Conjugated linoleic acid modulates immune responses in patients with mild to moderately active Crohn's disease.

Background & Aims: Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has demonstrated efficacy as an immune modulator and anti-inflammatory compound in mouse and pig models of colitis. We investigated the immunoregulatory efficacy of CLA in patients with mild to moderate Crohn's disease (CD).

Methods: Thirteen patients with mild to moderately active CD were enrolled in an open-label study of CLA (6 g/d orally) for 12 weeks.

Evaluation of a non-invasive method to detect cytomegalovirus (CMV)-DNA in stool samples of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): a pilot study.

Background: A severe flare of colitis in patients with IBD treated with immunosuppressive therapy may be complicated by an underlying CMV infection. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the diagnostic efficacy of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect CMV DNA in stool samples of IBD patients.

Methods: Twenty-one patients with a severe flare of IBD, incompletely responding or refractory to either steroids or immunosuppressive agents, were included in the study.

Effect of menstrual cycle phase on dopamine D2 receptor availability in female cynomolgus monkeys.

Sex differences have been reported in a variety of affective and neurodegenerative disorders that involve dysfunctional dopamine (DA) neurotransmission. In addition, there is evidence for differences in sensitivity to the abuse-related effects of psychostimulants across the menstrual cycle which may result from effects of ovarian hormones on DA function. The goal of the present study was to extend previous work examining menstrual cycle-related changes in DA D2 receptor availability in humans to drug-naive female cynomolgus monkeys (n=7) using the selective D2-like receptor ligand [(18)F]fluoroclebopride (FCP) and a high-resolution microPET P4 scanner.