Expression of protease-activated-receptor 2 (PAR-2) in human esophageal mucosa.

Objective: The role of duodenal reflux in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) containing bile salts and pancreatic enzymes (with special attention to trypsin) is still under discussion. Proteinase-activated receptors (PARs) are a novel family and PAR-2 is a unique member of this family because it is activated by trypsin. The aim of the present study was to examine the presence and the position of the PAR-2 receptor in human esophageal mucosa in different subgroups of GERD.

Concept of Crohn's disease being conditioned by four main components, and irritable bowel syndrome being an incomplete Crohn's disease.

Several mechanisms have been proposed for the development of Crohn's disease. Evidence in favour of a unifying 4-component concept to explain the development of Crohn's disease is presented. The four components are a genetic predisposition to an increased intestinal permeability, the key and initial triggering factor being an oral-pharyngeal bacterium that increases the mucosal permeability of the small intestine with only a minimal inflammatory reaction, an adherent-invasive strain of Escherichia coli that penetrates the mucosa and causes an acute inflammatory reaction in the intestinal wall, and finally a secondary invasion of bacteria causing the chronic inflammatory characteristics.

Strong activation of PAR-2 receptors: a common trigger for the development of gastrointestinal adenocarcinomas?

Helicobacter pylori infection is considered to be an important factor in the development of gastric cancer, while duodenogastroesophageal reflux is claimed to be the main cause of development of esophageal adenocarcinoma. A pronounced activation of PAR-2 receptors may be a common denominator in triggering the development of these cancers, and possibly pancreatic and colonic cancers as well. Evidence supporting such a concept is presented.

Abnormal intestinal permeability in subgroups of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndromes.

Objectives: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a heterogeneous condition and defined according to symptoms. Low-grade inflammation has been associated with IBS, particularly that following infection, but whether altered intestinal permeability profiles relate to irritable bowel subtype or onset is uncertain. Our aim was to compare small and large intestinal permeability in various subtypes of IBS to healthy controls.