Changes of colonic endocrine cells in trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced rat colitis / 대한수의학회지

In this study, immunohistochemistry was used to examine the changes in the density of colonic endocrine cells - argyrophil and argentaffin cells, chromogranin A (CGA), serotonin, somatostatin and glucagon-containing cells in trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced rat colitis. Ulcerative colitis was induced by the instillation of 10 mg of TNBS into the colonic lumen through the anus. To confirm the inducement of ulcerative colitis, the macroscopic and microscopic scores as well as the colonic myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities were monitored for 8 days after TNBS instillation in the colonic lumens. In addition, the number of argyrophil and argentaffin cells, CGA, serotonin, somatostatin and glucagon-immunoreactive cells were counted in the colonic mucosa, respectively. After TNBS instillation into the lumen of the colon from the anus in rats, increases in macroscopic and microscopic scores in the colon tissues were observed along with increases in the colonic MPO activities. Therefore, ulcerative colitis was relatively well induced by the TNBS instillations. Marked decreases in the number of colonic endocrine cells were detected in the TNBS-treated animal compared to the sham control. These results suggest that colonic endocrine cells were also disrupted by TNBS-induced ulcerative colitis.

Clinical Features and Brain MRI Findings in Liver Cirrhosis-related Acute Metabolic Encephalopathy

BACKGROUND: Chronic liver disease is a common cause of metabolic neurologic deterioration. We analyzed the clinical features and MRI findings of patients with liver cirrhosis who showed rapidly progressing cerebral dysfunction. METHODS: From August 2001 to July 2003, we had 9 liver cirrhosis patients hospitalized due to acutely developed and rapidly progressed neurologic symptoms that were caused not by other metabolic disturbances. Blood tests and liver ultrasonography were performed to assess the severity of liver cirrhosis. A brain MRI study was done in all patients. RESULTS: The causes of liver cirrhosis were viral hepatitis (n=6), chronic alcoholism (n=2), and autoimmune disease (n=1). Serum ammonia and electrolyte levels were within the normal range. Truncal or limbs ataxia and dysarthria were the most common symptoms. The corpus callosum and dentate nucleus of the cerebellum were commonly involved on diffusion- and T2-weighted MRI. In spite of intensive investigation and treatment, all patients had a rapidly deteriorating course with the appearance of uncontrolled abnormal movements and a decreased consciousness level. Their deaths occured within 1 month of the onset of symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: We present nine liver cirrhosis patients with characteristic clinical features and diffusion- and T2-weighted MRI findings for the first time. It is assumed that some neurologic circuit plays a role in pathogenesis.

Episodic Central Neurogenic Hyperventilation in an Awake Patient with Unilateral Pontine Infarction

Central neurogenic hyperventilation (CNH) is characterized by sustained tachypnea inspite of an elevated arterial PaO2, pH and a low arterial PaCO2. CNH is common in patients with brainstem injury accompanied by a decreased level of consciousness but this also has been described in some alert patients with an invasive brainstem tumor. We report one case with CNH resulting from a unilateral pontine infarction. His consciousness was clear, and CNH spontaneously disappeared without any medication.

Two Cases of Hypertensive Brainstem Encephalopathy

Hypertensive encephalopathy is a medical disorder, which occurs with sudden increase of blood pressure (BP). The MRI findings of hypertensive encephalopathy are diffuse hyperintensity on T2-weighted images, predominantly within the cortex and subcortical white matter of the parieto-occipital lobe. The brainstem is rarely involved. Diffusion-weighted images do not show any abnormalities. We report two patients with hypertensive encephalopathy whose MRI showed exclusive brainstem involvement. They improved rapidly after BP control.

Two Cases of Hypertensive Brainstem Encephalopathy

Hypertensive encephalopathy is a medical disorder, which occurs with sudden increase of blood pressure (BP). The MRI findings of hypertensive encephalopathy are diffuse hyperintensity on T2-weighted images, predominantly within the cortex and subcortical white matter of the parieto-occipital lobe. The brainstem is rarely involved. Diffusion-weighted images do not show any abnormalities. We report two patients with hypertensive encephalopathy whose MRI showed exclusive brainstem involvement. They improved rapidly after BP control.