Prebiotic Treatment in Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)-A Randomized Pilot Trial.

Several studies show that gut microbiotas in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) differ from those in a healthy population, suggesting that this alteration plays a role in NAFLD pathogenesis. We investigated whether prebiotic administration affects liver fat content and/or liver-related and metabolic parameters. Patients with NAFLD and metabolic syndrome (age: 50 ± 11; 79% men) were randomized to receive either 16 g/day of prebiotic (ITFs-inulin-type fructans) ( = 8) or placebo (maltodextrin) ( = 11) for 12 weeks.

Endocannabinoid Levels in Ulcerative Colitis Patients Correlate With Clinical Parameters and Are Affected by Cannabis Consumption.

Background: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are chronic, idiopathic, inflammatory, gastrointestinal disorders. The endocannabinoid system may have a role in the pathogenesis of IBD. We aimed to assess whether cannabis treatment influences endocannabinoids (eCBs) level and clinical symptoms of IBD patients.

Cannabis is associated with clinical but not endoscopic remission in ulcerative colitis: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Cannabis is often used by patients with ulcerative colitis, but controlled studies are few. We aimed to assess the effect of cannabis in improving clinical and inflammatory outcomes in ulcerative colitis patients.

Methods: In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, patients received either cigarettes containing 0.

Cannabinoid receptor 2 agonist promotes parameters implicated in mucosal healing in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: Cannabis benefits patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Cannabinoid receptors are expressed in gut immune cells and in epithelial cells of inflamed guts. Mucosal healing (MH) requires epithelial layer restoration.

Fecal microbiome signatures of pancreatic cancer patients.

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death in developed countries, and since most patients have incurable disease at the time of diagnosis, developing a screening method for early detection is of high priority. Due to its metabolic importance, alterations in pancreatic functions may affect the composition of the gut microbiota, potentially yielding biomarkers for PC. However, the usefulness of these biomarkers may be limited if they are specific for advanced stages of disease, which may involve comorbidities such as biliary obstruction or diabetes.

Medical cannabis for inflammatory bowel disease: real-life experience of mode of consumption and assessment of side-effects.

Objective: Use of medical cannabis for improving symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease is increasing. However, reports on long-term outcomes are lacking. This prospective, observational study assessed the effects of licensed cannabis use among patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Cholecystectomy and Biliary Sphincterotomy Increase Fecal Bile Loss and Improve Lipid Profile in Dyslipidemia.

Background And Aims: Bile is the only significant pathway for cholesterol elimination. Cholecystectomy (CS) increases fecal bile acid loss, and endoscopic biliary sphincterotomy (ES) is thought to have a similar effect. We speculated that a combined effect of ES + CS would further enhance fecal bile acid loss, potentially causing lipid profile changes in these patients.

A novel gallbladder umbrella stent (the Shai™ Stent) for prevention of stone migration and impaction: results on feasibility and short-term safety in a porcine model.

Background And Aims: Cholelithiasis is the most common biliary tract disorder. Surgery is the treatment of choice for symptomatic gallstones. Aims of this study were to investigate the feasibility and short-term safety of a new endoscopic procedure with a specially designed Nitinol gallbladder stent for blockage of gallstone migration, the Shai™ Stent.

Diabetes Mellitus and Age are Risk Factors of Interval Colon Cancer: A Case-Control Study.

Background And Aims: Interval colorectal cancer (CRC) is largely related to a poor endoscopic performance or different biology in the development of the polyp. However, patient-related factors were less investigated for their association with interval cancer. We thus evaluated tumor and patient characteristics as predictors of interval cancer in a population from Israel.

The Relationship between Gender, Severity of Disease, Treatment Type, and Employment Outcome in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Israel.

Introduction: Since individuals with IBD typically experience symptoms during their prime years of employment, it raises the question about IBD impact on employment status. Most studies concentrated on absenteeism from work with varying results in different populations. However, absenteeism reflects only one dimension of the ability to work and does not expose the problem of inability to hold a full-time job.

Risk of metachronous advanced lesions after resection of diminutive and small, non-advanced adenomas.

Background And Aims: Current post-polypectomy surveillance interval guidelines do not discriminate between 1-2 diminutive (1-5mm) and small (6-9mm) non-advanced adenomas. This study compared the risk for metachronous advanced lesions in these groups.

Methods: Patients with 1-2 diminutive, non-advanced adenomas and no further advanced lesions, and patients with no polyps at baseline colonoscopy were retrospectively analyzed to determine the rate of metachronous advanced lesions.

Identification of Synergistic Interaction Between Cannabis-Derived Compounds for Cytotoxic Activity in Colorectal Cancer Cell Lines and Colon Polyps That Induces Apoptosis-Related Cell Death and Distinct Gene Expression.

Colorectal cancer remains the third most common cancer diagnosis and fourth leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Purified cannabinoids have been reported to prevent proliferation, metastasis, and induce apoptosis in a variety of cancer cell types. However, the active compounds from flowers and their interactions remain elusive.

Telomere Length, Aggregates, and Capture in Cirrhosis.

Background: Shortened telomeres were found in patients with cirrhosis, probably reflecting chronic liver injury, continuous regeneration, and destruction of hepatic nodules.

Objectives: To test whether telomere shortening is a general marker of cirrhosis, independent of disease etiology.

Methods: We evaluated telomere length in patients with cryptogenic cirrhosis (largely a late sequela of steatohepatitis) compared to patients with cirrhosis caused by chronic hepatitis B and C (HBV/HCV).

Anti-Inflammatory Activity in Colon Models Is Derived from Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid That Interacts with Additional Compounds in Extracts.

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) include Crohn's disease, and ulcerative colitis. preparations have beneficial effects for IBD patients. However, extracts contain hundreds of compounds.

Surveillance after positive colonoscopy based on adenoma characteristics.

Background: Patients with adenomatous polyps are at increased risk for developing colorectal cancer based on the characteristics and number of polyps, but less is known about the individual and combined contribution of these factors. This study aimed to better characterize the risk of advanced adenoma and cancer in patients with positive baseline colonoscopy.

Methods: Patients who had polyps at baseline colonoscopy were included in this retrospective cohort study (N=1165) and were categorized into 6 groups: (1) 1-2 non-advanced adenomas (NAA's), (2) ≥3 NAA's, (3) advanced tubular adenoma, (4) small tubulovillous adenoma (TVA), (5) large TVA and (6) multiple advanced adenomas (MAA's).

Low-Dose Cannabidiol Is Safe but Not Effective in the Treatment for Crohn's Disease, a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Cannabidiol (CBD) is an anti-inflammatory cannabinoid shown to be beneficial in a mouse model of IBD. Lacking any central effect, cannabidiol is an attractive option for treating inflammatory diseases.

Aim: To assess the effects of cannabidiol on Crohn's disease in a randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Soluble Syndecan-1: A Novel Biomarker of Small Bowel Mucosal Damage in Children with Celiac Disease.

Background: Syndecan-1 (SDC1) is essential for maintaining normal epithelial barrier. Shedding of SDC1 ectodomain, reflected by serum soluble syndecan-1 (SSDC1) levels, is regulated by inflammation. Increased intestinal permeability plays a central role in celiac disease (CD).

Telomere Dysfunction in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Cryptogenic Cirrhosis.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and cryptogenic cirrhosis (CC) are considered preneoplastic conditions that might progress to hepatocellular carcinoma. We evaluated parameters of telomere dysfunction in these patient groups to study the correlation between telomere length and the progression of NAFLD. We analyzed peripheral lymphocytes from 22 patients with NAFLD, 20 patients with CC, and 20 healthy, age-matched controls.

Low prevalence of dysplastic polyps in patients with ulcerative colitis.

Background And Aims: Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) are prone to colorectal cancer and dysplastic polyps and also have sporadic adenomas. There is scant information, however, relating the prevalence of sporadic adenomas in UC patients compared with normal subjects. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of all dysplastic lesions in UC and compare the prevalence of adenomas to that in the general population.

Aneuploidy and asynchronous replication in non-alcholic fatty liver disease and cryptogenic cirrhosis.

Background/aims: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and cryptogenic cirrhosis (CC), which is largely a late sequela of NAFLD, are considered pre-neoplastic conditions that might progress to hepatocellular carcinoma. Aneuploidy, telomere aggregates and synchronization of replication were evaluated as markers of genetic instability in these patients.

Methodology: Peripheral blood lymphocytes from 22 patients with NAFLD, 20 patients with CC and 20 age-matched healthy controls were analyzed.