The Effect of Urocortin 1 on Motility in Isolated, Vascularly Perfused Rat Colon / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Urocortin 1, a corticotropin-releasing factor related peptide, increases colonic motility under stressful conditions. We investigated the effect of urocortin 1 on colonic motility using an experimental model with isolated rat colon in which the blood flow and intestinal nerves were preserved. Furthermore, we assessed whether this effect was mediated by adrenergic or cholinergic nerves. METHODS: Colonic motility was measured in the proximal and distal parts of resected rat colon. The colon resected from the peritoneum was stabilized, and then urocortin 1 (13.8, 138, 277, and 1,388 pM) was administered via a blood vessel. Motility index was measured in the last 5 min of the 15 min administration of urocortin 1 and expressed as percentage change from baseline. Subsequently, the change in motility was measured by perfusing urocortin 1 in colons pretreated with phentolamine, propranolol, hexamethonium, atropine, or tetrodotoxin. RESULTS: At concentrations of 13.8, 138, 277, and 1,388 pM, urocortin 1 increased the motility of proximal colon (20.4+/-7.2%, 48.4+/-20.9%, 67.0+/-25.8%, and 64.2+/-20.9%, respectively) and the motility of distal colon (3.3+/-3.3%, 7.8+/-7.8%, 71.1+/-28.6%, and 87.4+/-32.5%, respectively). The motility induced by urocortin 1 was significantly decreased by atropine to 2.4+/-2.4% in proximal colon and 3.4+/-3.4% in distal colon (p<0.05). However, tetrodotoxin, propranolol, phentolamine, and hexamethonium did not inhibit motility. CONCLUSIONS: Urocortin 1 increased colonic motility and it is considered that this effect was directly mediated by local muscarinic cholinergic receptors.

Four Cases of Primary Epiploic Appendagitis

Primary epiploic appendagitis (PEA) occurs due to inflammation of an epiploic appendage, which is a peritoneal pouch that arises from the serosal surface of the colon. PEA is often associated with infarction caused by torsion or spontaneous venous thrombosis. PEA is a self-limited disease with a course of approximately 10 days, and it requires only symptomatic management for pain. But it clinically manifests with localized abdominal pain that is often mistaken for appendicitis, diverticulitis, or cholangitis. Therefore, PEA had been diagnosed at surgery for the past few decades. Making the preoperative diagnosis of PEA through ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) has recently become possible. We report here on four cases of PEA that were diagnosed and treated by symptomatic management.

Histopathologic Analysis of Adenoma and Adenoma-related Lesions of the Gallbladder / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In order to determine the malignant potential of gallbladder adenoma for progression to carcinoma, we evaluated the histopathologic features of adenoma and adenoma-related lesions on cholecystectomized specimens. METHODS: Among 1,847 cholecystectomized specimens, 63 specimens from 26 benign adenomas, 9 carcinomas in situ (CIS), and 28 invasive carcinomas were selected. A pathologist reviewed all specimens and selected benign adenomas, CIS in the adenoma, and adenoma residue in invasive carcinomas. Adenomas and adenoma-related lesions were classified according to morphology (tubular, tubulopapillary, and papillary) and the consisting epithelium (biliary, pyloric metaplasia, and intestinal metaplasia). The age and the size of the benign adenomas and carcinomas in the adenoma were also compared. RESULTS: Adenoma and adenoma-related lesions were found in 34 out (1.8%) of all resected gallbladder. Among 9 CIS and 28 invasive carcinomas, adenoma-related lesions were detected in 7 and 1 case, respectively. All eight carcinomas arising in the adenoma were well-differentiated solitary tumors. The diameters of the carcinomas in the adenoma were, on average, larger than that of the benign adenomas (1.8 cm vs. 0.9 cm, p=0.01). The patients with carcinomas in the adenoma were, on average, older than those with benign adenomas, although the difference was insignificant (57 years vs. 47 years, p=0.09). The morphology and consisting epithelium did not differ between the benign adenomas and carcinomas in the adenoma. The malignant transformation occurred in 23.5% of adenomas. CONCLUSIONS: Gallbladder adenoma is a rare disease, although malignant transformation occurs frequently. Adenoma is a precancerous lesion and the adenoma-carcinoma sequence is one of the gallbladder cancer carcinogenesis.

The mechanism of action of neuropeptide Y in rat colonic motility / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Neuropepetide Y (NPY) is involved in the regulation of several gut functions, but the neuronal action of NPY has not been fully investigated. This study was designed to investigate the effect and mechanism of action of NPY on motility in the proximal and distal rat colon. METHODS: Rat colon with an intact superior mesenteric artery was isolated. After a basal period, NPY was administered at concentrations of 14 pM, 70 pM, 140 pM, and 280 pM. Intraluminal pressures were monitored in the proximal and distal colon. The contractile response was expressed as a percent change of motility indices over the basal level. After a pre-infusion of atropine (AT), tetrodotoxin (TTX), propranolol, hexamethonium, and phentolamine, NPY was infused at a concentration of 140 pM, and pressures were monitored. RESULTS: NPY increased the colonic motility at concentrations of 14, 70, 140, and 280 pM in the proximal colon (28.5+/-28.2%, 48.4+/-34.3%, 122.9+/-97.3%, 68.2+/-28.1%, respectively) and in the distal colon (44.9+/-25.9%, 103.8+/-72.0%, 237.1+/-131.0%, 93.0+/-63.9%, respectively) in a dose-dependent manner. The enhancing effect of NPY (140 pM) on colonic motility was significantly suppressed by pretreatment with atropine, propranolol, and TTX. However, the effect of NPY was not inhibited by hexamethonium or phentolamine. CONCLUSION: NPY increases colonic motility. The enhancing effect of NPY on colonic motility may require cholinergic input via muscarinic receptors or adrenergic input via beta-receptors.

Two Cases of a Solitary Peutz-Jeghers Polyp in the Rectum / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant disorder in which multiple hamartomatous polyps are present in the gastrointestinal tract in association with distinctive mucocutaneous pigmentation. A single hamartomatous polyp arising in a patient without pigmentation or familial history of Peutz-Jeghers syndrome is termed a solitary Peutz-Jeghers polyp; such a case is rare and would result in a case report being presented even in other countries. We experienced two cases of a solitary Peutz-Jeghers polyp that developed in the rectum, and report the cases with a review of the literature.

Concurrent FP (5-fluorouracil, cisplatin) Chemoradiotherapy for Patients with Esophageal Cancer / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: The outcomes of a surgical approach for patients with an esophageal carcinoma remain unsatisfactory despite its high complication rates. We conducted a phase II trial, using combined FP (5-fluorouracil and cisplatin) chemotherapy and concurrent radiotherapy, as a definitive therapy for patients with esophageal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with histologically proven esophageal cancer were enrolled onto this study. The treatment consisted of four courses of chemotherapy and six and a half weeks of radiotherapy. The patients received chemotherapy in weeks 1, 5, 12 and 16 (5-fluorouracil 1, 000 mg/m2 on days 1 to 4 and cisplatin 75 mg/m2 on day 1). Radiotherapy was administered at a dose of 59.4 Gy, in five 1.8 Gy fractions a week. RESULTS: A total of 22 eligible patients entered the study. Of the 19 evaluable patients, a complete response occurred in 7 (37%), and a partial response in 8 (42%). After a median follow-up of 35 months, the overall survival rate was 32% at three years and the median survival was 11 months. Fourteen (64%) received planned dose of radio-therapy and 13 (59%) received more than three courses of chemotherapy. However, there was no difference in three-year survival rates between the patients that received less than three courses of chemotherapy and those that received three or more courses (31% vs. 32%). The major treatment related toxicity was mucositis, which developed in every patient, with grades III or IV in thirteen (59%) patients. During the treatment, the patients lost, on average, 3.8% of their body weight. The mean hospital stay was 23 days, with a total duration of treatment of 74 days. CONCLUSIONS: Concurrent FP chemoradiotherapy was effective as a definitive therapy for patients with esophageal cancer. The major toxicity was mucositis. Although the treatment was relatively feasible, a randomized trial of reduced courses of chemotherapy is warranted.

Two Cases of Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis and One Case of Hypereosinophilic Syndrome Presenting with Various Gastrointestinal Symptoms / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is a rare disorder of unknown origin that is pathologically characterized by marked infiltration of eosinophils in the wall of the gastrointestinal tracts. Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is often classified according to the layer of the bowel wall involved. We experienced two cases of eosinophilic gastroenteritis. One case having whole small bowel wall involvement resulting in small bowel obstruction and eosinophilic ascites underwent bowel resection followed by oral steroid treatment. The other case having mucosal layer involvement with chronic diarrhea and hypoalbuminemia was treated with oral corticosteroid and responded dramatically. In addition, we report one case of hypereosinophilic syndrome involving the gastrointestinal tracts. The patient presented with abdominal pain, ascites, and urticaria. and also showed good response to oral steroid.

Effects of Genetic Polymorphisms of Ethanol-Metabolizing Enzymes on Alcohol Drinking Behaviors / 대한간학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Genetic variations of ethanol-metabolizing enzymes can affect alcohol drinking behavior. The aims of this study were to investigate and compare the distributions of these genetic polymorphisms between a healthy control group and a heavy drinker group which included an alcoholic liver cirrhosis group. METHODS: Genotypes of ADH2, ALDH2, CYP2E1, and catalase were identified by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral leukocytes in 42 healthy controls, 12 heavy drinkers, and 30 alcoholic liver cirrhosis patients. RESULTS: 1) The genotype frequencies of ALDH2 (1*1), ADH2 (1*1), CYP2E1 (c1c1), and catalase1 (TT) were 69%, 55%, 38%, and 12%, respectively in healthy Korean males. 2) There was a significant difference in the distribution of the genetic polymorphism of ALDH2 between the control group and heavy drinker group (12 heavy drinkers and 30 alcoholic liver cirrhosis patients). The genotype frequency of ALDH2 mutant, ALDH2 (1*2) and ALDH2 (2*2) in the heavy drinker group (12%) was significantly lower than that in the control group (30%). 3) We didn't find anyone with ALDH2 homozygote mutant (DD) in the heavy drinker group. 4) There was no significant difference in the distribution of genetic polymorphisms in ADH2, CYP2E1 and catalase1 between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the absence of ALDH2 mutant genotype is strongly related to heavy drinking behavior. We can not prove, however, any evidence that the polymorphisms of other ethanol-metabolizing enzymes are associated with the determination of alcohol-drinking behavior.

Change of Autonomic and Peripheral Nerve Function after the First Twelve Months of Dialysis in End-stage Renal Disease / 대한신장학회잡지

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of dialysis on the autonomic and peripheral nerve function has been a subject of considerable debate. In addition, no longitudinal study on the course of uremic neuropathy in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) during dialysis has been reported. We carried out a prospective study to investigate the effect of dialysis on the autonomic and peripheral nerve function during the first 12 months of dialysis. METHODS: Twenty-five patients with ESRD (14 on HD and 11 on CAPD; 11 diabetic and 14 non- diabetic) were enrolled. Autonomic nerve function test and median nerve conduction velocity study were done at the initiation of dialysis and then repeated after 12 months of dialysis. RESULTS: At the initiation of dialysis, sympathetic nerve function and parasympathetic nerve function were abnormal in all HD and CAPD patients. After 12 months of dialysis, no significant changes occurred in autonomic function test. There was no significant difference in autonomic function test between HD and CAPD patients. There was no significant difference in median nerve conduction velocity between HD and CAPD patients after 12 months of dialysis. At the initiation of dialysis, 6 of 11 diabetic and 4 of 14 non-diabetic patients had abnormal median nerve conduction velocity. After 12 months of dialysis, normalization of median nerve conduction velocity occurred only in 3 non-diabetic patients. There was a singinficant difference in median nerve conduction velocity between diabetic and non-diabetic patients after 12 months of dialysis. CONCLUSION: We conclude that dialysis does not significantly alter the autonomic nerve function during the first 12 months of dialysis, but may improve the peripheral nerve function in non-diabetic uremic patients.