Astragalin Inhibits Nuclear Factor-κB Signaling in Human ColonicEpithelial Cells and Attenuates Experimental Colitis in Mice

Background/Aims@#Astragalin (kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucoside) is a flavonoid isolated from the leaves of persimmon or Rosa agrestis. Astragalin exhibits various anti-inflammatory properties; however, little is known about its therapeutic potential for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study aims to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of astragalin via blockade of the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway in human colonic epithelial cells and a murine colitis model. @*Methods@#HCT-116 and HT-29 human colonic epithelial cells were pretreated with astragalin and stimulated with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Cell viability was assessed by the MTS assay. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to analyze the messenger RNA expression of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8. The effect of astragalin on the NF-κB pathway was evaluated by Western blot analysis of inhibitor of NF-κB alpha (IκBα) phosphorylation/degradation and by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced acute murine colitis model was used for in vivo experiments. @*Results@#Astragalin strongly suppressed the expression of proinflammatory cytokines in human colonic epithelial cells in a dose-dependent manner. Western blot analysis showed that astragalin inhibited IκBα phosphorylation/degradation. Additionally, astragalin reduced the DNA binding ac-tivity of NF-κB. Astragalin alleviated colon shortening and improved the pathologic scores in DSSinduced acute murine colitis model. Furthermore, astragalin reduced the level of phosphorylated IκBα and decreased the production of the inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α in the DSS-treated colon mucosa. @*Conclusions@#Astragalin exerted an anti-inflammatory effect through NF-κB pathway inhibition and attenuated murine colitis. Astragalin is thus a potential therapeutic agent for IBD.

Association Between Anxiety and Depression and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease: Results From a Large Cross-sectional Study

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The different clinical manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may be influenced by associated psychological factors. We evaluated the psychological status (anxiety and depression) according to each subtype of GERD. METHODS: Subjects who underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy and completed a symptom questionnaire between January 2008 and December 2011 were analyzed. The subjects were classified into the following groups: erosive reflux disease (ERD), non-erosive reflux disease (NERD), asymptomatic erosive esophagitis (AEE), and controls. Anxiety and depression were assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and Beck Depression Inventory, respectively. RESULTS: We analyzed 19 099 subjects: 16 157 (84.6%), 176 (0.9%), 1398 (7.3%), and 1368 (7.2%) in the control, ERD, NERD, and AEE groups, respectively. Multiple multinomial logistic regression revealed a significant association of increased state (adjusted OR, 1.89; 95% CI, 1.53–2.33) and trait anxiety (adjusted OR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.34–2.35) and depression (adjusted OR, 2.21; 95% CI, 1.75–2.80) with NERD. ERD group showed a significant association only with state anxiety (adjusted OR, 2.20; 95% CI, 1.27–3.81) and depression (adjusted OR, 2.23; 95% CI, 1.18–4.22). The AEE group, however, did not show any significant association with psychological factors. CONCLUSION: This cross-sectional study revealed that anxiety and depression levels were significantly higher in subjects with GERD (notably in the NERD) than in controls.

Risk Factors for Vitamin D, Zinc, and Selenium Deficiencies in Korean Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Studies on the micronutrient status of Asian patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are scarce. We evaluated the prevalence of micronutrient deficiency and verified the risk factors for micronutrient deficiency in Korean patients with IBD. METHODS: We measured the serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25-(OH)D], zinc, and selenium to analyze the clinical risk factors for micronutrient levels below the reference values. In addition, we compared the 25-(OH)D levels of patients with IBD to those of age- and sex-matched healthy controls. RESULTS: Among the 83 patients, 74 (89.2%) had suboptimal serum 25-(OH)D levels. The mean plasma 25-(OH)D level in patients with IBD was significantly reduced compared to that of the healthy controls (12.3±6.2 ng/mL vs 20.0±6.7 ng/mL; p<0.001). The proportions of patients with lower serum zinc and selenium levels were 39.0% and 30.9%, respectively. Female sex (p=0.012) and Crohn’s disease (p=0.012) were associated with vitamin D deficiency. Patients younger than 40 years were at increased risk for zinc deficiency (p=0.045). Female sex (p=0.015) and low serum albumin level (<3.3 g/dL) (p=0.047) were risk factors for selenium deficiency. CONCLUSIONS: Many Korean patients with IBD have vitamin D, zinc, and selenium deficiencies, suggesting the necessity for monitoring levels of these micronutrients.

Comparison of the Efficacies of Parenteral Iron Sucrose and Oral Iron Sulfate for Anemic Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Korea

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The optimal route for iron administration in anemic patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has not been determined. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacies of parenteral and oral iron therapy in IBD patients in Korea. METHODS: A retrospective multicenter study was performed. Patients who had been administered parenteral iron were matched to the controls with oral iron at a 1:1 ratio according to age, sex, and type of IBD. RESULTS: Patients that received parenteral iron exhibited increases in hemoglobin levels of ≥20% from the baseline at lower doses and in shorter durations (p=0.034 and p=0.046, respectively). In the multivariate analysis, parenteral iron therapy appeared to be more efficient than oral iron therapy, but this difference was not statistically significant (hazard ratio [HR], 1.552; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.844 to 2.851; p=0.157). Patients with ulcerative colitis responded better to iron therapy than those with Crohn's disease (HR, 3.415; 95% CI, 1.808 to 6.450; p<0.001). Patients with an initial hemoglobin level of 10 g/dL or higher responded poorly to iron therapy (HR, 0.345; 95% CI, 0.177 to 0.671; p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Parenteral iron therapy appears to be more efficient than oral iron therapy. Physicians should focus on the iron deficiency of IBD patients and consider parenteral iron supplements in appropriate patient groups.

Colon Capsule Endoscopy: Where Are We and Where Are We Going

Colon capsule endoscopy (CCE) is a noninvasive technique for diagnostic imaging of the colon. It does not require air inflation or sedation and allows minimally invasive and painless colonic evaluation. The role of CCE is rapidly evolving; for example, for colorectal screening (colorectal cancer [CRC]) in average-risk patients, in patients with an incomplete colonoscopy, in patients refusing a conventional colonoscopy, and in patients with contraindications for conventional colonoscopy. In this paper, we comprehensively review the technical characteristics and procedure of CCE and compare CCE with conventional methods such as conventional colonoscopy or computed tomographic colonography. Future expansion of CCE in the area of CRC screening for the surveillance of polyps and adenomatous lesions and for assessment of inflammatory bowel disease is also discussed.

Recent Chemotherapy Reduces the Maximum-Standardized Uptake Value of 18F-Fluoro-Deoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography in Colorectal Cancer

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of recent chemotherapy on the patterns of the maximum-standardized uptake value (M-SUV) and sensitivity of 18F-fluoro-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG-PET/CT) in colorectal cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the FDG-PET/CT of 509 patients who underwent surgery for colorectal cancer. Subgroup analysis was performed according to chemotherapy status; 401 patients were not treated with chemotherapy and 108 patients were treated with chemotherapy within 6 months prior to surgery. Pathologic analysis of the surgical specimen was used as the gold standard. RESULTS: The M-SUV was significantly lower in patients treated with chemotherapy than in those not treated with chemotherapy in pathologically confirmed same stages of disease. The difference in the sensitivity of the M-SUV according to chemotherapy status was greatest using a cutoff M-SUV value of 6.4 (p<0.001). The longest diameter of the primary tumor was the most important factor that correlated with M-SUV of the primary tumor irrespective of the chemotherapy effect (p<0.001). The M-SUV of the primary tumor was not an independent predictor of lymph node metastasis in colorectal cancer. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that the M-SUV of FDG-PET/CT should be interpreted in the context of concurrent chemotherapy.

Endoscopic Removal of a Migrated Coil after Embolization of a Splenic Pseudoaneurysm: A Case Report

Splenic artery pseudoaneurysms can be caused by pancreatitis, trauma, or operation. Traditionally, the condition has been managed through surgery; however, nowadays, transcatheter arterial embolization is performed safely and effectively. Nevertheless, several complications of pseudoaneurysm embolization have been reported, including coil migration. Herein, we report a case of migration of the coil into the jejunal lumen after transcatheter arterial embolization of a splenic artery pseudoaneurysm. The migrated coil was successfully removed by performing endoscopic intervention.

A Case of Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura Associated with Preexisting Ulcerative Colitis Treated with Colectomy and Splenectomy

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease of unknown etiology, associated with extraintestinal manifestations, including the rarely reported immune thrombocytopenic purpura. Here, we present a case of immune thrombocytopenic purpura associated with preexisting ulcerative colitis. The patient was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis 13 years ago. Two years after diagnosis, he presented with hematochezia and active ulcerative colitis. Despite steroid use, the platelet count gradually decreased to 21,000/mm3. Hematochezia and the platelet count recovered after the administration of cyclosporine, and ulcerative colitis was in near complete remission for 11 years. However, the patient was re-admitted for hematochezia and thrombocytopenia persisting over a month. Medical management including increased doses of steroids in combination with cyclosporin failed to control hematochezia and thrombocytopenia. Immune thrombocytopenic purpura was suspected on the basis of normocellular marrow with a normal number of megakaryocytes. To treat uncontrolled colitis and steroid-refractory thrombocytopenia, total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis and splenectomy were performed. The patient was followed up for 10 months after surgery and was found to be in good health with a normal platelet count. Therefore, colectomy alone or in combination with splenectomy should be considered in cases of life-threatening ulcerative colitis complicated with steroid-refractory immune thrombocytopenic purpura.

Clinical Characteristics of Lower Gastrointestinal Cancer in Crohn's Disease: Case Series of 5 Patients

Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disease that can involve the entire gastrointestinal tract. Several studies indicate that Crohn's patients with long disease duration have an increased risk of small bowel or colorectal cancer. In Korea, only a few cases of Crohn's disease-related small bowel or colorectal cancer have been reported. Here, we described 3 cases of colorectal cancer and 2 cases of small bowel cancer in patients with Crohn's disease. Among 5 patients, 3 had Crohn's disease-related lower gastrointestinal malignancy and the other 2 had sporadic lower gastrointestinal malignancies. Since the diagnosis of Crohn's disease-related lower gastrointestinal malignancy tends to be delayed, the development of malignancy should be considered in patients with long duration of Crohn's disease if patients have refractory symptoms despite intensive medical treatment. Surgical consultation should not be delayed.

A Case of Gastroduodenal Mucosa-associated Lymphoid Tissue Lymphoma Regression after Eradication of Helicobacter pylori

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is a neoplasm with low-grade malignancy that arises from the MALT of various organs. Among the various MALT lymphomas, gastric MALT lymphoma is the most frequently reported, and it has been correlated with Helicobacter pylori infection. In contrast, duodenal MALT lymphoma is very rare, and a relationship with H. pylori has not been established. This case report describes a very rare case of MALT lymphoma arising in both the stomach and duodenum that regressed after eradication of H. pylori.