Campsiandra laurifolia reduces oxidative stress and Iiflammation in rats with ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) affects the mucosa and submucosa of the large intestine. One of the mechanisms involved in its etiology is oxidative stress (OS), directly involved in the inflammatory process characteristic of UC. The Campsiandra laurifolia, known as acapurana, was described as possessing antioxidant properties. We used 24 male Wistar rats, divided into control (CO), control + acapurana (CO + A), colitis (CL), and colitis + acapurana (CL + A) groups. This study performed histological analysis, measuring anal sphincter pressure (ASP) and lipoperoxidation (LPO). The activity of the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) levels were evaluated. The expression of the nuclear factor kappa B (NFkB) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. The statistical analysis used was the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by the Student-Newman-Keuls test; values were expressed as mean ± standard error, and the significance level was p < 0.05. In the animals of the CL group, we observed the destruction of the crypts and the presence of mucosal ulcers, edema, and submucosal inflammatory infiltrate, as well as increased damage to the intestinal mucosa, reduced ASP, increased LPO and SOD activity, reduced GSH levels, and increased expression of NFkB and iNOS. The administration of C. laurifolia in the CL + A group was shown to cause regeneration of crypts, reduction of inflammatory infiltrate, reduction of damage to the intestinal mucosa, increase in ASP, and reduction in LPO with the restoration of SOD activity and GSH levels. The immunohistochemistry of NFkB and iNOS was significantly reduced. Therefore, the C. laurifolia aqueous extract appears to exert an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect in rats with AA-induced colitis. (AU)

Colitis ulcerosa en adolescente / An Adolescent with Ulcerative Colitis

Introducción: La colitis ulcerosa es una enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal de etiología multifactorial, que afecta principalmente al colon y al recto. Sus síntomas cardinales son diarrea crónica, rectorragia y dolor abdominal en cuadros severos. Su curso se caracteriza por periodos de remisión y de actividad llamados brotes, aunque en una menor proporción puede mostrar una actividad continua. Cuando afecta el recto, el colon izquierdo o más zonas se denomina pancolitis. La colonoscopia con biopsias múltiples es imprescindible para confirmar el diagnóstico y valorar la extensión de la enfermedad. Objetivo: Remarcar y promover el cuadro clínico que permita la sospecha diagnóstica de la colitis ulcerosa en el primer nivel de atención. Caso clínico: Paciente de 19 años de edad con antecedentes de diarrea crónica sanguinolenta, refractaria a varios tratamientos, que remitió por sí misma y que posteriormente recidiva con mayor severidad, lo que hace sospechar de una etiología atípica: colitis ulcerosa(AU)

Introduction: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) of multifactorial etiology that affects the colon and rectum. Its cardinal symptoms are diarrhea, rectal bleeding and abdominal pain(in severe cases). In its course alternate periods of remission and activity (flares), although in a minority it has continuous activity. The extension may affect the rectum, the left colon or even more zones (pancolitis). Colonoscopy with multiples biopsies is essential to confirm diagnosis and evaluate the extension of the disease. Objective: To publicize the clinical picture that allows the diagnostic suspicion of ulcerative colitis at the first level of care. Clinical case: We report a clinical case of a patient of 19 years old with a history of chronic bloody diarrhea refractory to various treatments, which remitted itself and later relapsed more severely, making suspicious of an atypical etiology: ulcerative colitis(AU)

Nutrición y enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal: posibles mecanismos en la incidencia y manejo / Nutrition and inflammatory bowel disease: possible mechanisms of diet on the incidence and management

La enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal (EII), cuyos fenotipos más frecuentes son la enfermedad de Crohn (EC) y la colitis ulcerosa (CU), tiene una etiología multifactorial, que resulta de la interacción de factores genéticos, ambientales y del microbioma. Su incidencia ha aumentado en las últimas décadas, así como también lo ha hecho la occidentalización de la dieta: alta en grasas, carbohidratos refinados, azúcar, carnes rojas y alimentos procesados. Una dieta occidental es considerada como factor de riesgo para el desarrollo de EII, ya que está asociada a disbiosis, alteración de la barrera intestinal y de la inmunidad del huésped. Existen diversas dietas de eliminación que podrían ejercer un rol en la inducción/mantención de la remisión. Sin embargo, la mayoría requiere estudios de mejor calidad científica para poder recomendarlas. A su vez, existen suplementos nutricionales que estarían asociados a la incidencia y curso de la enfermedad. El objetivo de esta revisión es mostrar el posible rol de la dieta en la incidencia de la EII, y las estrategias dieto-terapéuticas, incluyendo suplementos específicos y nutrición enteral, considerando periodos de crisis y remisión.

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), most frequent phenotypes Crohn's disease and Ulcerative colitis, have a multifactorial etiology, resulting from genetics, environmental triggers and microbiome alterations. Its incidence has been increasing as well as the western diet, high in fat, refined carbohydrates, sugar, red meat and processed foods. A western diet is considered a risk factor for the development of IBD, since it is associated with dysbiosis, alteration of the intestinal barrier and host immunity. There are several elimination diets that could play a role in induction/maintenance of remission. However, most of them require better quality scientific studies. Also, there are nutritional supplements associated with the incidence and evolution of the disease. The aim of this review is to show the possible role of the diet in the incidence, and diet-therapeutic strategies, including specific supplements and enteral nutrition, considering periods of active disease and remission

Colitis ulcerativa extensa severa presentación caso / Severe extensive ulcerative colitis. Case presentation

RESUMEN La colitis ulcerativa es una enfermedad crónica recidivante del tracto gastrointestinal, que evoluciona por recaídas formando parte de las enfermedades inflamatorias intestinales (EII). Afecta la mucosa y submucosa del colon, caracterizada por un proceso ulcerativo y supurado de la mucosa. La diarrea crónica con sangre es el síntoma más importante. En su curso alternan periodos de remisión y de crisis. No existe un criterio patognomónico para su definición, su diagnóstico se basa en una serie de criterios clínicos, endoscópicos e histológicos. Esta entidad infrecuente en su forma extensa severa. Aparece en un paciente, que llega a la institución de salud refiriendo que hace aproximadamente dos años, presenta cuadros de diarreas intermitentes con sangre, tratadas en el área de salud. Se le realizó Rx y colonoscopia constatando presencia de eritema, granularidad mucosa, friabilidad, pérdida de la vascularización submucosa, erosiones y ulceraciones extensas, profundas, signos de edema, pseudopólipos, pérdida de haustras, rigidez, sangrado, tractos fibrosos y presencia de exudado luminal. Se diagnosticó colitis extensa ulcerativa severa y se orientó tratamiento médico endovenoso y se continuó por via oral, obteniendo la remisión del cuadro clínico desde el punto de vista clínico y endoscópico (AU).

ABSTRACT Ulcerative colitis is a chronic recidivist disease of the gastrointestinal tract, evolving by relapses and is one of the intestinal inflammatory diseases. It affects the colon mucosa and sub-mucosa, characterized for an ulcerative process and mucosa exudation. Chronic diarrhea with blood is the most important symptom. Periods of crisis and remission alternated in its course; there is not a pathognomonic criteria for its definition and its diagnosis is based in a series of clinical, endoscopic and histological criteria. This entity, infrequent in extensive severe form, appears in a patient arriving to the hospital referring having intermittent diarrheas with blood for two years, treated in the health area. He undergone a radiography and colonoscopy, showing the presence of an erythema, mucosa granularity, friability, lost of submucosa vascularization, deep extensive erosions and ulcerations, edema signs, pseudo polyps, haustras lost, stiffness, bleeding, fibrous tracts and presence of luminal exudates. Severe ulcerative extensive colitis was diagnosed and was prescribed an endovenous medical treatment, continued orally, achieving the disease remission from the clinical and endoscopic point of view (AU).

Actualización y manejo práctico de colitis ulcerosa / Update and practical management of ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an autoimmune inflammatory chronic disease, which compromises the colonic mucosa continuously, affecting the rectum with a variable proximal extension to the cecum, in a relapsing and remitting way. The higher incidences and prevalence are described in Europe and North America, with no precise epidemiologic data from Chile. It usually presents in young patients with bloody diarrhea, with the diagnostic confirmation made by colonoscopic and histologic studies. There is no definitive cure for this condition, but the aim of the treatment is symptom resolution and endoscopic mucosal healing, based in the early use of 5-aminosalicylic acid drugs, steroids for a crisis, immunosuppressants, with some patients requiring biologic agents to reach remission. In some cases, colectomy is the last source for refractory disease or for treating colonic neoplasia. This review focuses on practical management of UC. (AU)

Factores predictivos de la colitis ulcerativa en pediatría y sus carácterísticas clínicas, endoscópicas e histológicas / Predictors of ulcerative colitis in children and their clinical, endoscopic and histological characteristics

Introducción:La colitis ulcerativa (CU), es un trastorno inflamatorio difuso que afecta el recto y se extiende en dirección proximal y continua. Objetivo:Identificar los factores predictivos de laCUen pacientes pediátricos y describir el grado de actividad clínica, endoscópica e histológica, y las manifestaciones extraintestinales más frecuentes. Materiales y métodos:Estudio de casos y controles. La muestra quedó constituida por 66 pacientes, menores de 19 años, 22 casos con diagnóstico de CU y 44 controles de igual sexo y edad. Se diseñó y aplicó un cuestionario para recoger información acerca de los posibles factores predictivos asociados a la CU y se aplicó análisis de regresión logística multivariada. Conclusiones:Los factores predict ivos de la CU y las manifestaciones extraintestinales encontradas en el estudio son consistentes con lo reportado en la literatura.

Objective:To identify the predictive factors of Ulcerative Colitis (UC) in children, and to describe the clinical, endoscopical and histological activity index, and the extraintestinal manifestations founded in this patients. Methods:Case–control study. Cases were UC patients aged 0 – 19 years (22) and 44 healthy age – and sex- matched, we designed and applied a questionnaire to collect the information about the possible predictive factors associated to the UC and we also applied a multi-variance logistic regression analysis.Conclusions: The predictive factors of the UC and the extraintestinal manifestations founded in this study were similar with the reported in the literature.

[Three case of IBD or exacerbation of IBD after ovulation induction]

Ulcerative colitis [UC] and Crohn's disease [CD], collectively referred to as inflammatory bowel disease [IBD], present with different histology and cytokine profiles. While the precise mechanisms underlying the development of IBD are not known, sufficient data have been collected to suggest that it results from a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and immunologic factors. An inappropriate mucosal immune response to normal intestinal constituents is a key feature, leading to an imbalance in local pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Neutrophil and monocyte influx occurs with subsequent secretion of oxygen radicals and enzymes, leading to tissue damage. Here we report three patients with sever symptom of IBD after ovarian stimulation. Cytokine profile after ovarian stimulation may contribute to the altered intestinal permeability due to increase in systemic inflammatory cytokines and neutrophil or macrophage activation. In our hypothesis ovulation induction can induce inflammation in intestinal mucosa or exacerbate previous IBD by different cytokines

Caracterización clínica, epidemiológica y endoscópica del cáncer colorrectal en pacientes geriátricos / Endoscopic, epidemiologic and clinic characterization of the colorectal cancer in geriatric patients

El cáncer colorrectal constituye un serio problema de salud por su alta incidencia. En Cuba, esta enfermedad ocupa la cuarta neoplasia en orden de frecuencia para una tasa de 17,1 por 100,000 habitantes. Con el objetivo de determinar el diagnóstico precoz de dicha afección se realizó un estudio descriptivo, longitudinal prospectivo a los pacientes geriátricos con enfermedad colorrectal que asistieron a la consulta del policlínico Carlos Verdugo de Matanzas, en el período de enero del 2006 a diciembre del 2007 , se estudió edad, sexo, factores de riesgos, forma de presentación, localización y el diagnóstico endoscópico de esta enfermedad. Los resultados mostraron predominio del sexo femenino (52,1 por ciento), en las edades de 60 a 69 años (59,3 por ciento), los factores de riesgos que predominaron fueron los antecedentes familiares (13,5 por ciento), la colitis ulcerativa idiopática (CUI) (8,1 por ciento), y la dieta inadecuada (35,1 por ciento), la colonoscopia fue el método diagnóstico más empleado (18 pacientes), con predominio del cáncer de rectosigmoide (15 casos), siendo el polipoideo el tipo endoscópico más frecuente (13 casos). Se concluyó que no se realiza generalmente un diagnóstico precoz del cáncer colorrectal en los gerontos lo que conlleva a una disminución de las posibilidades de curación o sobrevida de estos pacientes.

The colorectal cancer is a serious health problem because of its high incidence. In Cuba, this disease is the fourth neoplasia in order of frequency with a rate of 17,1 per 100 000 inhabitants. With the objective of determining the precocious diagnosis of this complaint we carried out a prospective, longitudinal and descriptive study among geriatric patients with colorectal disease assisting to consultation at the policlinic Carlos Verdugo of Matanzas in the period from January 2006 to December 2007. The studied parameters were age, genre, risk facts, presentation forms, localization, and endoscopic diagnosis of the disease. The results showed predominance of female sex (52,1 per cent), in ages from 60 to 69 years old (59.3 per cent), predominating risk facts like familiar antecedents (13,5 per cent), idiopathic ulcerative colitis (8.1 per cent), and an inadequate diet (35.1 per cent). The most used diagnostic method was colonoscopy (18 patients), with predominance of the rectosigmoidal cancer (15 cases), being the polypoid one the most common endoscopic kind (13 per cent). We concluded that generally there is not a precocious diagnosis of the colorectal cancer among geriatric patients, leading to a decrease of the healing possibilities and surviving of these patients.

aggressive course of de novo ulcerative colitis after renal transplantation: colonic adenocarcinoma with choriocarcinomatous differentation

A rare case of colonic carcinoma arising in de novo ulcerative colitis after renal transplantation in a 42-year-old woman is reported. Clinically, the patient presented ulcerative colitis 8 years after renal transplantation, developed colonic cancer with liver metastasis 2 years later and died one month post operatively. Histologically, the removed tumor was composed of two distinctive elements consisting of adenocarcinoma and choriocarcinoma. The metastatic foci in the liver were composed exclusively of choriocarcinoma. Identification as choriocarcinoma was made on the basis, of typical histological appearance, immunohistochemical demonstration of human chorionic gonadotropin [hCG] in the tumor cells and the high serum hCG level, unrelated to trophoblastic disease. In this report, pathogenesis is briefly discussed and clinical conditions are reviewed. In conclusion, the issue of de novo UC after organ transplantation is still a matter of debate. Further investigations are necessary to understand the tumorogenesis of colorectal cancer in de novo UC after renal transplantation

Evaluation of the immunoexpression of COX-1, COX-2 and p53 in Crohn's disease / Avaliação da imunoexpressão de COX-1, COX-2 e p53 na doença de Crohn

BACKGROUND: Crohn's disease accompanied by nonspecific or idiopathic ulcerative proctocolitis corresponds to a condition called intestinal inflammatory disease. The immunoexpression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) in Crohn's disease becomes more marked with progression of the disease and the presence of wild-type p53 suppresses the transcription of COX-2. AIMS: To investigate the immunoexpression of cyclooxygenase 1 (COX-1), COX-2 and p53 in Crohn's ileocolitis and to correlated this expression with clinical and histopathological parameters. METHODS: Forty-five cases of Crohn's disease, 16 cases of actinic colitis (diseased-control group) and 11 cases without a history of intestinal disease (normal control group) were studied. Hematoxylin-eosin-stained sections were submitted to histopathological analysis and the immunohistochemical expression of COX-1, COX-2 and p53 was evaluated by the streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase method. RESULTS: Sixty percent of the Crohn's disease patients were women and 40 percent were men, with 75.5 percent whites and 25.5 percent non-whites. The disease involved the terminal ileum in 44.5 percent of cases, ileum in 33.3 percent, colon in 20 percent and duodenum-ileum in 2.2 percent. A significant association was observed between COX-2 immunoreactivity and age <40 years. Histopathological analysis of Crohn's disease samples showed mild or moderate crypt distortion (57.8 percent and 35.6 percent of cases), atrophy (6.6 percent), mild, moderate and marked chronic inflammation (46.7 percent, 26.7 percent and 20 percent), acute inflammatory activity (93.3 percent), ulceration (24.4 percent), mucin depletion (37.8 percent), Paneth's cells (24.4 percent), intraepithelial lymphocytes (93.3 percent), and subepithelial collagen (6.7 percent). In the CD group, COX-1 immunoreactivity in epithelial and inflammatory cells was observed in 26.7 percent and 22.2 percent of cases, respectively. COX-2 immunoreactivity was detected...

RACIONAL: A doença de Crohn, junto com a colite ulcerativa idiopática ou inespecífica constituem a doença inflamatória intestinal. A imunoexpressão de ciclooxigenase 2 (COX-2) na doença de Crohn acentua-se com a progressão da doença, enquanto que a presença do tipo selvagem de p53 suprime a transcrição de COX-2. OBJETIVOS: Investigar a imunoexpressão de ciclooxigenase 1 (COX-1), COX-2 e p53 na doença de Crohn e correlacionar os achados com parâmetros clínico-histopatológicos. MÉTODOS: Foram estudados 45 casos de doença de Crohn (grupo teste), 16 casos de colite actínica (grupo controle-doente) e 11 casos sem história de doença intestinal (grupo controle normal). A avaliação histopatológica foi feita com lâminas coradas pela hematoxilina-eosina e a imunoexpressão de COX-1, COX-2 e p53 foi avaliada por imunoistoquímica, pelo método da estrepto-avidina-biotina-peroxidase. RESULTADOS: Entre os pacientes com doença de Crohn, 60 por cento eram do sexo feminino e 40 por cento do masculino, 75,5 por cento brancos e 25,5 por cento não-brancos. A doença comprometia o íleo terminal em 44,5 por cento dos casos, íleo em 33,3 por cento, cólon em 20 por cento e duodeno-íleo em 2,2 por cento. Associação significante foi detectada entre a imunoexpressão de COX-2 e pacientes com <40 anos. A histopatologia dos casos de doença de Crohn mostrou distorção críptica em grau leve ou moderado (57,8 por cento e 35,6 por cento dos casos), atrofia (6,6 por cento), inflamação focal, difusa superficial e difusa transmural (46,7 por cento, 26,7 por cento e 20 por cento), inflamação aguda neutrofílica (93,3 por cento), alterações epiteliais: ulceração (24,4 por cento), depleção de mucina (37,8 por cento), células de Paneth (24,4 por cento); alterações epiteliais associadas: linfócitos intra-epiteliais (93,3 por cento) e colágeno subepitelial (6,7 por cento). No grupo doença de Crohn, imunoexpressão de COX-1, em células epiteliais e inflamatórias foi observada em 26,7...

Epidemiología y etiopatogenia de las enfermedades inflamatorias intestinales en niños / Epidemiology and etiopathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases in childrens

El comportamiento epidemiológico de las enfermedades inflamatorias intestinales (EII), ha variado en las últimas décadas. En áreas geografías de presentación infrecuente, como América latina, las tasas de incidencia y prevalencia han tenido un franco aumento. Se presume que este fenómeno, se debe a variables ambientales como la dieta, el tabaco, uso de ciertos medicamentos, la apendicectomía, estrés y algunos estilos de vida. La etiopatogenia de EII no esta completamente dilucidada por lo que actualmente se considera, que es de etiología multifactorial. Entre los factores implicados están: factores ambientales, familiares, genéticos y del sistema inmune. En esta revisión se exponen las características epidemiológicas de las EII, con énfasis en la población pediátrica. Así como también los principales factores ambientales de riesgo, que se relacionan con las EII. Se presentan también algunos mecanismos y condiciones tanto heredadas como adquiridas, que han sido involucrados en la etiopatogenia de las EII.

Estudo da microbiota intestinal em doentes com retocolite ulcerativa antes e após retocolectomia com anastomose de bolsa ileal ao canal anal / Intestinal microbiota in patients with ulcerative colitis before and after proctolectomy and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis

Este estudo tem como objetivo, descrever a microbiota intestinal de pacientes com retocolite ulcerativa grave, em tratamento clínico, antes e após retocolectomia com anastomose de bolsa ileal ao canal anal. Comparou-se a flora bacteriana do íleo terminal e do reto no pré-operatório com a flora encontrada na bolsa ileal após dois e oito meses do fechamento da ileostomia e com a flora do íleo terminal e do reto de um grupo controle. Observou-se que a Veillonella sp foi a bactéria mais freqüentemente encontrada em todos os grupos. Não houve diferenças significativas entre a flora intestinal do grupo controle e dos pacientes com retocolite / The aim of this study is to describe the intestinal microbiota of patients with severe ulcerative colitis, under clinical treatment, before and after proctocolectomy and ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. Intestinal flora of distal ileum and rectum before surgery was compared with the flora found in ileal pouch after two and eight months after ileostomy closure and with the flora of distal ileum and rectum of controls. Veillonella sp was the most frequent microorganism found in all groups. There were no significant differences between the intestinal microbiota found in controls and in patients...

Coexistence of celiac disease and ulcerative colitis.

Coexistence of celiac disease and ulcerative colitis has been reported from Western countries. We report two patients, a 30-year old man and a 16-year old boy, who presented initially with features of celiac disease and later developed ulcerative colitis.

Pathophysiology of chronic inflammatory bowel disease: implications for treatment 2001 and beyond

The inflammatory bowel diseases ulcerative colitis and Crohnïs disease are probably syndromes rather than single entities. Neither the susceptibility genes no definite environmental factors have been found thus far. The immune concept of these disorders might not include all patients, alternative hypotheses for etiology and pathophysiology need to be studied. Consequently non immune based new approaches on alternative etiological/pathophysiological pathways may be necessary

Colitis eosinofílica por alergia a proteína de leche de vaca / Eosinophilic colitis due to cowïs milk allergy: report of 9 cases

Eosinophilic colitis is one of the clinical manifestations of allergy to cow's milk during the first year of life. We report a series of 9 infants who, under 9 months of age and while clinically well, presented rectal bleeding of variable magnitude, with or without diarrhea, shortly after a cow's milk-based formula was initiated (n=6); yet, 3 cases received only breast feeding. Bleeding disappeared in all patients after milk withdrawal from the diet. Challenges were planned after 12 months of treatment; three patients have not yet reached this moment, 3 had a negative challenge at 12, 18 and 28 months of age and are on a complete diet, and 3 are still on cow's milk free diet because ingestion of milk at 12, 18 and 25 months still induced rectal bleeding. This series of patients gathered in 3 years, follows the trend reported in many countries that there is a relative increase of patients diagnosed with allergy conditions early in life

Retocolite ulcerativa: aspectos clínicos, diagnóstico e tratamento: parte 1 / Ulcerative colitis: clinical features, diagnosis and treatment: first part

A retocolite é uma doença intestinal inflamatória, descrita há mais de um século, mas que continua como moléstia de etiologia desconhecida. Os estudos a respeito de aspectos infecciosos, inflamatórios, imunológicos, genéticos, psicológicos e os conhecimentos acumulados com pesquisas epidemiológicas ganharam com o progresso científico, trazendo inquestionáveis contribuiçöes para o melhor conhecimento do caráter evolutivo e crônico da doença, suas complicaçöes e tratamento, mas contribuíram pouco na elucidaçäo de sua etiologia. Na primeira parte da presente revisäo, procuraremos discutir sobre generalidades da doença, alguns tópicos sobre sua etiopatogenia e, a seguir, nas outras duas partes, faremos revisöes sobre quadro clínico, diagnóstico, tratamento clínico e cirúrgico

Tabagismo e doença inflamatória intestinal: estudo epidemiológico caso-controle / Smoking and inflammatory bowel disease: an epidemiological case-control study

Dentre os vários aspectos epidemiológicos envolvendo pacientes com doença inflamatória intestinal, o tabagismo é o que apresenta associaçao mais consistente com sua ocorrência e evoluçao. A retocolite ulcerativa inespecífica é considerada doença de nao ou ex-fumantes, sugerindo-se que o tabagismo protegeria contra o seu desenvolvimento. Por outro lado, há referências de maior ocorrência de doença de Crohn em fumantes. Sessenta e oito pacientes com doença inflamatória intestinal (36 com retocolite ulcerativa inespecífica e 32 com doença de Crohn) foram analisados quanto ao sexo, idade, escolaridade, profissao, religiao e hábito tabágico. Cento e trinta e seis indivíduos dispépticos compuseram o grupo controle (dois controles/caso), selecionados por características demográficas similares. Todos os entrevistados foram subagrupados, segundo tabagismo, em fumantes, nao-fumantes e ex-fumantes. O questionário ainda avaliou sua relaçao com inicio e atividade da doença inflamatória intestinal e eventual proteçao adquirida, por exposiçao na infância, como, fumantes passivos. Tabagismo protegeu significativamente contra ocorrência de retocolite ulcerativa inespecífica (OR:0,30, P< O,03, IC: 95 por cento), o mesmo ocorrendo em relaçao à doença de Crohn (OR: O,81, P> O,5). Nao houve maior risco para o surgimento da doença de Crohn entre os fumantes desta amostra. Entre os ex-fumantes, 72,7 por cento desenvolveram retocolite ulcerativa inespecífica após interrupçao do tabagismo, contra 44,4 por cento na doença de Crohn. Exposiçao ao tabagismo na infância, nao influenciou na ocorrência de retocolite ulcerativa inespecífica (OR; O,93, P> O,1) e doença de Crohn (OR: O,44, P> O,2). Nossos resultados se assemelham aos dados da literatura em relaçao à proteçao do tabagismo para o ocorrência de retocolite ulcerativa inespecíflca. Estudos experimentais e clínicos com tabaco ou seus produtos demonstrarao possível açao farmacológica e terapêutica nesta doença inflamatória.