Acetogenic fibers reduce fasting glucose turnover but not peripheral insulin resistance in metabolic syndrome patients.

Background & Aims: The acute ingestion of an acetogenic indigestible carbohydrate (lactulose) increased acetate turnover associated with decreased lipolysis (glycerol turnover) in insulin-resistant patients. It is not known whether a decreased lipolysis by chronic ingestion of acetogenic indigestible carbohydrates or fibers improves glucose turnover and insulin sensitivity.

Methods: Twenty-one men with metabolic syndrome ingested daily standardized drinks, with or without 28 g acetogenic fibers (acacia gum and pectin), for 5 weeks in a randomized double-blind crossover controlled study design.

Multicenter randomized-controlled clinical trial of probiotics (Lactobacillus johnsonii, LA1) on early endoscopic recurrence of Crohn's disease after lleo-caecal resection.

Background: Seventy percent of Crohn's disease (CD) patients exhibit anastomotic recurrence within 1 year after ileo-caecal surgery. Recent clinical trials suggest the beneficial use of probiotics in the control of intestinal inflammation in pouchitis and ulcerative colitis. This study is a multicenter clinical trial evaluating the efficacy of an oral administration of the probiotic LAl on early post-operative endoscopic recurrence of CD.

Colonic Crohn's disease in children does not respond well to treatment with enteral nutrition if the ileum is not involved.

Data supporting a response to treatment with exclusive enteral nutrition in pediatric colonic Crohn's disease are few. We examined clinical and biochemical responses of ileal, colonic, and ileocolonic Crohn's disease and assessed the endoscopic and histological colonic mucosal response in the colonic and ileocolonic groups. We prospectively enrolled 65 children (age: 8-17 years) with acute intestinal Crohn's disease (Pediatric Crohn's Disease Activity Index [PCDAI] >20).

Remission induced by a new specific oral polymeric diet in children with Crohn's disease.

We have been able to show that CT3211 is an effective oral treatment in children with active Crohn's disease. It was well tolerated, and there were minimal side effects. At the mucosal site of disease there was macroscopic and histological improvement, together with evidence of downregulation of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1 beta, IL-8, and IFN-gamma.

Mucosal healing and a fall in mucosal pro-inflammatory cytokine mRNA induced by a specific oral polymeric diet in paediatric Crohn's disease.

Background: Although enteral nutrition is a recognized form of treatment for intestinal Crohn's disease, there are persisting problems with feed palatability and only limited data as to its mode of action.

Aim: To assess the effects of a specific oral polymeric diet (CT3211; Nestle, Vevey, Switzerland), which is rich in transforming growth factor beta2, on the mucosal inflammatory process.

Methods: Twenty-nine consecutive children with active intestinal Crohn's disease were treated with CT3211 as the sole source of nutrition for 8 weeks.

Protein-energy oral supplementation in malnourished nursing-home residents. A controlled trial.

Objectives: To validate a nutritional intervention programme for elderly people living in nursing homes.

Design: In a prospective, randomized, controlled study of 88 residents, we determined nutritional status at day 0 and day 60 using a record of dietary intake, anthropometry, hand-grip strength and mini-nutritional assessment. Dietary intake, grip strength and body weight were also recorded at day 30.