Extrinsic surgical denervation ameliorates TNBS-induced colitis in rats.

Background/aims: Neurogenic inflammation refers to an inflammatory reflex arc by sensory neurons which transmit nocious stimulus centrally and results in both pain perception and intense local inflammatory reaction. Specific neurons, receptors, and their respective neurotransmitters have been studied in numerous organ systems including the gastrointestinal tract. Neurogenic inflammation has been suggested to play a key role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease.

Sp1 regulates osteopontin expression in SW480 human colon adenocarcinoma cells.

Background: Osteopontin (OPN) mediates cancer metastasis. Mechanisms regulating OPN expression in human colorectal cancer are unknown. Using SW480 colon adenocarcinoma cells, we hypothesized that transcription determines OPN expression.

The activity of RhoA is correlated with lymph node metastasis in human colorectal cancer.

Rho family GTPases play a pivotal role in the regulation of numerous cellular functions associated with malignant transformation and metastasis. To evaluate the role of these GTPases in colorectal cancer, the protein expression levels and activities of these proteins in matched sets of tumor and non-tumor tissues of surgical specimens were analyzed. The relationship between the protein levels and activities in tumor tissues to the clinicopathological features was also assessed.

Inhibition of the vanilloid receptor subtype-1 attenuates TNBS-colitis.

Primary sensory neurons are important in regard to the initiation and propagation of intestinal inflammation. The vanilloid receptor subtype-1 (VR-1) is a cation channel located on the sensory nerves that, when stimulated, release proinflammatory peptides. Previous reports have indicated that inhibition of VR-1 with capsazepine (CPZ), a VR-1 antagonist, attenuates dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) colitis in rats.

Defecatory malfunction caused by motility disorder of the neorectum after anterior resection for rectal cancer.

Background: The correlation between postoperative defecatory status after anterior resection for rectal cancer and physiologic neorectal motility has not been well delineated.

Methods: Sixty patients who underwent anterior resection were examined. Motility of the neorectum was examined with 4-sensor intraluminal pressure monitoring, and segmental colonic transit time was determined with radiopaque Sitzmarks (Konsyl, Fort Worth, Texas) capsules.