Acute colonic ischaemia in rats results in long-term structural changes without alterations of colonic sensitivity.

Colonic ischaemia and mast cells have been involved in the pathophysiology of the functional gastrointestinal disorder irritable bowel syndrome, although the cause-effect relationships remain unknown. We assessed long-term histopathological and functional changes associated to an acute ischaemic episode (1 h) of the colon, followed by 8-week recovery, in rats. Functional colonic alterations [sensitivity during colorectal distension (CRD), compliance and propulsive motility] were assessed regularly during the recovery.

Dextran sulphate sodium induces acute colitis and alters hepatic function in hamsters.

Dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in rodents is an experimental model for human inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of this study was to characterize the effect of DSS in hamster colon and liver. DSS (2-5%) was administrated in the drinking water for 4-6 days.

Rapid increase in resistance of Plasmodium falciparum to chloroquine-Fansidar in Uganda and the potential of amodiaquine-Fansidar as a better alternative.

Combinations of chloroquine (CQ) and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) [CQSP] as the first line agents in Uganda have replaced CQ monotherapy. The idea of the combination is to delay the development of malaria resistance to either drug when used alone. We compared the clinical, parasitological and molecular findings of two studies with treatment arms of CQSP, amodiaquine (AQ) plus SP (AQSP) both done in 2003 with a study done 1 year earlier (2002) using SP alone.