Hypothalamic-pituitary-gut axis dysregulation in irritable bowel syndrome: plasma cytokines as a potential biomarker?

Background & Aims: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional disorder with an etiology that has been linked to both psychological stress and infection. The primary aim of this study was to examine the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in patients with IBS and to relate such response to plasma cytokine profiles.

Methods: A total of 151 subjects, 76 patients and 75 controls, were recruited.

Differential cytokine response from dendritic cells to commensal and pathogenic bacteria in different lymphoid compartments in humans.

Resident host microflora condition and prime the immune system. However, systemic and mucosal immune responses to bacteria may be divergent. Our aim was to compare, in vitro, cytokine production by human mononuclear and dendritic cells (DCs) from mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to defined microbial stimuli.

Lactobacillus and bifidobacterium in irritable bowel syndrome: symptom responses and relationship to cytokine profiles.

Background & Aims: The aim of this study was to compare the response of symptoms and cytokine ratios in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with ingestion of probiotic preparations containing a lactobacillus or bifidobacterium strain.

Methods: Seventy-seven subjects with IBS were randomized to receive either Lactobacillus salivarius UCC4331 or Bifidobacterium infantis 35624, each in a dose of 1 x 10 10 live bacterial cells in a malted milk drink, or the malted milk drink alone as placebo for 8 weeks. The cardinal symptoms of IBS were recorded on a daily basis and assessed each week.

Is the mucosal route of administration essential for probiotic function? Subcutaneous administration is associated with attenuation of murine colitis and arthritis.

Background: We and others have reported the prophylactic efficacy of oral consumption of probiotic lactobacilli in the interleukin 10 knockout (IL-10 KO) model of colitis. It has not been demonstrated that the oral route is essential for probiotic efficacy.

Aims: (i) To determine the effect of parenteral administration (subcutaneous) of Lactobacillus salivarius 118 on colitis of IL-10 KO mice; and (ii) to determine if observed responses are disease specific.

Double blind, placebo controlled trial of two probiotic strains in interleukin 10 knockout mice and mechanistic link with cytokine balance.

Background: Prophylactic efficacy against colitis following lactobacillus consumption in interleukin 10 (IL-10) knockout (KO) mice has been reported. Whether this applies equally to other probiotic strains is unknown, and the mechanism is unclear.

Aims: (1) To compare the effect of feeding Lactobacillus salivarius subspecies salivarius 433118 and Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 against placebo on enterocolitis, the intestinal microflora, and (2) to compare the systemic immunological response to in vitro microbial challenge in probiotic fed and control IL-10 KO mice.

Sulfate-reducing bacteria colonize pouches formed for ulcerative colitis but not for familial adenomatous polyposis.

Purpose: Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis remains the "gold standard" in surgical treatment of ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatous polyposis. Pouchitis occurs mainly in patients with a background of ulcerative colitis, although the reasons for this are unknown. The aim of this study was to characterize differences in pouch bacterial populations between ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatous pouches.

Probiotic impact on microbial flora, inflammation and tumour development in IL-10 knockout mice.

Background: The enteric bacterial flora has been implicated in the pathogenesis of enterocolitis and colon cancer in C57BL/6 IL-10 knockout mice. Probiotic Lactobacilli modify the enteric flora and are thought to have a beneficial effect on enterocolitis. We conducted a controlled feeding trial in IL-10 knockout mice using the probiotic Lactobacillus salivarius ssp.

In vitro selection criteria for probiotic bacteria of human origin: correlation with in vivo findings.

The enteric flora comprises approximately 95% of the total number of cells in the human body and can elicit immune responses while protecting against microbial pathogens. However, the resident bacterial flora of the gastrointestinal tract may also be implicated in the pathogenesis of diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis and Crohn disease). The objectives of the Probiotic Research Group based at University College Cork were to isolate and identify lactic acid bacteria exhibiting beneficial probiotic traits, such as bile tolerance in the absence of deconjugation activity, acid resistance, adherence to host epithelial tissue, and in vitro antagonism of pathogenic microorganisms or those suspected of promoting inflammation.

Probiotics: from myth to reality. Demonstration of functionality in animal models of disease and in human clinical trials.

The enteric flora comprise approximately 95% of the total number of cells in the human body and are capable of eliciting immune responses while also protecting against microbial pathogens. However, the resident bacterial flora of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) may also be implicated in the pathogenesis of several chronic conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The University College Cork-based Probiotic Research Group has successfully isolated and identified lactic acid bacteria (LAB) which exhibit beneficial probiotic traits.

Quantitative intracellular cytokine measurement: age-related changes in proinflammatory cytokine production.

The proinflammatory cytokines play a central role in mediating cellular and physiological responses, and levels may reflect immune system effectiveness. In this study, the effect of ageing on the inflammatory response was examined using a novel method to detect production of the proinflammatory cytokines, i.e.

Effects of human recombinant growth hormone (rhGH) on inflammatory responses in patients undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

Background: Human recombinant growth hormone (rhGH) has been shown to increase skeletal muscle protein synthesis and improve nitrogen balance in critically ill patients and those undergoing surgery. rhGH effects on hepatic protein turnover in critically ill patients are less clearly understood.

Objective: To examine rhGH effects on hepatic acute phase protein responses and inflammatory cytokine release in patients undergoing major surgery.