Safety and efficacy of sodium hyaluronate (IBD98E) in the induction of clinical and endoscopic remission in subjects with distal ulcerative colitis.

Background: Sodium hyaluronate can contribute to the hydration and maintenance of the integrity of the intestinal mucosa. Restoration of the protective layer with sodium hyaluronate may contribute to the induction of remission of active ulcerative colitis.

Methods: We investigated the safety and efficacy of sodium hyaluronate enema (IBD98E) in distal active ulcerative colitis, in a prospective, uncontrolled, open-label pilot trial.

Effects of immunosuppression on immune response to pneumococcal vaccine in inflammatory bowel disease: a prospective study.

Background: Since immunomodulators and antitumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents are increasingly used to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), it is recommended to administer antipneumococcal vaccination to prevent opportunistic pneumonia. There is some evidence that concomitant immunosuppression may impair the immune response to vaccination. We aimed to evaluate the response rates to pneumococcal vaccination in four different treatment groups (mesalamine, azathioprine, infliximab, infliximab plus azathioprine).