0000000000009308
AUTHOR
Belén Beltrán
Effects of endotoxin on neurally-mediated gastric acid secretion in the rat.
Abstract The effects of a peripheral administration of E. coli endotoxin on neurally-mediated gastric acid secretion and the role of endogenous opioids or PAF receptors in endotoxin effects have been evaluated in the continuously perfused stomach of the anaesthetized rat. Gastric acid secretion stimulated by distension (20 cm H2O) was reduced dose-dependently by single intravenous bolus injection of endotoxin (0.1–10 μg kg−1). Doses of 5 μg kg−1 induced a peak reduction of distension-stimulated acid output and significantly reduced the secretory response induced by an intravenous bolus of 2-deoxy-d-glucose (150 mg kg−1). This dose of endotoxin did not significantly modify mean systemic arte…
Effects on Arterial Blood Pressure of Methanol and Dichloromethanol Extracts fromJuniperus oxycedrus L.
The present study analysed the effect of the methanol and dichloromethanol extracts from Juniperus oxycedrus on arterial blood pressure in anaesthetized rats. The arterial blood pressure of normotensive rats was significantly reduced by the i.v. administration of both extracts. The hypotensive effect of these extracts was independent of the adrenergic system. These results may explain the vasorelaxing actions observed in other Juniperus species.
Synthesis of nitric oxide in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus mediates the inhibition of gastric acid secretion by central bombesin
1. Central administration of bombesin inhibits gastric acid production independently of the centrally or peripherally-acting stimuli employed. This study evaluates the role and location of the cerebral nitric oxide (NO) implicated in the inhibitory effect of central bombesin on in vivo rat gastric acid secretion, as induced by distension with 15 cm H2O, insulin (0.75 u.i. kg-1 i.p.) TRH (1.2 microg kg-1, i.c.) or pentagastrin (100 microg kg-1, i.p.). 2. The acid-inhibitory effect of i.c. bombesin (40 ng kg-1) was prevented by prior administration of L-NAME (80 microg kg-1) in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (DMN). This dose of L-NAME when administered into the nucleus of the tractus s…
Alpha-defensins (α-Defs) in Crohn's disease: decrease of ileal α-Def 5 via permanent methylation and increase in plasma α-Def 1-3 concentrations offering biomarker utility.
Summary An impaired expression of α-defensins (α-Defs) in the ileal mucosa and, conversely, increased levels in plasma, have been reported in Crohn's disease (CD). However, the specificity and correlation of these findings with the degree of inflammation are unclear. We aimed to characterize the concentration and utility of ileal and plasma α-Defs in CD and to analyse a potential epigenetic mechanism of α-Def expression. Peripheral blood samples and ileal biopsies were obtained from patients at disease onset (aCD), from those who achieved remission (iCD) and from two control groups (healthy controls and non-CD-aetiology ileitis patients). Plasma α-Defs 1–3 and 4 were detected by enzyme-link…
Identification of Epigenetic Methylation Signatures With Clinical Value in Crohn's Disease.
INTRODUCTION: DNA methylation is an epigenetic mechanism that regulates gene expression and represents an important link between genotype, environment, and disease. It is a reversible and inheritable mechanism that could offer treatment targets. We aimed to assess the methylation changes on specific genes previously associated with Crohn's disease (CD) and to study their possible associations with the pathology. METHODS: We included 103 participants and grouped them into 2 cohorts (a first [n = 31] and a second validation [n = 72] cohort), with active CD (aCD) and inactive CD (iCD) and healthy participants (CTR). DNA was obtained from the peripheral blood and analyzed by the Agena platform.…
Inhibition of gastric acid secretion by stress: A protective reflex mediated by cerebral nitric oxide
Moderate somatic stress inhibits gastric acid secretion. We have investigated the role of endogenously released NO in this phenomenon. Elevation of body temperature by 3°C or a reduction of 35 mmHg (1 mmHg = 133 Pa) in blood pressure for 10 min produced a rapid and long-lasting reduction of distension-stimulated acid secretion in the rat perfused stomach in vivo . A similar inhibitory effect on acid secretion was produced by the intracisternal (i.c.) administration of oxytocin, a peptide known to be released during stress. Intracisternal administration of the NO-synthase inhibitor, N G -nitro- l -arginine methyl ester ( l -NAME) reversed the antisecretory effect induced by all these stimul…
Correlation between fecal calprotectin and inflammation in the surgical specimen of Crohn's disease
Background: An accurate assessment of the inflammatory activity is crucial to establish the most appropriate treatment in Crohn's disease (CD). The present study aimed to evaluate the utility of preoperative fecal calprotectin (FC) measurement in small bowel CD and its relationship with inflammatory activity in surgical pathology specimens. Methods: This was a prospective observational study including all the patients with small bowel CD operated on at our center between March 2011 and September 2013. Preoperative laboratory and stool tests were performed. A meticulous exploration of entire small bowel was performed during surgery, and the resected bowel (or a sample of whole intestinal wal…
Mitochondrial dysfunction, persistent oxidative damage, and catalase inhibition in immune cells of naïve and treated Crohnʼs disease
Background: Oxidative stress is considered a potential etiological factor for Crohn's disease (CD). We characterized the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated in immune peripheral cells of CD patients, as well as their antioxidant enzyme status and the presence of oxidative damage. In addition, mitochondrial function (ΔΨm) was analyzed to detect the possible origin of ROS. Methods: Cells were obtained from patients at the onset of disease, prior to any treatment. Experiments were repeated when patients were in clinical remission. A set of experiments was carried out in a group of CD patients in persistent morphological remission. Controls were healthy volunteers who were not receiving any…
Cardiovascular effects of the methanol and dichloromethanol extracts fromTeucrium flavum L.
The effects on arterial blood pressure and heart rate of the methanol and dichloromethanol extracts from Teucrium flavumL. were analysed in urethane anaesthetized rats. Mean arterial blood pressure was significantly reduced by the i.v. administration of both extracts to normotensive rats. The methanol extract also induced a decrease in the heart rate, while the dichloromethanol extract lacked any effect on this parameter. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of the analgesic and CNS actions of different fractions from the methanol extract ofTeucrium flavum L.
Different fractions (F.1, F-3, F-5, F-6, F-7, F-8) of the methanol extract from Teucrium flavum L. have been tested for their central nervous system and analgesic activities at a dose of 200 mg/kg. Fractions F-1, F-3 and F-7 showed CNS depressant activity, while fractions F-5, F-6 and F-8 had a slight CNS stimulant action. Fractions F-5, F-6, F-7 and F-8 were responsible for the analgesic activity of the extract.
Evaluation of the analgesic action of different fractions from the methanol extract of Teucrium buxifolium L
Different fractions (F-2, F-3, F-5) of the methanol extract from Teucrium buxifolium L. have been tested for their analgesic activity in mice. All of them exhibited peripheral analgesic activity except F-3, Fraction F-5 had the strongest effect and was subjected to a second re-extraction. The subfractions obtained (F-5/3 and F-5/8) exhibited a similar activity to that observed with the whole fraction. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cardiovascular effects of the methanol and dichloromethanol extracts fromTeucrium cartaginenses L.
Methanol and dichloromethanol extracts of the leaves and stems of Teucrium cartaginensesL. have been tested for their effects on resting arterial blood pressure, heart rate and noradrenaline induced hypertension. Both extracts administered i.v. to urethane anaesthetized normotensive rats reduced mean arterial blood pressure and heart valve, while only the dichloromethanol extract prevented noradrenaline induced hypertension. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cardiovascular effects of the methanol and dichloromethanol extracts fromMentha suaveolensEhrh.
Methanol and dichloromethanol extracts of the leaves and stems of Mentha suaveolens Ehrh. have been tested for their effects on resting arterial blood pressure, heart rate and noradrenaline induced hypertension. Both extracts administered by i.v. bolus to urethane anaesthetized normotensive rats reduced the mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate, while only the dichloromethanol extract prevented the noradrenaline induced hypertension.
Effects on arterial blood pressure of the methanol extracts from differentTeucriumspecies
Methanol extracts of the leaves and stems of two Teucrium species (T. pumillum L. and T. buxifolium L.) have been tested for their effects on resting arterial blood pressure. Both T. pumillum L. and T. buxifolium L. extracts reduced mean arterial blood pressure in a dose dependent manner when administered i.v. to urethane anaesthetized normotensive rats. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Role of the Endothelium in the Relaxation Induced by Propofol and Thiopental in Isolated Arteries from Man
Abstract Induction of anaesthesia with intravenous propofol and thiopental is often accompanied by hypotension. This study evaluates whether propofol and thiopental induce relaxation of isolated arteries from man and whether this effect is modulated by the endothelium. Mesenteric artery rings (with and without endothelium) from 12 patients were placed in organ baths and precontracted with phenylephrine before addition of propofol (10−3 M) or thiopental (10−3 M). Relaxation induced by propofol and thiopental was evaluated for rings with intact endothelium in the presence of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME; 10−4 M) or the cyclooxygenase inhibitor i…
Study of the Viral and Microbial Communities Associated With Crohn's Disease: A Metagenomic Approach
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to analyze and compare the diversity and structure of the viral and microbial communities in fecal samples from a control group of healthy volunteers and from patients affected by Crohn's disease (CD). METHODS: Healthy adult controls (n=8) and patients affected by ileocolic CD (n=11) were examined for the viral and microbial communities in their feces and, in one additional case, in the intestinal tissue. Using two different approaches, we compared the viral and microbial communities in several ways: by group (patients vs. controls), entity (viruses vs. bacteria), read assembly (unassembled vs. assembled reads), and methodology (our approach vs. an existing pipe…
Nitric Oxide Modulates the Acute Increase of Gastrointestinal Transit Induced by Endotoxin in Rats: a Possible Role for Tachykinins
Abstract Because of the evidence that endogenous nitric oxide (NO) plays an essential role in the physiological regulation of gastrointestinal motility we have investigated, by use of the NO synthase inhibitor, NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME), the role of endogenous NO in the acute endotoxin-induced changes of gastrointestinal transit. Pre-treatment with E. coli endotoxin (100 μg kg−, i.v.) induced a significant increase in the gastrointestinal transit of a charcoal suspension in anaesthetized rats. Previous administration of the NO synthase inhibitor, l-NAME (10 mg kg−, i.v.) significantly prevented the effects of endotoxin. l-arginine (200 mg kg−, i.v.) and the substance P antag…
Pharmacological Screening of DifferentJuniperus oxycedrusL. Extracts
Methanol and dichloromethanol extracts of leaves and stems of Juniperus oxycedrus have been tested for their toxicity, analgesic, antiinflammatory and central effects. Both extracts showed low acute toxicity and decreased spontaneous motility. The methanol extract exhibited an analgesic effect in models of chemical, mechanical and thermal stimulation whereas dichloromethanol extract showed only a significant effect in models of pain induced by chemical stimulation. Both extracts showed a significant antiinflammatory activity and inhibition of the rat paw oedema induced by carrageenin.
Different Genetic Expression Profiles of Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis-Related Genes in Crohn's Disease.
<b><i>Background/Aims:</i></b> Increased oxidative stress and decreased immune cell apoptosis have been reported to be important factors in the pathogenesis of Crohn’s disease (CD). Our aim was to characterize the genetic expression of molecules implicated in the regulation of oxidative stress and apoptosis in peripheral white mononuclear cells of 18 healthy volunteers (controls) and 20 patients at the onset of CD (active CD [aCD]): 10 who achieved remission (inactive CD [iCD]) and 10 who did not present a complete and deep response to treatment (aCD-T). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> mRNA expression was measured by the Agena MassARRAY quantitative ge…
Metagenomic Analysis of Crohn's Disease Patients Identifies Changes in the Virome and Microbiome Related to Disease Status and Therapy, and Detects Potential Interactions and Biomarkers.
Background The aim of this study was to survey the bacterial and viral communities in different types of samples from patients with Crohn's disease (CD) at different stages of the disease to relate their distribution with the origin and progression of this disorder. Methods A total of 42 fecal samples and 15 biopsies from 20 patients with CD and 20 healthy control individuals were collected for bacterial 16S rRNA gene profiling and DNA/RNA virome metagenomic analysis through 454 pyrosequencing. Their composition, abundance, and diversity were analyzed, and comparisons of disease status, patient status, and sample origin were used to determine statistical differences between the groups. Resu…
In vitro pharmacological evaluation of the dichloromethanol extract fromSchinus molle l.
The pharmacological activity of the dichloromethanol extract of Schinus molle L. (SM-DCM) was analysed in in vitro models. Preincubation of the isolated guinea-pig ileum or rat uterus preparations with the extract (100 μg/mL) abolished the contractile effects of histamine and serotonin respectively. At the same dose, the extract partially reduced the contractile effects of acetylcholine on the isolated rat duodenum. A 10 μg/mL dose showed an inhibitory effect on histamine and serotonin, but not on acetylcholine-induced contractions (NS). No significant effect was found with a 1 μg/mL dose. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
La resonancia magnética y el índice MaRIA en la valoración preoperatoria de la enfermedad de Crohn ileal
Abstract Introduction Accurate quantification of the inflammatory activity in Crohn’s Disease is essential to decide the adequate treatment for each patient. The aim of the present study is to assess the correlation between the pre-operative Magnetic Resonance Index of Activity (MaRIA) and the histologic degree of inflammation from surgically resected intestinal Crohn’s Disease lesions. Methods This is a prospective study including a consecutive case series of patients with small bowel Crohn’s Disease, who underwent surgical resection. A Magnetic Resonance Enterography was performed during the three months prior to surgery, applying a pre-established protocol. Relative contrast enhancements…
Foetal erythrocytes exhibit an increased ability to scavenge for nitric oxide
The presence of adult human whole blood inhibited in vitro relaxations of rat aortic rings by the nitric oxide (NO) donor S-nitroso-N-acetyl-DL-penicillamine (SNAP). Incubation with foetal blood containing the same concentration of haemoglobin produced a shift to the right of the relaxation curve. SNAP-induced vasorelaxations were more inhibited by dialysed solutions of haemoglobin than by the presence of erythrocytes in the organ bath, but there were no differences between the effect of adult or foetal haemoglobins. The presence of plasma from adult or foetal blood did not modify the effects of SNAP. Relaxations induced by endogenous, endothelium-derived, NO were more inhibited by foetal t…