Acute psychological stress increases paracellular permeability and modulates immune activity in rectal mucosa of healthy volunteers.

Background: Psychological stress and increased permeability are implicated as contributing factors in the initiation and worsening of gastrointestinal diseases. A link between stress and intestinal permeability has been shown in animal models as well as in human small intestine, but stress effects on the human colorectal mucosal barrier has not been reported.

Objective: To investigate the potential effects of acute psychological stress on colorectal mucosal barrier function and to explore stress-induced molecular events in the rectal mucosa under healthy conditions.

The Swedish Crohn Trial: A Prematurely Terminated Randomized Controlled Trial of Thiopurines or Open Surgery for Primary Treatment of Ileocaecal Crohn's Disease.

Background And Aims: The importance of efficient and safe treatment of Crohn's disease is highlighted by its chronicity. Both medical and surgical treatments have shown good results in the symptomatic control of limited ileocaecal Crohn's disease. The aim of this study was to compare medical treatment with surgical treatment of ileocaecal Crohn's disease.