The influence of pretreatment with ghrelin on the development of acetic-acid-induced colitis in rats.

Ghrelin has been primarily shown to exhibit protective and therapeutic effect in the gut. Pretreatment with ghrelin inhibits the development of acute pancreatitis and accelerates pancreatic recovery in the course of this disease. In the stomach, ghrelin reduces gastric mucosal damage induced by ethanol, stress or alendronate, as well as accelerates the healing of acetic acid-induced gastric and duodenal ulcer. The aim of present studies was to investigate the effect of pretreatment with ghrelin on the development of acetic acid-induced colitis. Studies have been performed on male Wistar rats. Animals were treated intraperitoneally with saline (control) or ghrelin (4, 8 or 16 nmol/kg/dose). Saline or ghrelin was given twice: 8 and 1 h before induction of colitis. Colitis was induced by a rectal enema with 1 ml of 4% solution of acetic acid and the severity of colitis was assessed 1 or 24 hours after induction of inflammation. Rectal administration of acetic acid induced colitis in all animals. Damage of colonic wall was seen at the macroscopic and microscopic level. This effect was accompanied by a reduction in colonic blood flow and mucosal DNA synthesis. Moreover, induction of colitis significantly increased mucosal concentration of pro-inflammatory interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), activity of myeloperoxidase and concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA). Mucosal activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was reduced. Pretreatment with ghrelin reduced the area and grade of mucosal damage. This effect was accompanied by an improvement of blood flow, DNA synthesis and SOD activity in colonic mucosa. Moreover, ghrelin administration reduced mucosal concentration of IL-1ß and MDA, as well as decreased mucosal activity of myeloperoxidase. Administration of ghrelin protects the large bowel against the development of the acetic acid-induced colitis and this effect seems to be related to the ghrelin-evoked anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects.

A role of hydrogen peroxide producing commensal bacteria present in colon of adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease in perpetuation of the inflammatory process.

Bacteria in the gut play a central role in the initiation and progress of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study was prepared to elucidate the role in the inflammatory process of the bacterial species which are able to produce hydrogen peroxide, present in samples taken from colon lesions in adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease. Fifty eight adolescents were enrolled into the study from January 2004 to October 2006 in Cracow, Poland. Biopsies and stool samples were collected. Bacteriological examinations and measurements of hydrogen peroxide production by enterococci, streptococci and lactobacilli were performed. For the first time it has been shown here that HP producing bacteria may contribute to increased amounts of hydrogen peroxide in the inflamed mucosa of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis patients. Moreover, we have been able to demonstrate an increase of total populations of aerobic bacteria but not anaerobes in the studied samples of mucosa of adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease which is an indirect evidence of higher oxygen tension present in inflamed tissues in IBD. We have also been able to demonstrate the direct relationship between presence of blood in stools of IBD adolescents and increased populations of Enterobacteriaceae but not streptococci in samples of colon mucosa. It is, therefore, possible that different products of Enterobacteriaceae and especially their lipopolysaccharides may also contribute to perpetuation of the chronic colon inflammation.

Frequency of Helicobacter pylori infection in children under 4 years of age.

The work aimed at establishment of frequency of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection in children under 4 years of age. One hundred ninety-eight children (6 month to 4 year) were tested using urea breath test (UBT) with the non-radioactive isotope (13)C (50 mg of urea). The air was collected before and in the 20(th) and 30(th) minute after standard meal. The results of measurements (mass spectrometry IRMS) were given as a quotient (13)CO(2)/CO(2) (delta), and a positive value was set at delta>3,5%. Parents of tested children were asked to fill in a questionnaire on a somatic development, the digestive tract symptoms of a child and family members as well as socioeconomic conditions. The data were analyzed to establish the risk factors in Hp infection in children. Hp infection was found in 18,38% of children. It was not related to child's sex nor age. The statistical significance was found in the occurrence of Hp infection among children whose family members had infection and among those attending créches or kindergartens. Non-radioactive (13)C UBT is very useful and easy method to use in epidemiological studies even in youngest children. The course of infection was asymptomatic and had no impact on their somatic development. Factors increasing the risk of Hp infection were occurrence of Hp among other family members and contact with other children in educational facilities.

[Effects of antibiotic therapy on endoscopic examination of the upper gastrointestinal tract in children with Helicobacter pylori infections]. / Wplyw antybiotykoterapii na obraz zmian endoskopowych górnego odcinka przewodu pokarmowego u dzieci zakazonych Helicobacter pylori.

The aim of the study was defining the antibiotic influence for endoscopic picture of the upper segment of gastrointestinal tract in Helicobacter pylori infection. We remained retrospectively analysis of 790 endoscopies. In 62 of the analysed patients we found Helicobacter pylori infection. We divided these children into two groups. The first group, contained 15 children, who received antibiotics for the previous year, for any reasons. The second, comparative group was made up of 47 children, who didn't receive antibiotics. We compared 18 characteristics of endoscopic picture in the oesophagus, stomach and duodenum mucosa. As a result of this study we conclude, that: 1) the most frequently the endoscopic changes were found in the stomach, as an erythema, an oedema and a nodularity of mucosa; 2) the inflammatory changes were in oesophagus and duodenum, as well; 3) we didn't observe the clear influence of antibiotics on the development of endoscopic changes in Helicobacter pylori infection; 4) in children, who didn't receive antibiotics, we observed polypus in the oesophagus, erosions in the stomach and ulcer in the duodenum. This may suggest the preventive role of antibiotics on intensity of gastrointestinal changes in Helicobacter pylori infected children.

Chronic granulomatous disease of childhood: gastric manifestation and response to salazosulfapyridine therapy.

The case history of a 10-year-old boy with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) and gastric obstruction is presented. First abdominal symptoms occurred at 4 years of age when antral narrowing was detected. Due to unresponsiveness to antibiotic and steroid treatment, salazosulfapyridine therapy was initiated. Objective remission was observed within 3 months and salazosulfapyridine was withdrawn after a further 6 months of therapy. At 6 years of age clinical and radiological recurrence of gastric obstruction was observed. Salazosulfapyridine was reinstated and continued as maintenance therapy. The child has been well for more than 4 years. Salazosulfapyridine therapy can be recommended as safe conservative treatment of gastric obstruction in CGD.