Search results for "Bowel disease"

IL-12 family members in experimental colitis

2008

Interleukin (IL)-12 p35/p40 is a heterodimeric cytokine that plays an important role in T helper (Th) cell polarization and Th1 T-cell differentiation. Recent findings have shown that both p35 and p40 can form other cytokines with different proteins (IL-23: p19/p40; IL-35: p35/EBI3). Furthermore, the cytokine IL-27 (EBI3/p28) has been identified as a member of the IL-12 family. Here, we discuss the recent findings on the role of IL-12 family members in experimental colitis. In particular, the role of IL-23 as a master regulator of effector T-cell activation is highlighted. These findings have important implications for the design of new therapeutic approaches in chronic intestinal inflammat…

Regulatory T cells--the renaissance of the suppressor T cells.

2007

Immune reactions are stringently regulated and balanced by complex interactions of stimulating and suppressing mechanisms. Dysfunctions of this sophisticated immune regulatory network can lead to a variety of diseases such as autoimmunity, allergy, cancer, and pregnancy disorders. The rediscovery of suppressor T cells a decade ago--now designated as T regulatory cells--set off a huge avalanche of research activities leading to a multitude of preclinical and clinical studies. Herein, we give a comprehensive review about this research on T regulatory cells and the relevance of this suppressive T cell population for the development of innovative immune therapeutic strategies.

Advances in endoscopic imaging of colorectal neoplasia.

2010

Colon cancer screening is arguably the most important activity performed by gastroenterologists. Recent decreases in rates of death from colorectal cancer indicate that screening methods such as colonoscopy have a positive impact. There is still room for improvement, however, particularly in prevention of right-sided colon cancer. Practice issues, such as making colonoscopy more comfortable, safer, and less costly, are keys to continued success in cancer prevention. Colonoscopy techniques, technologies, and quality control measures have advanced to improve detection, classification, and removal of early neoplasias. In particular, slow, careful inspection of the colon by gastroenterologists …

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

1979

The endoscopic aspects of an inflammatory colon disease do not permit the differentiation of a nonspecific proctitis from a bacterial enterocolitis and an ulcerative proctitis.

Diagnosis of chronic anaemia in gastrointestinal disorders: a guideline by the Italian Association of Hospital Gastroenterologists and Endoscopists (…

2019

Anaemia is a common pathologic condition, present in almost 5% of the adult population. Iron deficiency is the most common cause; other mechanisms can be involved, making anaemia a multi-factorial disorder in most cases. Anaemia being a frequent manifestation in the diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, patients are often referred to gastroenterologists. Furthermore, upper and lower endoscopy and enteroscopy are pivotal to the diagnostic roadmap of anaemia. In spite of its relevance in the daily clinical practice, there is a limited number of gastroenterological guidelines dedicated to the diagnosis of anaemia. For this reason, the Italian Association of Hospital Gastroenterologists and E…

Elevated serum eotaxin levels in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

2002

OBJECTIVE: Eotaxin is a recently characterized chemokine with potent and selective chemotactic activity for eosinophils. Previous studies indicating that eosinophils accumulate and become activated in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) led us to hypothesize that eotaxin is potentially involved in the pathophysiology of IBD and, therefore, that eotaxin would be increased in the serum of patients with IBD. The objective of this study was to test those assumptions. METHODS: We investigated 72 patients with IBD, 35 with ulcerative colitis, and 37 with Crohn’s disease. A total of 27 patients had active and 45 inactive disease; 26 were receiving corticosteroids. Eotaxin serum levels were determined…

P114 A screening tool for the early diagnosis of extraintestinal manifestations in inflammatory bowel disease: the EMAIL questionnaire

2020

Abstract Background Data on prevalence of extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) range from 6% up to 47%. Recently, several red flags and questionnaires have been proposed for early diagnosis of articular manifestations. Our aim was to analyse the prevalence of EIMs in a single-centre prospective cohort, using a comprehensive questionnaire developed by our group to detect all EIMs (EMAIL questionnaire). Methods Patients with IBD attending our Clinic from November 2017 to January 2019 were interviewed using a two-part questionnaire, the first part for clinical-demographic data and the second part for EIMs. Patients positive to screening were referred for mu…

Beneficial Effect of Shikonin on Experimental Colitis Induced by Dextran Sulfate Sodium in Balb/C Mice

2012

[EN] The naphthoquinone shikonin, a major component of the root of Lithospermum erythrorhizon, now is studied as an anti-inflammatory agent in the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). Acute UC was induced in Balb/C mice by oral administration of 5% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). The disease activity index was evaluated, and a histologic study was carried out. Orally administered shikonin reduces induced UC in a dose-dependent manner, preventing the shortening of the colorectum and decreasing weight loss by 5% while improving the appearance of feces and preventing bloody stools. The disease activity index score was much lower in shikonin-treated mice than in the colitic group, as well as the…

Food hypersensitivity in patients with irritable bowel syndrome: the diagnostic role of fecal assays.

2011

Screening and Construction of Probiotic Strains with Enhanced Protective Properties against Intestinal Disorders

2011

Within the scope of the DEPROHEALTH project, a range of wild-type strains of Lactobacillus were analysed for their ability to interact with the host immune system. While the studied isolates interacted in a strain-specific way with immune cells, they seemed to have little and non-discriminative effect on epithelial cells. However, they were shown to facilitate the cross-talk between intestinal and immune cells. Studies conducted in mouse colitis models confirmed that specific strains possess higher intrinsic anti-inflammatory properties. Two of these were further engineered to produce murine IL10 and are presently being evaluated for their protective effect in a TNBS colitis model. Cell wal…