Analysis of DNA strand breaks, oxidized bases, and glutathione S-transferase P1 in human colon cells from biopsies.

The balance of genetic damage and deactivating enzymes is decisive for cancer risk. To assess these factors in normal human colon cells, we determined background levels of DNA breaks or oxidized bases and of glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) as potential biomarkers of risk and chemoprevention, respectively. Also, genotoxicity by compounds involved in lipid peroxidation was determined to elucidate possible sources of damage. Cells were isolated from sigmoid biopsies of 51 donors and processed with the comet assay to reveal genetic damage. GST proteins were analyzed immunologically. HT29 clone 19A colon tumor cells, resembling primary cells, were treated with 2-trans-hexenal (400 microM) or hydrogen peroxide (75 microM) and processed for damage. Fifteen percent of primary colon cells contained strand breaks; 22% contained additional oxidized bases, with distinct sex differences. Similar damage was found in HT29 clone cells and is induced by both test compounds. GST levels were similar in both cell types. The comet assay is sufficiently sensitive to detect oxidative genetic damage in small amounts of cells from small amounts of biopsies. Lipid peroxidation is a possible risk factor. Together with GST as a potential biomarker of chemoprevention, the technique may serve as a valuable biomarker to assess exposure to risk factors.

[Treatment of acute peptic gastroduodenal ulcer: omeprazole is superior to ranitidine especially in the early phase of ulcer healing. A prospective controlled randomized serial endoscopy study]. / Behandlung des akuten peptischen Gastroduodenal-Ulkus: Omeprazol ist Ranitidin besonders in der Frühphase der Ulkusheilung überlegen. Eine prospektive kontrollierte randomisierte Serien-Endoskopie-Studie.

UNLABELLED: Omeprazole (OM) has been shown to be superior to H2-Blockers in terms of complete healing rates of gastric (GU) and duodenal ulcers (DU). We investigated in more detail the kinetics of ulcer healing under OM (20 mg mane) compared with ranitidine (RAN 300 mg nocte) in GU (n = 28) and DU (n = 27) by multiple series endoscopy. After endoscopic diagnosis (day 0) patients were allocated to either OM or RAN in a random order. Endoscopic controls were undertaken at day (d) 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 42 up to complete ulcer healing. The seize of ulcer areas was assessed by independent endocopists estimating the longest and shortest diameter D acc. to the formula A = pi x D1 x D2:4. RESULTS: In GU and DU cumulating healing rates were sign, higher under OM. In GU and DU, the most striking differences in the absolute and percentual reduction of ulcer seize in favour of OM vs RAN were observed mainly during the first week. At d3 under OM the reduction in DU-area was 43% and at d7 75% compared to a distinctly lower rate under RAN with the corresponding figures of 9% and 61% resp. In GU the mean reduction in area was for IM at d3 41%, at d7 82% in contrast to RAN at d3 of 34% and d7 of 49%. The faster healing during the first week was accompanied by sign more rapid reduction in day-and-night-painscore during OM vs RAN.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Improving the effect of orthograde colonic lavage with golytely solution by adding dimethicone]. / Wirkungsverbesserung der orthograden Dickdarm-lavage mit Golytelylösung durch zusätzliche Gabe von Dimeticon.

The effectiveness of an additional application of Simethicone during an orthograde lavage with Golytely solution in preparation for colonoscopy was tested in a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled double blind study on 152 patients 78 Simethicone, 74 placebo). The colon regions were separated into rectosigmoid, descending colon, transverse colon and ascending colon and interpreted according to the criteria formation of foam and contamination with feces. By the endoscopic examination of the colon we found a statistically significant improvement in visibility in the patients treated with Simethicone in contrast to placebo both in the individual scores, separated according to each of the colon regions, and in the total scores (p < 0.01). Furthermore, the time needed for the colonoscopy could be significantly shortened in the Simethicone group (p < 0.05). Adverse effects were not observed. We conclude that the additional application of Simethicone during the orthograde colon lavage with Golytely solution results in an improvement in the preparation for the colonoscopy as well as visibility of the colon mucosa.