscopy in patients demonstrating obscure gastrointestinal bleeding?

A large proportion of patients demonstrating obscure gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB) are antithrombotic users and need to undergo small bowel capsule endoscopy (SBCE). We examined the effect of discontinuation of antithrombotics on the diagnostic yield of SBCE. Additionally, we assessed predictive factors associated with positive SBCE findings.

Isoliquiritigenin Ameliorates Indomethacin-Induced Small Intestinal Damage by Inhibiting NOD-Like Receptor Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Inflammasome Activation.

Activation of the NOD-Like Receptor Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, which consists of NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC), and pro-caspase-1, triggers pro-caspase-1 cleavage promoting the processing of pro-interleukin (IL)-1β into mature IL-1β, which is critical for the development of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced enteropathy. We investigated the effects of isoliquiritigenin, a flavonoid derived from the roots of Glycyrrhiza species, on NSAID-induced small intestinal damage and the inflammasome activation. To induce enteropathy, mice were administered indomethacin by gavage with or without isoliquiritigenin pretreatment.

, , and genetic variants and thiopurine intolerance among Japanese patients with inflammatory bowel diseases.

Background/aims: Recent genome-wide analyses have provided strong evidence concerning adverse events caused by thiopurine drugs such as azathioprine (AZA) and 6-mercaptopurine. The strong associations identified between p.Arg139Cys and thiopurine-induced leukopenia and severe hair loss have been studied and confirmed over the last 2 years.

Effect of midazolam and butorphanol premedication on inhalant isoflurane anesthesia in mice.

Isoflurane is a representative inhalant anesthesia used in laboratory animals. However, isoflurane mediates respiratory depression and adverse clinical reactions during induction. In the present study, we established a novel balanced anesthesia method in mice that combined isoflurane anesthesia with midazolam and butorphanol (MB).

Patients' assessment of adalimumab self-injection for Crohn's disease: a multicenter questionnaire survey (The PEARL Survey).

Background/aims: Adalimumab (ADA) is a self-injectable anti-tumor necrosis factor-α antibody used for treating Crohn’s disease (CD). Although self-injecting ADA may be convenient for patients, few reports have assessed patients receiving ADA self-injection therapy.

Methodology: We conducted a questionnaire survey involving outpatients on ADA self-injection therapy at four university hospitals.

Evaluation of discomfort during colonoscopy with conventional and ultrathin colonoscopes in ulcerative colitis patients.

Background And Aim: In patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), colonoscopy is an essential procedure for evaluating mucosal damage, and treatment outcomes. A new flexible ultrathin colonoscope (PCF-PQ260) has been developed to readily pass through tortuous and narrow lesions of the colon and cause minimum patient discomfort. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the comfort and performance of this new type of scope in UC patients who underwent colonoscopy for estimation of mucosal inflammation, basically without sedation.

Prospective postsurgical capsule endoscopy in patients with Crohn's disease.

Aim: To clarify the usefulness of postsurgical capsule endoscopy (CE) in the diagnosis of recurrent small bowel lesions of Crohn's disease (CD).

Methods: This prospective study included 19 patients who underwent ileocolectomy or partial ileal resection for CD. CE was performed 2-3 wk after surgery to check for the presence/absence and severity of lesions remaining in the small bowel, and for any recurrence at the anastomosed area.

The preventive effects of low-dose enteric-coated aspirin tablets on the development of colorectal tumours in Asian patients: a randomised trial.

Objective: To evaluate the influence of low-dose, enteric-coated aspirin tablets (100 mg/day for 2 years) on colorectal tumour recurrence in Asian patients with single/multiple colorectal tumours excised by endoscopy.

Design: A double-blinded, randomised, placebo-controlled multicentre clinical trial was conducted.

Participants: 311 subjects with single/multiple colorectal adenomas and adenocarcinomas excised by endoscopy were enrolled in the study (152 patients in the aspirin group and 159 patients in the placebo group).

Effects of dietary calcium on Helicobacter pylori-induced gastritis in Mongolian gerbils.

Background And Aims: Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection causes gastritis and is considered a gastric cancer risk factor. We have previously reported that codfish meal markedly enhanced Hp-induced gastritis in Mongolian gerbils. In the present study, we sought the responsible components in codfish meal.

Looking for predictive factors of clinical response to adsorptive granulocyte and monocyte apheresis in patients with ulcerative colitis: markers of response to GMA.

Background: Adsorptive granulocyte and monocyte apheresis (GMA) with an Adacolumn in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) has been applied as a non-pharmacological treatment strategy, but the efficacy has been encouraging as well as discouraging, depending on patients' demography at entry. In this study, we looked for predictive factors for clinical response to GMA in patients with UC.

Methods: In a retrospective setting, 43 outpatients who had been treated with GMA for active UC were evaluated.

Placebo controlled evaluation of Xilei San, a herbal preparation in patients with intractable ulcerative proctitis.

Background And Aim: Topical mesalamine or corticosteroid has shown efficacy in patients with ulcerative proctitis, but patients often become refractory to these interventions. Xilei San is a herbal preparation with evidence of anti-inflammatory effects. We evaluated the efficacy of topical Xilei San in ulcerative proctitis patients.

Optimal apheresis treatment volume for the efficacy and safety of leukocytapheresis with Cellsorba in patients with active ulcerative colitis.

Background: Leukocytapheresis (LCAP) is used as an adjunct therapy for patients with active ulcerative colitis (UC). Although, LCAP is routinely performed at 3,000 mL per session, we were interested to see that if this can be replaced with bodyweight (BW) adjusted volume.

Methods: In an open label prospective trial, the clinical response to BW adjusted LCAP (BWA-LCAP) was evaluated in 14 patients with active UC.

Scheduled infliximab monotherapy to prevent recurrence of Crohn's disease following ileocolic or ileal resection: a 3-year prospective randomized open trial.

Background: Infliximab (IFX) is effective for remission induction and maintenance of Crohn's disease (CD). This trial assessed the efficacy of scheduled maintenance IFX monotherapy to prevent postoperative CD recurrence.

Methods: Thirty-one CD patients who had ileocolic resection within the past 4 weeks were randomly assigned to scheduled IFX at 5 mg/kg intravenously every 8 weeks for 36 months (n = 15) or without IFX (control, n = 16).

Immunoregulatory effects of adsorptive granulocyte and monocyte apheresis in patients with drug refractory Crohn's disease.

In Japan, adsorptive granulocyte/monocyte apheresis (GMA) is an approved treatment option in patients with active Crohn's disease (CD). However, there is inadequate knowledge regarding the mechanism(s) of therapeutic effects of this non-pharmacologic treatment strategy. Further, recently we have been interested in the regulatory T-cell (Treg) profile which has an essential immunoregulatory function.

Relevance of the processed blood volume per granulocyte and monocyte apheresis session to its clinical efficacy in patients with ulcerative colitis.

Granulocyte/monocyte adsorption (GMA) has been introduced as an adjunct intervention for active ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. The processed blood volume (PV) per GMA session is an important factor for its efficacy because depletion of elevated/activated myeloid leukocytes is its main action. Hitherto, this aspect of GMA has been largely ignored.

The CD4+CD28null and the regulatory CD4+CD25High T-cell phenotypes in patients with ulcerative colitis during active and quiescent disease, and following colectomy.

The CD4+CD25High T-cell phenotype has an essential immunoregulatory role, while the CD4+CD28null T-cell reflects immune pathology. We investigated the profiles of the CD4+CD25High and the CD4+CD28null T-cell phenotypes in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) during active and quiescent phases as well as following colectomy. Fifty-nine UC patients, 34 active (UCa) and 25 quiescent (UCq) together with 19 healthy controls (HC) were included.

Infliximab therapy impacts the peripheral immune system of immunomodulator and corticosteroid naïve patients with Crohn's disease.

Background/aims: Infliximab (IFX), an antibody to tumor necrosis factor, (TNF)-α has efficacy in treating Crohn's disease (CD). However, knowledge of the potential effects of IFX on patients' immune profiles is lacking. The purpose of this study was to reveal the immunological effects of IFX.

The expression profile of functional regulatory T cells, CD4+CD25high+/forkhead box protein P3+, in patients with ulcerative colitis during active and quiescent disease.

Regulatory T cells (T(reg)) have an essential role in maintaining immune tolerance in the gut. The functional CD4(+) T(reg) express the transcription factor forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3) or a CD25(high) in humans. Further, depletion of elevated granulocytes/monocytes by extracorporeal adsorption (GMA) induces immunomodulation in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC).

Cytapheresis in patients with severe ulcerative colitis after failure of intravenous corticosteroid: a long-term retrospective cohort study.

Background/aims: Cytapheresis (CAP) is a novel strategy for ulcerative colitis (UC). However, there is insufficient data on the long-term outcome of UC patients who achieve remission by CAP. This study involved patients with severe UC who refracted to intravenous (iv) corticosteroid.

Monitoring mitochondrial metabolisms in irradiated human cancer cells with (99m)Tc-MIBI.

Cationic hexakis(2-methoxyisobutylisonitrile)-technetium-99m ((99m)Tc-MIBI), an agent for scintigraphic detection and imaging of tumors, accumulates in mitochondria of various cells and tissues of high mitochondrial metabolic activity. To monitor the mitochondrial metabolisms of human cancer cells exposed to ionizing radiation, uptake of (99m)Tc-MIBI in an irradiated human lung cancer cell line (A549) was measured at 1-12 h following 0-9 Gy irradiation in vitro. Mitochondrial membrane potential, an index of mitochondrial activity, was also determined by flow cytometry with 3,3'-dihexyloxacarbocyanine (DiOC6(3)).

Clinical significance of KL-6, a marker of interstitial pneumonia, in cases of HCV-associated chronic liver disease.

Objective: Various antiviral therapies, including interferon therapy, are being conducted to treat chronic hepatitis C and suppress the onset of hepatocellular carcinoma. However, interstitial pneumonia is beginning to be recognized as one of the adverse reactions of this therapy, and is one of the complications associated with chronic hepatitis. Therefore, we measured the level of KL-6, an interstitial pneumonia marker, in patients with HCV-associated chronic disease, and then determined the possibility of utilizing serum KL-6 as a predictive factor for interstitial pneumonia and the clinical significance of KL-6 in HCV-associated chronic disease.

Outpatient treatment of moderately severe active ulcerative colitis with pulsed steroid therapy and conventional steroid therapy.

Pulsed steroid therapy may induce rapid remission in patients with moderately severe ulcerative colitis in outpatient clinics. A total of 19 patients with moderately severe active ulcerative colitis who refused hospitalization were treated between October 1999 and September 2001 in the outpatient clinic. Patients were treated with either conventional oral steroid therapy or intravenous pulsed steroid therapy followed by conventional oral steroid therapy.