Fecal calprotectin is a clinically relevant biomarker of mucosal healing in patients with quiescent ulcerative colitis.

Background And Aim: Calprotectin is an abundant protein in neutrophils, which infiltrate the mucosa during inflammation. Fecal calprotectin (FC) level has shown correlation with disease activity in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. Additionally, FC level is expected to indicate mucosal healing (MH).

Effects of Dietary Plant-Origin Glucosylceramide on Bowel Inflammation in DSS-Treated Mice.

The effects of dietary plant-origin glucosylceramide (GlcCer) on symptoms similar to those of inflammatory bowel diseasewere investigated in dextran sulfate sodium salt (DSS)-treated mice. Dietary GlcCer suppressed decreases in body weight due to DSS administration. To determine its effects on the colon, we examined its surface under a microscope following toluidine blue staining.

The Effect of Oral Intake of Low-Temperature-Processed Whey Protein Concentrate on Colitis and Gene Expression Profiles in Mice.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an autoimmune disease of unknown etiology and can lead to inflammation and cancer. Whey proteins contain many bioactive peptides with potential health benefits against IBD. We investigated the effect of low-temperature-processed whey protein concentrate (LWPC) on the suppression of IBD by using a dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis model in BALB/c mice.

A case of Degos disease: demonstration of C5b-9-mediated vascular injury.

A 68-year-old Japanese male presented with atrophic erythematous white lesions with peripheral dark reddish rims on his back. Multiple ulcers were detected from his stomach to his large intestine using endoscopy. Although the patient was given high doses of a steroid, aspirin, dipyridamole, and intravenous immunoglobulin therapy, he died of gastrointestinal hemorrhage, perforation and septic shock.

Elevation of carcinoembryonic antigen coinciding with disease activity of ulcerative colitis.

We report on three cases of ulcerative colitis who presented with increased levels of serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) during the active stage. All cases were pancolitis with a moderate to severe disease course. After remission induction with medical therapies, serum CEA levels decreased to the normal reference range.

The impact of disease activity of Crohn's disease during pregnancy on fetal growth.

Although it is known that women with inflammatory bowel disease have an increased risk of adverse outcome of pregnancy, the relationship between disease activity during pregnancy and the adverse outcome is not well known. A 29-year-old woman with Crohn's disease presented with flare-up at the end of the first trimester. Although the disease had been rendered inactive by maintenance infusion of infliximab, the drug was discontinued at the time of conception because of the patient's fear of the adverse effects of infliximab.

Prokinetics influence the pharmacokinetics of rabeprazole.

Background: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are unstable at a low PH. Accelerated transfer of PPIs to the upper small intestine may influence the pharmacokinetics of PPIs.

Aim: To see if concomitant use of mosapride citrate with rabeprazole sodium influences the pharmacokinetics of the PPI.