The Significance of Bile in the Biliopancreatic Limb on Metabolic Improvement After Duodenal-Jejunal Bypass.

INTRODUCTION: Duodenal-jejunal bypass (DJB) is an experimental procedure in metabolic surgery that does not have a restrictive component. Changes in bile acid (BA) dynamics and intestinal microbiota are possibly related to metabolic improvement after DJB. Our previous studies involving obese diabetic rats showed the crucial role of the biliopancreatic limb (BPL) in metabolic improvement after DJB caused by BA reabsorption. We established a new DJB procedure to prevent bile from flowing into the BPL and aimed to elucidate the importance of bile in the BPL after DJB. METHODS: Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty rats with diabetes were divided into three groups: two DJB groups and a sham group (n = 11). Duodenal-jejunal anastomosis was performed proximal to the papilla of Vater in the DJB group (n = 11). However, the DJB-D group (n = 11) underwent a new procedure with duodenal-jejunal anastomosis distal to the papilla of Vater for preventing bile flow into the BPL. RESULTS: Glucose metabolism improved and weight gain was suppressed in the DJB group, but not in the DJB-D and sham groups. Serum BA level and conjugated BA concentration were elevated in the DJB group. The gut microbiota was altered only in the DJB group; the abundance of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes decreased and that of Actinobacteria increased. However, the DJB-D group exhibited no apparent change in the gut microbiota, similar to the sham group. CONCLUSION: BAs are essential in the BPL for metabolic improvement after DJB; they can improve the gut microbiota in these processes.

[Successful R0 Resection of Two Metachronous Krukenberg Tumors from Gastric Cancer-A Case Report].

A 50s woman with a stomachache was referred to our hospital with diagnosed gastric cancer. Upper endoscopy showed a type 3 tumor in the lower gastric body, and CT demonstrated a pelvic tumor 10 cm in size. Laparoscopic surgery was performed; since the pelvic tumor was found to derive from the left ovary, left oophorectomy and total gastrectomy were performed. Pathological examination revealed that the ovarian tumor was a gastric cancer metastasis. Adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 monotherapy was introduced. Four months after the operation, metastasis was suspected due to right ovary tumor edema. Due to the possibility of obtaining R0 resection and adverse events of chemotherapy, we chose right oophorectomy. Pathological examination demonstrated signet-ring cell cancer. Fourteen months after the first operation, the patient is alive with no recurrence or metastasis.

[A Case of Multiple Gastric GIST with Lymph Nodes Metastases in a Young Woman].

A 21-year-old woman with bloody stool was referred to our hospital with multiple submucosal tumors at the posterior and anterior wall of the gastric angle under upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Both of the tumors were diagnosed with gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor(GIST)by EUS-FNA, then laparoscopic distal gastrectomy with D1 lymph node dissection was performed. The size of those tumors were 47 mm and 15 mm respectively, and pathological examination revealed multiple lymph nodes metastases. Neither KIT nor PDGFRA mutation was found. She had received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with imatinib mesylate for 3 years. No sign of recurrence has been confirmed thereafter. GISTs in young adults are rare and their oncological features are considered to be different from common type of GIST.

Surgical resection of extremely rare primary giant splenic angiomyolipoma: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Angiomyolipoma is a benign mesenchymal tumor that develops commonly in the kidney and rarely in other organs. The involvement of the spleen in angiomyolipoma is extremely rare, and only one such case has been reported in the English literature. CASE PRESENTATION: A 27-year-old man presented with adenoid hyperplasia and bilateral palatal tonsillar hyperplasia. During the treatment for adenoid hyperplasia, a 15-cm tumor was detected in the spleen using abdominal ultrasonography and enhanced computed tomography. Partial resection of the spleen was successfully performed. A giant tumor of approximately 13 cm with a smooth surface was observed in the upper left quadrant of the abdomen. The tumor was confirmed to be continuous with the upper spleen, and there was no invasion of the other organs. The postoperative course was good, and the patient was discharged on the 7th postoperative day. The excised specimen was a smooth, extremely soft tumor measuring 123 × 120 × 82 mm. The cleaved surface of the tumor was reddish brown, and a distressing yellow color was observed. Pathological examination revealed a proliferation of mature adipocytes and an increase in the number of blood vessels of various sizes. Furthermore, spindle-shaped cell proliferation foci were visible between the adipocytes and the surrounding blood vessels. Profuse leakage of erythrocytes from the blood vessels, hemosiderin deposition, and small round cell infiltration were also noted. Immunostaining disclosed that the spindle-shaped cells were weakly positive for smooth muscle antibody and were identified as smooth muscle cells. The adipocytes and spindle cells were negative for HMB 45, Melan A, MDM, and CDK4. However, some parts of the cells were positive for estrogen and progesterone receptors. Besides, vascular endothelial cells were positive for CD31 and CD34 and negative for CD8. Based on these findings, the patient was diagnosed to have primary angiomyolipoma of the spleen. CONCLUSIONS: We have reported the surgical treatment for an extremely rare case of giant splenic angiomyolipoma in a young man. Globally, this is the second report on this condition. We believe that partial splenic resection is a feasible option for the management of giant tumors.

Penetration and Perforation of Terminal Ileum Diverticulitis.

BACKGROUND: Terminal ileum diverticulitis is a rare clinical disease. It can frequently mimic other processes, such as acute appendicitis. Diagnosis and therapeutic decision making (surgical or conservative treatment) can be complex. We report four interesting cases of terminal ileum diverticulitis. Case Presentation. Case 1: a 55-year-old male presented to us with a 3-day history of severe right lower quadrant pain. Computed tomography (CT) showed penetration of terminal ileum diverticulitis. Following a 7-day conservative treatment, he underwent ileocecal resection. Pathology results revealed a false diverticulum and two in five points of perforated terminal ileum diverticulum. Case 2: a 77-year-old male presented to us with severe right lower quadrant pain and unconsciousness. CT showed penetration of terminal ileum diverticulitis and air in the mesentery. Ileocecal resection was performed 2 days postadmission. Pathology results revealed a false diverticulum and penetrated terminal ileum diverticulum. Case 3: a 61-year-old male presented to us with a right lower quadrant pain for 10 days and fever for 6 days. CT showed penetration of terminal ileum diverticulitis and abscess of the psoas muscle. Puncture and drainage of abscess were performed. Laparoscopic ileocecal resection was performed 30 days postadmission. Pathology results revealed a false diverticulum and penetrated terminal ileum diverticulum. Case 4: a 39-year-old female presented to us with right lower quadrant pain for 9 days, suspicious of appendicitis. CT showed abscess of pericecal area. Puncture and drainage were performed. A drainage tube was located into the cecum through the terminal ileum. Conservative therapy was effective, and she was discharged 23 days postadmission. CONCLUSIONS: All four cases had right lower quadrant pain. Three cases were diagnosed by CT, whereas one was diagnosed by abscess drainage. Two cases required surgical treatment within 3 days, one within about 1 month, and one case did not require surgery. The decision of whether to manage a patient surgically or conservatively is difficult. It is critical not to delay the decision of performing a surgical treatment until each patient reaches a stable general condition.

First Account of Primary Leiomyosarcoma of the Lesser Omentum since Establishment of c-Kit Mutations in Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors.

BACKGROUND: Primary omental leiomyosarcoma is an extremely rare type of tumor. Leiomyosarcomas originating from the lesser omentum have not been reported since immunohistochemical staining for c-kit has been used for the diagnosis of mesenchymal abdominal tumors. They are yet to be reported since gastrointestinal stromal tumors were categorized. Here we reported a case of successful resection of a lesser omental leiomyosarcoma. CASE PRESENTATION: A 71-year-old man underwent ultrasonography at the outpatient clinic through which an upper abdominal tumor was identified. Following computed tomography and endoscopy, a 4.5 cm submucosal tumor in the lesser curvature of the stomach was highly suspected. A laparoscopic partial resection of the stomach was performed. Histopathological examination revealed the tumor to be a leiomyosarcoma arising from the lesser omentum that did not invade the stomach. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the tumor was negative for CD34, c-kit, and S-100 and positive for desmin and α-smooth muscle actin. No recurrence had been observed 1 year after surgery without adjuvant chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Primary lesser omental leiomyosarcoma, which is difficult to diagnose before surgery given the location of the primary tumor in the lesser omentum, has rarely been reported. Considering the high possibility of malignancy, close observation is essential.

The quality of life after laparoscopic ventral and incisional hernia repair with closure and non-closure of fascial defect.

PURPOSE: In this retrospective, non-randomized study, we compared the quality of life (QOL) of patients who underwent laparoscopic ventral and incisional hernia repair (LVIHR) with fascial defect closure or non-defect closure and examined the factors associated with the QOL after LVIHR. METHODS: Between February 2013 and 2016, we conducted a single-center, follow-up study of 33 consecutive midline hernia patients who underwent LVIHR. Overall, 14 cases underwent intraperitoneal onlay mesh repair (IPOM), and 19 underwent IPOM with fascial defect closure (IPOM-plus). Patients were interviewed using the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) to assess their pre- and postoperative QOL (at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery). The QOL, as assessed by the SF-36, was compared before and at 1 year after surgery, and the risk factors associated with the QOL were examined. RESULTS: Overall, scores for 5 of the 8 domains and 1 of the 3 components of SF-36 had improved by 1 year after surgery compared with before surgery. The scores for the SF-36 domains and components at 1 year post-surgery were comparable in patients undergoing IPOM or IPOM-plus. Obesity, operative time, hernia size, and mesh size were factors correlated with the QOL. CONCLUSIONS: LVIHR improved the QOL, regardless of defect closure.

Late fracture of Groshong ports: A report of the three cases.

BACKGROUND: Totally implantable venous access devices are valuable tools for total parenteral nutrition, chemotherapy, and long-term intravenous therapy. However, late catheter fracture is a well-known complication of totally implantable venous access device, particularly in Groshong silicone catheter. Recently, a specific type of totally implantable venous access device made with Groshong silicone has been introduced to facilitate power injection of contrast medium for enhanced computed tomography. CASES DESCRIPTION: We reported three cases of catheter fracture in power-injectable Groshong silicone totally implantable venous access device. From May 2012 to August 2014, 66 patients underwent power-injectable Groshong silicone totally implantable venous access device implantation at our institution, with a median follow-up of 20.1 (range 0.2-58.1) months. The catheters in all patients were inserted into the internal jugular vein under ultrasound guidance and were connected to the port implanted in the upper chest through the subcutaneous tunnel. Chemotherapy was administered using these routes. Fractures of all three cases specifically showed a torn catheter section: smooth surface on one side, and a rough edge on the other side of the catheter, suggesting that long-term repeated stretch force may be related with the mechanism of fracture. CONCLUSION: Totally implantable venous access devices with Groshong silicone catheters, if inserted via the internal jugular vein, have a potential risk for late catheter fracture.

A novel technique of axillary vein puncture involving peripherally inserted central venous catheters for a small basilic vein.

PURPOSE: Peripherally inserted central venous catheters are some of the most useful devices for vascular access used globally. Peripherally inserted central venous catheters have a low rate of fatal mechanical complications when compared to non-tunnel central venous catheters. However, as peripherally inserted central venous catheter access requires a smaller vein, there is a high risk of thrombosis. The axillary vein (confluence of the basilic and brachial veins) can serve as an access for cannulation. Moreover, as this vein is larger than the basilic or brachial vein, it might be a superior option for preventing thrombosis. The risk of catheter-related bloodstream infection should be considered when the puncture site is at the axillary fossa. The aim of this study was to present our new protocol involving peripherally inserted central venous catheters (non-tunneled/tunneled) and a tunneling technique and assess its feasibility and safety for improving cannulation and preventing thrombosis and infection. METHODS: The study included 20 patients. The axillary vein in the upper arm was used for peripherally inserted central venous catheters in patients with a small-diameter basilic vein (<3 mm). When the puncture site was in the axillary fossa, a subcutaneous tunnel of about 3 cm was constructed easily using a peripheral venous catheter. RESULTS: The observed catheter duration was 645 days (median ± standard deviation, 26 ± 22.22 days). Catheterization was successful in all cases, however, two accidental dislodgements were identified. No fatal or serious complications were observed after catheterization. CONCLUSION: Our new protocol for axillary peripherally inserted central venous catheters/tunneled axillary peripherally inserted central venous catheters use for a small-diameter basilic vein is safe and feasible.

Strategy of laparoscopic surgery for colon cancer of the splenic flexure: a novel approach.

BACKGROUND: The splenic flexure (SF) anatomy is complex due to multiple vessels, surrounding organs, layers, and irregular adhesions [1-3]. METHODS: Our laparoscopic approach involves a lateral-to-medial approach to the left-sided transverse mesocolon (TM), a medial-to-lateral approach to the left mesocolon (LM), and take-down of the remnant SF. First, the omental bursa is opened and its posterior wall and the anterior layer of the TM are dissected along the pancreas, where a gauze is placed. The TM is spread cephalad. A window in the TM is opened in the gauze seen through the TM. If necessary, the middle colic vessels are divided with lymph node (LN) dissection. Then the left colic artery is divided with LN dissection using a medial approach. The LM is widely dissected from the retroperitoneum to reach the TM window. While observing the pancreas through the window, the LM and TM are divided from the pancreas close to the SF. The descending colon is mobilized from its lateral attachment. Finally, the SF is taken down from the spleen by separating remnant structures, including adhesions. Subsequently, functional end-to-end anastomosis was performed extracorporeally. RESULTS: During March 2012-December 2016, 39 patients with left-sided transverse or descending colon cancer underwent this treatment. The mean operative time, blood loss, number of harvested LNs, and hospital stay duration were 283 min, 45 ml, 15, and 9 days, respectively. No patient needed conversion to open surgery or had organ injury, anastomotic leakage, or Clavien-Dindo III-V complications. There were 7/13/18/1 patients with Stage I/II/III/IV colon cancer, respectively. Nineteen cases had positive LNs. All patients were alive with one local and two distant recurrences at a mean 24-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This is a safe and effective surgical strategy for treating colon cancer of the SF, strategically designed to resect the SF after dissecting the surrounding structures.

[A Resected Case of Cancer in the Ileum of the Blind Loop after an Ileotransverse Colostomy].

We report a resected case of cancer at the ileum of the blind loop. An 81-year-old male underwent an appendectomy for acute appendicitis and an ileotransverse colostomy for postoperative obstruction when he was 14 years old. He underwent radiation therapy for prostate cancer when he was 75 years old. Six years later, enhanced computed tomography revealed a 7 cm mass in the ileum of the blind loop. Colonoscopy showed wall thickening at the ileum of the blind loop, and biopsy revealed an adenocarcinoma. We performed partial resection of the ileum. The patient was discharged 17 days after surgery. Cancer at the ileum of the blind loop after an ileotransverse colostomy has rarely been reported.

Tumescent TAPP: laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair after the preperitoneal tumescent injection of diluted lidocaine and epinephrine saline solution and carbon dioxide gas.

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal inguinal hernia repair (TAPP) is technically difficult and not infrequently followed by postoperative complications and pain, especially when performed by inexperienced surgeons. To simplify TAPP and reduce postoperative pain, we devised a novel procedure whereby TAPP is carried out after the inguinal preperitoneal infiltration of diluted lidocaine and epinephrine saline solution and carbon dioxide gas (tumescent TAPP). This report introduces the concept of tumescent TAPP and summarizes its operative results. METHODS: About 120 ml of diluted lidocaine and epinephrine solution and 60 ml of CO2 gas were infiltrated into the inguinal preperitoneal space through a transabdominal needle before TAPP. Tumescent TAPP was performed for 400 patients (355 men, 45 women; mean age, 63.2 years). RESULTS: Using tumescent TAPP, we found it easier to confirm the inguinal anatomy and dissect the preperitoneal layer and inguinal floor, with less bleeding. The mean operation time was 101.9 min and there were few perioperative complications and minimal pain. CONCLUSIONS: Tumescent TAPP makes conventional TAPP easier and safer; however, this procedure should be verified by a comparative study with conventional TAPP.

Parastomal hernia repair with the Sugarbaker technique using e-PTFE mesh.

PURPOSES: Although surgery is commonly used to treat parastomal hernia, it is very difficult and has shown poor results. Recently, repair with prosthetic materials has been thought to be a more promising method. METHODS: The Sugarbaker technique with e-PTFE mesh (Dualmesh®) performed via open surgery was adopted for seven patients with parastomal hernia. Two of them were recurrent cases. Three of the patients experienced incarceration of the intestine and recovered conservatively before surgery. The median age of the patients at the parastomal hernia repair was 77.6 years old (range 37.7-84.7). RESULTS: The median operative time was 211 min (range 147-256). The median hernia size was 28 cm2 (range 7.5-60 cm2). The median amount of blood loss during the operation was 158 g (range 0-370 g). Surgical site infection was not observed. The postoperative median hospital stay was 17 days (range 13-40) and the median follow-up was 2.4 years (range 1.0-3.7). During the follow-up period, we did not observe recurrence or readmission. CONCLUSIONS: The surgical results were satisfactory with minimal morbidity and no recurrences. The Sugarbaker technique for parastomal repair using e-PTFE mesh may be suitable as a standard method for treating parastomal hernia.

Current status of pylorus-preserving gastrectomy for the treatment of gastric cancer: a questionnaire survey and review of literatures.

PURPOSE: This study was designed to investigate the current status of pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) for the treatment of gastric cancer by sending a questionnaire to institutions in Japan. METHODS: The questionnaire was prepared and sent to 930 institutions approved by the Japanese Society of Gastroenterological Surgery. Questions were the indications for PPG, preservation of the vagus nerves and the infra-pyloric artery, whether suprapyloric lymph nodes are dissected, distance between the pylorus and the gastrogastrostomy, and the advantages and disadvantages of PPG. RESULTS: Responses were obtained from 345 institutions (37.1%). In 148 institutions, PPG was included in the choices of operations for gastric cancer and indicated for patients with tumors no deeper than the submucosal layer for differentiated-type carcinoma, or for tumors limited to the mucosa even in poorly differentiated types in 105 institutions. The vagus was preserved in 73.5%, the infrapyloric artery was preserved in 49.4%, and the dissection of suprapyloric lymph nodes were partly performed in 56.2%. The distance between gastrogastrostomy and the pyloric ring was 3-3.9 cm in 43.4% and 2-2.9 cm in 39%. Layer-to-layer anastomosis was the most representative technique for gastrogastrostomy. The advantages of PPG with decreased incidence of dumping syndrome and remnant gastritis were quoted in 130 and 82 institutions, respectively. Delayed gastric emptying was considered as the most frequent disadvantage of PPG, as quoted by 111 institutions. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that standard technique in PPG includes the preservation of the vagus and infrapyloric artery, in part dissection of suprapyloric lymph nodes, and layer-to-layer anastomosis for reconstruction. The optimal length of the antral cuff is still controversial.

Nitroso-redox status and vascular function in marginal and severe ascorbate deficiency.

UNLABELLED: Marginal vitamin C (ascorbic acid) deficiency is a prevalent yet underappreciated risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Along with glutathione, ascorbate plays important roles in antioxidant defense and redox signaling. Production of nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species and their interaction, giving rise to nitroso and nitrosyl product formation, are key components of the redox regulation/signaling network. Numerous in vitro studies have demonstrated that these systems are interconnected via multiple chemical transformation reactions, but little is known about their dynamics and significance in vivo. AIMS: We sought to investigate the time-course of changes in NO/redox status and vascular function during ascorbate depletion in rats unable to synthesize vitamin C. RESULTS: We here show that both redox and protein nitros(yl)ation status in blood and vital organs vary dynamically during development of ascorbate deficiency. Prolonged marginal ascorbate deficiency is associated with cell/tissue-specific perturbations in ascorbate and glutathione redox and NO status. Scurvy develops earlier in marginally deficient compared to adequately supplemented animals, with blunted compensatory NO production and a dissociation of biochemistry from clinical symptomology in the former. Paradoxically, aortic endothelial reactivity is enhanced rather than impaired, irrespective of ascorbate status. Innovation/Conclusion: Enhanced NO production and protein nitros(yl)ation are integral responses to the redox stress of acute ascorbate deprivation. The elevated cardiovascular risk in marginal ascorbate deficiency is likely to be associated with perturbations of NO/redox-sensitive signaling nodes unrelated to the regulation of vascular tone. This new model may have merit for the future study of redox-sensitive events in marginal ascorbate deficiency.

An integrated approach to assessing nitroso-redox balance in systemic inflammation.

Most studies examining the metabolic fate of NO during systemic inflammation have focused on measuring the quantitatively predominating, stable anions nitrite and nitrate within the circulation. However, these are not necessarily the NO-related products that govern NO metabolism and signaling in tissues. We assessed all major NO derivatives temporally in blood and vital organs during inflammation and explored their relationship to insult severity and redox status. Male rats receiving intraperitoneal endotoxin or vehicle were sacrificed for organ and blood sampling between 0 and 24 h. Endotoxin induced transient and organ-specific changes in a variety of NO metabolites. Nitrite and nitrate increased, peaking at 8 and 12 h, respectively. S- and N-nitrosation and heme-nitrosylation products also peaked at 8 h; these posttranslational protein modifications were associated with decreased myocardial function (echocardiography). Evidence of oxidative stress and systemic inflammation was also obtained. The rise in most NO derivatives was proportional to insult severity. All metabolite levels normalized within 24 h, despite evidence of persisting myocardial dysfunction and clinical unwellness. Our findings point to a complex interplay between NO production, antioxidant defense, and redox status. Although the precise (patho)physiologic roles of specific NO derivatives and their diagnostic/prognostic utility await further investigation, nitroso species in erythrocytes are the most sensitive markers of NO in systemic inflammation, detectable before clinical symptoms manifest.

[A case of anal cancer with rapidly rising CEA in longstanding perianal Crohn disease after infliximab administration].

Infliximab is effective in the treatment of steroid-resistant Crohn disease. However, there is clinical concern about a possible correlation between an increased risk of anorectal cancer and infliximab treatment. We report a case of anorectal cancer in long-standing perianal Crohn disease. A 34-year-old patient with a long-standing perianal lesion of Crohn disease underwent 3 sessions of infliximab therapy. After therapy, the concentration of plasma CEA was 36.5ng/ml and rose to 91.4ng/ml. We suspected anorectal cancer, so abdominoperineal resection was performed. The histological findings indicated mucinous adenocarcinoma. Monitoring of patients with long-standing perianal Crohn disease is considered essential for early diagnosis of anal cancer after obtaining biopsy samples from perianal lesions. Additionally, when infliximab is started for perianal Crohn disease, thorough examination for perianal lesion should be performed.

Intracolonic capsaicin stimulates colonic motility and defecation in conscious dogs.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of intracolonic capsaicin on colonic motility and defecation. METHODS: The effects of capsaicin (1, 2, 5, and 10 mg) administrated into the proximal colon on ileocolonic motility and defecation were studied in neurally intact dogs with or without various antagonists (atropine, hexamethonium, ondansetron, propranolol, and FK224), dogs with extrinsic denervation of an ileocolonic segment, and dogs with enterically isolated ileocolonic loops equipped with strain gauge force transducers. RESULTS: Capsaicin at 5 and 10 mg evoked giant migrating contractions in a dose-independent manner, and it induced defecations with more than 90% probability in neurally intact dogs. These effects of capsaicin were abolished by atropine and hexamethonium. Ondansetron inhibited the capsaicin-induced increase in colonic motility but did not affect the induction of defecation. The other antagonists had no effect. In dogs with extrinsic denervation, capsaicin did not evoke giant migrating contractions in the colon but still induced defecation in 30-40% of experiments. In dogs with ileocolonic loops, capsaicin did not stimulate colonic motility nor induce defecation. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that intracolonic capsaicin causes giant migrating contractions and defecation. Intact extrinsic innervation, continuity of the colon, and intraluminal contents were considered necessary for this effect.

On the dynamics of nitrite, nitrate and other biomarkers of nitric oxide production in inflammatory bowel disease.

Nitrite and nitrate are frequently used surrogate markers of nitric oxide (NO) production. Using rat models of acute and chronic DSS-induced colitis we examined the applicability of these and other NO-related metabolites, in tissues and blood, for the characterization of inflammatory bowel disease. Global NO dynamics were assessed by simultaneous quantification of nitrite, nitrate, nitroso and nitrosyl species over time in multiple compartments. NO metabolite levels were compared to a composite disease activity index (DAI) and contrasted with measurements of platelet aggregability, ascorbate redox status and the effects of 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA). Nitroso products in the colon and in other organs responded in a manner consistent with the DAI. In contrast, nitrite and nitrate, in both intra- and extravascular compartments, exhibited variations that were not always in step with the DAI. Extravascular nitrite, in particular, demonstrated significant temporal instabilities, ranging from systemic drops to marked increases. The latter was particularly evident after cessation of the inflammatory stimulus and accompanied by profound ascorbate oxidation. Treatment with 5-ASA effectively reversed these fluctuations and the associated oxidative and nitrosative stress. Platelet activation was enhanced in both the acute and chronic model. Our results offer a first glimpse into the systemic nature of DSS-induced inflammation and reveal a greater complexity of NO metabolism than previously envisioned, with a clear dissociation of nitrite from other markers of NO production. The remarkable effectiveness of 5-ASA to abrogate the observed pattern of nitrite instability suggests a hitherto unrecognized role of this molecule in either development or resolution of inflammation. Its possible link to tissue oxygen consumption and the hypoxia that tends to accompany the inflammatory process warrants further investigation.

Factors affecting the bowel function after proctocolectomy and ileal J pouch-anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis.

The aim was to study determinants of postoperative bowel function after restorative proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis. Medical records of patients who underwent proctocolectomy with ileal J pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) in two- or three-stage operations and whose status of defecation was known via a questionnaire were retrospectively reviewed. Bowel function, including stool frequency, stool consistency, and degree of nighttime soiling, was correlated with age at the time of surgery, time after ileostomy closure, mean resting anal pressure, longitudinal length of ileal J pouch, and duration of fecal diversion by using univariate and multivariate analyses. Stool frequency decreased significantly with time after ileostomy closure in both univariate and multivariate analyses. Stool frequency tended to be less in patients having a long J pouch, but the correlation was not significant (P = 0.071) in univariate analysis. Nighttime soiling ameliorated with time after ileostomy closure in multivariate, but not univariate, analysis. Deterioration of nighttime soiling was seen in patients whose duration for fecal diversion was long, both in univariate (P = 0.068) and multivariate (P = 0.052) analyses. Stool consistency was related to none of the five factors investigated. These results indicate that as the time after surgery increases, stool frequency decreases and nighttime soiling ameliorates. Delaying ileostomy closure because of anticipated postoperative incontinence does not significantly alter postoperative continence.