Development of microparticles and microparticulated tablets containing piperine

Abstract Piper nigrum (black pepper) is used in Indian traditional medicine and its main alkaloid, Piperine (PIP), presents antioxidant, antitumor and neuroprotective pharmacological properties. This substance is insoluble in aqueous media and can irritate the gastrointestinal tract. Aiming to avoid these inconvenient characteristics and enable PIP oral administration, this study suggested the PIP microencapsulation through the emulsion-solvent evaporation method and the preparation of microparticulated tablets by direct compression. An UV-spectroscopy method was validated to quantify PIP. Microparticles and microparticulated tablets were successfully obtained and the microparticles exhibited excellent flow. The scanning electron microscopy images showed that PIP microparticles were intact after compression. The in vitro release showed a controlled release of PIP from microparticles and PIP microparticles from tablets in comparison to PIP and PIP tablets. The release profiles of PIP microparticles and the microparticulated tablets were similar. Therefore, tablets containing PIP microparticles are promising multiparticulated dosage forms because a tablet allows microparticles administration and the intact ones promote a controlled release, decreasing its irritating potential on the mucosa.

BALB/c and C57BL/6 mouse strains influence gastric function outcomes with administration of cisplatin and dexamethasone

Abstract Our aim was to evaluate the effects of cisplatin and dexamethasone alone and combined on gastric contractility and histomorphometry of BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice. BALB/c and C57BL/6 male mice (8-week-old) were randomly separated into: Control; Cisplatin (7.5 mg/Kg); Dexamethasone (2.0 mg/Kg); and Dexamethasone plus Cisplatin (2.0 mg/Kg of dexamethasone 1-hour prior to 7.5 mg/Kg of cisplatin). Drugs were administered intraperitoneally for three days. Body weight and food intake were evaluated on 2nd day. Alternating Current Biosusceptometry technique was employed to measure gastric contractions on 3rd day. Afterward, mice were killed for gastric histomorphometric analysis. Cisplatin decreased food intake and caused bradygastria in BALB/c mice; however, the amplitude of gastric contractions decreased in both BALB/c and C57BL/6. Dexamethasone and cisplatin combined restored the gastric frequency and food intake only in BALB/c, but drug combination reduced the gastric amplitude of contractions in both strains. Dexamethasone alone increased gastric mucosa thickness in C57BL/6 and decreased muscular thickness in BALB/c. In conclusion, the mouse strains presented differences in acute effects of cisplatin and dexamethasone alone and combined on gastric function. This reinforces the importance of choosing the appropriate mouse strain for studying the acute effects of drugs on the gastrointestinal tract.

Effects of reducing postprandial hyperglycemia and metabolism of acetate wheat starch on healthy mice

Abstract Recently, the acetate wheat starch (AWS) has been prepared by acetylation with an acetyl content of 2.42%, containing of rapidly digestible starch (RDS), slowly digestible starch (SDS) and resistant starch (RS) with 25.0%; 22.9% and 34.5%, respectively. In this study, this kind of starch was continuously evaluated with the postprandial blood glucose response and determined short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) metabolized from AWS in the gastrointestinal tract of healthy mice by HPLC. The result showed that the mice fed with AWS exhibited a very limited increase in blood glucose level and remained stable for 2 hours after meals efficiently comparing with the control group fed with natural wheat starch (NWS). Simultaneously, the content of SCFAs produced in the caecum of the mice fed with AWS was significantly higher than mice fed with NWS, especially with acetic and propionic acids by 28% and 26%, respectively. Thus, AWS has shown to limit the postprandial hyperglycemia in mice effectively through the resistance to amylase hydrolysis in the small intestine. When going into the caecum, it is fermented to form SCFAs providing a part of energy for the body's activities, avoiding rotten fermentation causing digestive disorders which are inherent restrictions of normal high cellulose and fiber food.

Divertículo de Meckel perforado por un cuerpo extraño / Meckel's Diverticulum Perforated by a Foreign Body

Introducción: El divertículo de Meckel es la anomalía congénita más frecuente del tracto gastrointestinal. Por lo general, cursa asintomático, y su diagnóstico es transoperatorio. Cuando presenta síntomas se deben a sus complicaciones, de las cuales la perforación constituye solo el 0,5 por ciento. Objetivo: Describir las características clínico-quirúrgicas de la presentación de un paciente con divertículo de Meckel perforado por cuerpo extraño. Caso clínico: Paciente adulto de 46 años de sexo masculino, piel blanca, que acude con dolor generalizado en el abdomen que se trasladó a Fosa Ilíaca Derecha, con febrícula. Se interviene quirúrgicamente y se halla divertículo de Meckel perforado por cuerpo extraño. Conclusiones: El pronóstico de esta enfermedad depende de la evolución, diagnóstico precoz y tratamiento aplicado en las distintas complicaciones, así como de la decisión de realizar tratamiento quirúrgico en los hallazgos casuales(AU)

Introduction: Meckel's diverticulum is the most frequent congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract. It is generally asymptomatic, with an intraoperative diagnosis. When it presents symptoms, they are due to its complications, of which perforation accounts for only 0.5 percent. Objective: To describe the clinical-surgical characteristics of a patient who presented with a Meckel's diverticulum perforated by a foreign body. Clinical case: 46-year-old adult patient of the male sex and white skin, who presents with generalized pain in the abdomen that moved to the right iliac fossa and low-grade fever. The patient underwent surgery and a Meckel's diverticulum was found, perforated by a foreign body. Conclusions: The prognosis of this disease depends on the evolution, early diagnosis and applied treatment according to the different complications, as well as on the decision to perform surgical treatment in accidental findings(AU)

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome: an unusual autopsy finding in pregnancy

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) is a rare autosomal dominant polyposis entity that often remains undiagnosed. The major problems associated with PJS are acute complications due to (i) polyp-related intestinal obstruction, (ii) intussusception, and (iii) the risk of cancer in the long-term. We report the case of a 32-year-old female who presented at the emergency room with signs of acute abdomen and died during the clinical workup. She had a one-month history of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea and was pregnant at about 30 weeks. There was no contributing past history except for undergoing small bowel resection in infancy. The postmortem examination revealed multiple arborizing polyps throughout the gastrointestinal tract, chiefly in the small bowel. Intestinal obstruction was found at the proximal jejunum with necrosis, perforation, and peritonitis. Histologically, the polyps were composed of tree branch-like bundles of smooth muscle covered by normal-appearing glandular epithelium, confirming the diagnosis of hamartomatous polyps. No malignant or premalignant lesions were detected in the gastrointestinal tract or other organs. This case was an opportunity to analyze the natural history and the pathological features of the Peutz-Jeghers syndrome in an adult and to investigate the presence of neoplastic lesions associated with this condition.

Feasibility of Cap-Assisted Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography in Patients with Altered Gastrointestinal Anatomy

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is technically challenging in patients with altered gastrointestinal (GI) anatomy. We evaluated the feasibility of cap-assisted ERCP in patients with altered GI anatomy. METHODS: The outcome of ERCP procedures (n=136) was analyzed in 78 patients with Billroth II (B-II) gastrectomy (n=72), Roux-en-Y total gastrectomy (n=4), and hepaticoduodenostomy (n=2). The intubation rate for reaching the papilla of Vater (POV), deep biliary cannulation rate, therapeutic interventions and procedure-related complications were analyzed. All of the procedures were conducted using a cap-fitted forward-viewing endoscope. RESULTS: The rate of access to the POV was 97.1% (132/136). In cases with successful access, selective biliary cannulation was achieved in 98.5% (130/132) of the patients. The successful biliary cannulation rates were 100% (125/125) for B-II gastrectomy, 50% (2/4) for Roux-en-Y gastrectomy and 100% (3/3) for hepaticoduodenostomy. After selective biliary cannulation, therapeutic interventions, including stone extraction (n=57), sphincterotomy (n=54), stent placement (n=37), nasobiliary drainage (n=20), endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation (n=7) and mechanical lithotripsy (n=15), were performed successfully. The procedure-related complication rate was 8.8% (12/136), including immediate bleeding (5.9%, 8/136), pancreatitis (2.2%, 3/136), and perforation (0.7%, 1/136). There were no procedure-related deaths. CONCLUSIONS: Cap-assisted ERCP is efficient and safe in patients with altered GI anatomy.

Double Meckel's diverticulum in a boy

Meckel's diverticulum is the remnant of vitello-intestinal duct and the most common congenital anomaly of gastrointestinal tract. Usually it is a single diverticulum. Finding a duplication of Meckel's diverticulum is an extremely rare incident. We report a ten year old boy who presented with abdominal pain in whom, at exploration double Meckel's diverticulum was found

Cáncer colon y recto en pediatría: presentación de casos / Colon and rectal cancer in pediatria age: case report

El cáncer de colon en pediatría es una patología neoplásica rara, infrecuentes en edad pediátrica, 1% de estos tumores son encontrados en personas menores de 30 años, siendo el más frecuente el adenocarcinoma. Su diagnóstico, difícil de verificar precozmente, puesto que, las neoplasias no se consideran diagnóstico diferencial del sangrado rectal, dolor abdominal crónico, u oclusión intestinal en niños. Se describen 2 casos de adenocarcinoma en adolescentes que consultaron el servicio de pediatría oncológica del Instituto Oncológico “Dr. Luis Razetti” en el año 2010. Caso 1: Adolescente femenina 16 años de edad natural y procedente del Estado Guárico, sin antecedentes patológicos conocidos, quien en noviembre de 2010, presenta abdomen agudo quirúrgico, es intervenida quirúrgicamente encontrándose tumor pétreo en colon, ovario, epiplón, el estudio anatomoclínico reportó adenocarcinoma de colon ascendente irresecable, recibió múltiple esquemas de tratamiento con evolución desfavorable, falleciendo la paciente. Caso 2: Adolescente femenina 15 años de edad, con antecedente de poliposis juvenil desde los 8 años de edad, quien presenta cambios en el patrón evacuatorio, en diciembre de 2010, presenta rectorragia se realiza colonoscopia que reporta, adenocarcinoma de recto bajo, recibió quimioterapia concurrente con radioterapia, no hubo respuesta al tratamiento. Ameritó tratamiento quirúrgico, descenso abdominoperineal y colocación de colostomía terminal definitiva, actualmente recibe quimioterapia adyuvante con evolución satisfactoria. Todo niño o adolescente que presente rectorragia y obstrucción intestinal debe realizarse una evaluación minuciosa, puesto que no es frecuente la localización de estas neoplasias.

The colon cancer is a neoplastic disease very rare present in children, 1% of these tumors are founding in people under 30 years old, the most frequent being is the adenocarcinoma. Its diagnosis is difficult to verify early, since the tumors are not considered differential diagnosis of rectal bleeding, chronic abdominal pain or the intestinal obstruction in children. We describe 2 cases of adenocarcinoma in adolescents who consulted at pediatric oncology service of “Dr. Luis Razetti” Cancer Institute in the year 2010. Case 1: Female16 years old from Guarico state, we no known medical history, who in November 2010, she presented acute abdomen, she underwent surgery is stony tumor was found in the colon, the ovary, and the omentum, anatomic clinical study reported no resettable adenocarcinoma of the ascending colon, multiple drugs schemes received the patient with an unfavorable treatment, the patient died. Case 2: Female 15 years old with a history of juvenile polyposis since she was 8 years old, which has changes in bowel movement pattern, in December 2010, presented rectal bleeding, is reported colonoscopy: Low rectal adenocarcinoma. Received chemotherapy concurrent with radiotherapy, there was no response to treatment. Required surgery, and laying down abdominal perineal definitive terminal colostomy, currently she receiving adjuvant chemotherapy with satisfactory outcome. Any child or adolescent consulting and presenting with rectal bleeding and intestinal obstruction should be a thorough assessment, since it is not frequent location of these neoplasms.

Malformação arteriovenosa gástrica: tratamento por embolização / Gastric arteriovenous malformation: treatment by embolization

Sangramento digestivo é causa comum de internação nos serviços de emergência. Hemorragias originadas de malformações arteriovenosas no estômago foram raramente descritas na literatura. O tratamento por embolização oferece boa chance de controle do sangramento. Descrevemos caso de paciente com hematêmese e melena recorrentes, cuja angiografia identificou malformação arteriovenosa na grande curvatura do estômago. Foi realizado tratamento da hemorragia por meio de embolização arterial.

Gastrointestinal bleeding is a common cause of admission to emergency services. Hemorrhages originated from arteriovenous malformations in the stomach have been rarely described in the literature. Embolization offers a good chance for the control of bleeding. We describe the case of a patient with recurrent hematemesis and melena whose angiography identified arteriovenous malformations in the greater curvature of the stomach. The bleeding was treated by arterial embolization.

Selección de pacientes candidatos a nutrición enteral domiciliaria / Selection of patients candidates home enteral nutrition

La alimentación es una acción fundamental por medio de la cual se adquieren los nutrientes necesarios para la nutrición celular. Todo paciente que cuente con un tracto gastrointestinal funcional puede recibir nutrición enteral domiciliaria (NED). La implementación de la NED, debe contemplar aspectos sociales. La NED tiene como objetivo principal mejorar la calidad de vida del paciente. El paciente y su familia deben recibir y entender correctamente la información necesaria sobre su enfermedad de base y la necesidad de NED.

Food is a basic action through which they acquire the nutrients necessary for cellular nutrition. Any patient that has a functional gastrointestinal tract may receive home enteral nutrition (HEN). The implementation of the HEN should include social aspects. The HEN's main objective is to improve the quality of life of patients. The patient and family should receive and understand properly the necessary information on the underlying disease and the need for HEN.

Tricobezoar gástrico perforante / Perforated gastrointestinal trichobezoar

Los bezoares del tracto digestivo constituyen una patología infrecuente, son colecciones de material ingerido que se acumula en estómago e intestino. El tricobezoar hace referencia a un cúmulo de pelo, su sospecha clínica se establece en pacientes jóvenes predominantemente mujeres con historia de masa epigástrica, pérdida de peso y síntomas obstructivos. El diagnóstico se puede realizar con imágenes y endoscopia y su tratamiento consiste en su remoción. Se presenta un caso de tricobezoar perforado en paciente femenina joven, el cual es manejado en el servicio de Cirugía General del Hospital Universitario de Santander.

The gastrointestinal tract bezoars are considered an infrequent pathology; they are collections of ingested material that accumulates in the stomach and intestines. Trichobezoar refers to the cumuli of hair; its clinic suspicion is established in young patients, especially women with history of an epigastric mass, weight loss and obstructive symptoms. Diagnosis can be made by imaging and endoscopy and the treatment consists in its removal. It is presented a case of a young female patient with a perforated trichobezoar which was treated at our service of General Surgery of the Hospital Universitario de Santander.

Comportamento inassertivo na dispepsia funcional / Inasertive behavior in functional dyspepsia / Comportamiento no asertivo en la dispepsia funcional

Dispepsia funcional (DF) é um distúrbio gastrintestinal de natureza multifatorial, caracterizado por sintomas como dor ou desconforto na região superior do abdome. Não possui causa orgânica, e fatores psicológicos parecem estar presentes no desencadeamento e na manutenção dos sintomas. O comportamento assertivo caracteriza-se pela capacidade do indivíduo em expressar pensamentos e sentimentos em momentos adequados. Este trabalho relacionou DF e comportamento inassertivo, e comparou o nível de assertividade em 16 pacientes com DF e 16 participantes sem transtornos gastrintestinais, todos provenientes de um hospital particular universitário. Os participantes foram submetidos à aplicação de um instrumento baseado na Rathus Assertiveness Scale (RAS) (RATHUS, 1973) para medir o nível de assertividade. Os dados mostraram que os pacientes com DF possuíram mais comportamentos inassertivos se comparados aos participantes sem transtornos gastrintestinais.

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a gastrointestinal disorder developed as a result of various underlying conditions, characterized by pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen. There is no organic cause and psychological factors may be involved in the symptoms' beginning. The assertive behavior is characterized by a person's capacity to express his/her feelings and thoughts in an appropriate time. This study investigated the relation between FD and inassertive behavior; and compared the assertiveness in 16 FD patients and 16 people with no gastrointestinal disorders, all from a private university hospital. The assertiveness was measured by an instrument based in Rathus Assertiveness Scale (RAS) (RATHUS, 1973). The collected data shows that FD patients had more inassertive behaviors than people with no gastrointestinal disorders.

Dispepsia funcional (DF) es un problema gastrointestinal de naturaleza multifactorial, caracterizado por sintomas como dolor o incomodidad en la región superior del abdomen. No posee causa organica y parece haber factores psicologicos en el esencadenamiento y mantencion de los sintomas. El comportamiento no asertivo se caracteriza por La capacidad del individuo de expresar pensamientos y sentimientos en momentos adecuados. Este trabajo relacionó la DF y el comportamiento no asertivo y comparó el nivel de asertividad en 16 pacientes con DF y en 16 pacientes sin trastornos gastrointestinales, todos estos provenientes de un hospital universitario privado. El nível de asertividad foi medido con um instrumento motivado Rathus Assertiveness Scale (RAS) (RATHUS, 1973). Los resultados demostraron que los pacientes con DF poseen mas comportamientos no asertivos si son comparados con los participantes sin trastornos gastrointestinales.

Brida intestinal congénita / Congenital bridle present in intestines

La obstrucción congénita del tubo digestivo es una de las patologías quirúrgicas neonatales más frecuentes. Se presenta el caso de un recién nacido que, a las 30 h de vida, aún sin evacuar meconio, comenzó con vómitos biliosos, distensión abdominal, irritabilidad y disminución de los ruidos hidroaéreos. Tras valoración conjunta con otras especialidades y los estudios correspondientes, se decidió la intervención quirúrgica de urgencia. Se encontró brida congénita a nivel del íleon terminal que acodaba el intestino y permitía el paso incompleto del contenido fecal. La evolución fue satisfactoria, sin complicaciones, y se dio el alta a los 17 días. Se ofrece una revisión actualizada sobre el tema y se incluyen fotografías del caso.

Congenital obstruction of digestive tract is one of the more frequent neonatal surgical pathologies. Authors present the case of a newborn that at 30 hrs of life, even without meconium evacuation, had bilious vomiting, abdominal distention, irritability, and decrease of hydro-aerial bruits. After a combined assessment with other specialties and the corresponding studies, we decided to perform an emergence surgical intervention. A congenital bridle was found at level of terminal ileum with an elbowed intestine allowing the incomplete passage of fecal content. The course was satisfactory without complications and discharged at 17 days. Authors offer an updating review on matter including photographies of the case.

Gastrointestinal abnormalities in vitamin B[12] deficient patients with megaloblastic anemia

In a retrospective cohort study, hospital records of 220 patients [119 males and 101 females, age 1 year-80 years] with megaloblastic anemia were examined to find out any relationship of gastrointestinal abnormalities with vitamin B[12] and folate deficiencies in these patients. Forty three percent of the patients were folate-deficient [serum folate levels

Malformações do diafragma e tubo digestivo: aspectos diagnósticos / Congenital anomalies of the diaphragm and digestive system: diagnostic aspects

As hérnias diafragmáticas estão associadas à elevada incidência de outras malformações, principalmente do sistema nervoso central e cardiovascular. As malformações do tubo digestivo, com exceção da atresia anal, estão frequentemente associadas ao polidrâmnio. O prognóstico está relacionado com a gravidade das malformações associadas, sendo elevada a taxa global de mortalidade quando estão presentes. O diagnóstico e a avaliação das malformações do diafragma e do tubo digestivo durante o período intra-uterino têm fundamental importância para a diminuição da morbimortalidade associada a esses casos, com consequente melhora da sobrevida. Objetiva-se com o presente estudo realizar uma atualização compreensiva, tecendo considerações gerais sobre as principais anomalias do diafragma e do tubo difestivo, correlacionando-as com aspectos relevantes de interesse clínico e prognóstico perinatal.

Meckel's Diverticulum: A Case Report / Divertículo de Meckel: Reporte de Caso

Meckel's diverticulum is the most prevalent congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract. It might remain completely asymptomatic or may mimic some disorders like Crohn's disease, Appendicitis and peptic ulcer diseases. A Meckel's diverticulum was found during routine dissection. A brief review of this anomaly, its embryological explanation, and probable clinical implications with its management is discussed in this report.

El diverticulo de Meckel es la anomalía congénita más prevalente del tracto gastrointestinal. Puede ser un remanente totalmente asintomático o puede provocar algunos desórdenes como la enfermedades de Crohn, apendicitis y úlcera péptica. Un diverticulo de Meckel fue encontrado durante una disección de rutina. Una breve revisión de esta anomalía, su explicación embriológica y probables implicaciones clínicas fueron discutidas en este trabajo.