Preventive Effect of Cardiotrophin-1 Administration before DSS-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Mice.

Ulcerative colitis is a relatively frequent, chronic disease that impacts significantly the patient's quality of life. Although many therapeutic options are available, additional approaches are needed because many patients either do not respond to current therapies or show significant side effects. Cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) is a cytokine with potent cytoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic properties. The purpose of this study was to assess if the administration of CT-1 could reduce colon damage in mice with experimental colitis was induced with 5% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in the drinking water. Half of the mice received an i.v. dose of CT-1 (200 µg/kg) 2 h before and 2 and 4 days after DSS administration. Animals were followed during 7 days after DSS administration. The severity of colitis was measured by standard scores. Colon damage was assessed by histology and immunohistochemistry. Inflammatory mediators were measured by Western blot and PCR. CT-1 administration to DSS-treated mice ameliorated both the clinical course (disease activity index), histological damage, inflammation (colon expression of TNF-α, IL-17, IL-10, INF IFN-γ, and iNOS), and apoptosis. Our results suggest that CT-1 administration before induction of colitis improves the clinical course, tissue damage, and inflammation in DSS-induced colitis in mice.

Resultados a largo plazo del tratamiento con linaclotida en el síndrome de intestino irritable tipo estreñimiento / Long-term results of linaclotide in the treatment of constipation-type irritable bowel syndrome

Antecedentes: el síndrome de intestino irritable tipo estreñimiento (SII-E) es una patología prevalente, compleja y multifactorial que representa un desafío tanto desde el punto de vista diagnóstico como terapéutico. Objetivo: evaluar la efectividad, seguridad y satisfacción de linaclotida en pacientes con SII-E. Métodos: estudio prospectivo, unicéntrico y observacional realizado en pacientes con diagnóstico de SII-E. Los pacientes recibieron tratamiento con linaclotida (Constella(r), Allergan Inc., Irvine, CA), 290 microgramos/24 horas, una cápsula 30 minutos antes del desayuno. La variable primaria de efectividad fue el número de deposiciones por semana. Las variables secundarias incluían el grado de satisfacción y el registro de la frecuencia e intensidad de los síntomas (dolor e hinchazón), medidos mediante una escala visual analógica (EVA) de once niveles (0-10), y recogidas mediante un diario que se entregó al paciente. Resultados: treinta pacientes, todas mujeres, fueron incluidas consecutivamente. La mediana del tiempo de seguimiento fue de 18 meses. La media (deviación estándar [DE]) de deposiciones por semana aumentó desde 0,9 (0,6) al inicio del estudio hasta 4,7 (3,7) al final del mismo (p < 0,0001). Resultados similares fueron observados con el dolor (5,7 [2,3] frente a 3,1 [2,8] al inicio y al final del estudio, respectivamente, p < 0,0001) y con la hinchazón (6,8 [1,6] frente a 2,9 [2,5] al inicio y final del estudio, respectivamente, p < 0,0001). El grado medio (DE) de satisfacción al final del estudio fue 6,7 (3,0). Conclusiones: el tratamiento con linaclotida en pacientes con SII-E en el entorno de la práctica clínica se ha mostrado eficaz y seguro a largo plazo

Background: constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (C-IBS) is a prevalent, complex and multifactorial disorder that represents a challenge in terms of diagnosis and therapeutic management. Objective: to evaluate the effectiveness, safety and treatment satisfaction of linaclotide in C-IBS patients. Methods: prospective, single-center and observational study conducted in patients diagnosed with C-IBS. The patients were treated with linaclotide (Constella(r), Allergan Inc., Irvine, CA), once-daily via an oral capsule of 290-µg, 30 minutes before breakfast. The primary effectiveness endpoint was the number of bowel movements per week. The secondary endpoints included treatment satisfaction and changes from baseline in frequency and severity of symptoms (abdominal pain and bloating). This was assessed via an 11-point visual analog scale (VAS) reported by the patients in a daily register. Results: thirty female patients were consecutively included. The median follow-up time was 18 months. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) number of weekly bowel movements significantly increased from 0.9 (0.6) at baseline to 4.7 (3.9) at the end of follow-up, p < 0.0001. Abdominal pain significantly decreased from 5.7 (2.3) at baseline to 3.1 (2.8) at the end of the follow-up period, p < 0.0001. Similarly, bloating significantly decreased from 6.8 (1.6) to 2.9 (2.5) at the beginning and end of the treatment period, respectively, p < 0.0001. The mean (SD) degree of satisfaction at the end of the study was 6.7 (3.0). Conclusions: long-term linaclotide treatment in patients with C-IBS is effective and safe in the clinical setting

Long-term results of linaclotide in the treatment of constipation-type irritable bowel syndrome.

BACKGROUND: constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (C-IBS) is a prevalent, complex and multifactorial disorder that represents a challenge in terms of diagnosis and therapeutic management. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the effectiveness, safety and treatment satisfaction of linaclotide in C-IBS patients. METHODS: prospective, single-center and observational study conducted in patients diagnosed with C-IBS. The patients were treated with linaclotide (Constella®, Allergan Inc., Irvine, CA), once-daily via an oral capsule of 290-µg, 30 minutes before breakfast. The primary effectiveness endpoint was the number of bowel movements per week. The secondary endpoints included treatment satisfaction and changes from baseline in frequency and severity of symptoms (abdominal pain and bloating). This was assessed via an 11-point visual analog scale (VAS) reported by the patients in a daily register. RESULTS: thirty female patients were consecutively included. The median follow-up time was 18 months. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) number of weekly bowel movements significantly increased from 0.9 (0.6) at baseline to 4.7 (3.9) at the end of follow-up, p < 0.0001. Abdominal pain significantly decreased from 5.7 (2.3) at baseline to 3.1 (2.8) at the end of the follow-up period, p < 0.0001. Similarly, bloating significantly decreased from 6.8 (1.6) to 2.9 (2.5) at the beginning and end of the treatment period, respectively, p < 0.0001. The mean (SD) degree of satisfaction at the end of the study was 6.7 (3.0). CONCLUSIONS: long-term linaclotide treatment in patients with C-IBS is effective and safe in the clinical setting.

Cardiotrophin-1 attenuates experimental colitis in mice.

Cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) holds potent anti-inflammatory, cytoprotective, and anti-apoptotic effects in the liver, kidneys, and heart. In the present study, the role of endogenous CT-1 and the effect of exogenous CT-1 were evaluated in experimental ulcerative colitis. Colitis was induced in CT-1 knockout and wild-type (WT) mice by administration of dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) in the drinking water during 7 days. CT-1 knockout mice showed higher colon damage and disease severity than WT mice. In addition, CT-1 (200 µg/kg/day, iv) or vehicle (as control) was administered during 3 days to WT, colitic mice, starting on day 4 after initiation of DSS. Disease activity index (DAI), inflammatory markers (tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), INFγ, IL-17, IL-10, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)), colon damage, apoptosis (cleaved caspase 3), nuclear factor κB (NFκB) and STAT-3 activation, and bacterial translocation were measured. Compared with mice treated with DSS, mice also treated with exogenous CT-1 showed lower colon damage, DAI, plasma levels of TNFα, colon expression of TNF-α, INFγ, IL-17, iNOS and cleaved caspase 3, higher NFκB and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathways activation, and absence of bacterial translocation. We conclude that endogenous CT-1 plays a role in the defense and repair response of the colon against ulcerative lesions through an anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effect. Supplementation with exogenous CT-1 ameliorates disease symptoms, which opens a potentially new therapeutic strategy for ulcerative colitis.

Hemorragia digestiva secundaria a enteritis por herpes virus en paciente inmunodeprimido / Gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to enteritis due to herpes virus in an immunosuppressed man

No disponible

Estado periodontal de pacientes atendidos en la Clínica Estomatológica Vista Alegre / Periodontal status of patients attended in Vista Alegre Dental Clinic

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo y transversal de 36 pacientes atendidos en la Consulta de Periodoncia de la Clínica Estomatológica Vista Alegre de Santiago de Cuba, desde octubre del 2010 hasta marzo del 2011, con vistas a describir el estado periodontal de estos y algunos factores de riesgo asociados. La validación estadística se realizó mediante la prueba de Ji al cuadrado, con un grado de significación de 0,05, para 95 por ciento de confiabilidad si p=0,05. De las variables de la serie primaron la periodontitis, la edad de 35 años o más, el sexo femenino, la consejería bucal en la atención primaria de salud y las remisiones deficientes al Servicio de Periodoncia (con un importante porcentaje); en tanto, de los factores de riesgo preponderaron la higiene bucal incorrecta, los cálculos y el empaquetamiento de alimentos. También se observó una correlación significativa de la diabetes mellitus con la enfermedad periodontal(AU)

A descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out in 36 patients attending the Periodontics Department of Vista Alegre Dental Clinic in Santiago de Cuba from October 2010 to March 2011, in order to describe the periodontal status of these patients and some associated risk factors. The statistical validation was performed by chi-square test with a significance level of 0.05 and 95 percent of confidence if p = 0.05. Of the variates in the series periodontitis, age 35 or older, female sex, oral counseling in primary health care and inadequate referrals to the Service of Periodontics (with a significant percentage) prevailed, while of the risk factors poor oral hygiene, dental calculi and food accumulation predominated. A significant correlation of diabetes mellitus with periodontal disease was also observed(AU)

Estado periodontal de pacientes atendidos en la Clínica Estomatológica Vista Alegre / Periodontal status of patients attended in Vista Alegre Dental Clinic

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo y transversal de 36 pacientes atendidos en la Consulta de Periodoncia de la Clínica Estomatológica Vista Alegre de Santiago de Cuba, desde octubre del 2010 hasta marzo del 2011, con vistas a describir el estado periodontal de estos y algunos factores de riesgo asociados. La validación estadística se realizó mediante la prueba de Ji al cuadrado, con un grado de significación de 0,05, para 95 % de confiabilidad si p=0,05. De las variables de la serie primaron la periodontitis, la edad de 35 años o más, el sexo femenino, la consejería bucal en la atención primaria de salud y las remisiones deficientes al Servicio de Periodoncia (con un importante porcentaje); en tanto, de los factores de riesgo preponderaron la higiene bucal incorrecta, los cálculos y el empaquetamiento de alimentos. También se observó una correlación significativa de la diabetes mellitus con la enfermedad periodontal.

A descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out in 36 patients attending the Periodontics Department of Vista Alegre Dental Clinic in Santiago de Cuba from October 2010 to March 2011, in order to describe the periodontal status of these patients and some associated risk factors. The statistical validation was performed by chi-square test with a significance level of 0.05 and 95% of confidence if p = 0.05. Of the variates in the series periodontitis, age 35 or older, female sex, oral counseling in primary health care and inadequate referrals to the Service of Periodontics (with a significant percentage) prevailed, while of the risk factors poor oral hygiene, dental calculi and food accumulation predominated. A significant correlation of diabetes mellitus with periodontal disease was also observed.

Ileítis por citomegalovirus en paciente inmunocompetente / No disponible

El citomegalovirus (CMV) es un virus perteneciente a la familia de los Herperviridae. La infección puede causar una enfermedad grave en inmunodeprimidos, sin embargo también puede afectar a inmunocompetentes, y da lugar a cuadros clínicos generalmente autolimitados, aunque se han descrito casos graves que pueden llevar a la muerte. Presentamos un caso de ileítis por CMV con manifestaciones clínicas graves que motivaron intervención quirúrgica urgente en un paciente inmunocompetente(AU)

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a virus that belongs to the family of Herpesviridae. Infection can cause a serious disease in immunocompromised patients, but it can also affect immunocompetent patients, creating generally self limiting symptoms. However, in some cases it can be fatal. We present a case of CMV ileitis with serious clinical symptoms that led to an operation in an immunocompetent patient(AU)

[Autoimmune enteropathy in an adult patient]. / Enteropatía autoinmune en un paciente adulto.

Autoimmune enteropathy (AIE) is an infrequent cause of malabsorption that is usually associated with the presence of circulating autoantibodies and a predisposition to autoimmune disorders. This disease is more frequent in children. The diagnosis of this disorder is based on five criteria: chronic diarrhea (>6 weeks), malabsorption, specific histological findings, exclusion of similar disorders, and the presence of specific antibodies such as anti-enterocyte and anti-goblet cell antibodies. We present the case of a 63-year-old patient with chronic diarrhea, weight loss and significant deterioration of nutritional status.

Enteropatía autoinmune en un paciente adulto / Autoimmune enteropathy in an adult patient

El diagnóstico de esta entidad se basa en cuatro criterios, la presencia de diarrea crónica (más de 6 semanas), un cuadro clínico compatible con malabsorción, una histología específica, la exclusión de otras enfermedades que pueden cursar de forma similar y la presencia de autoanticuerpos específicos como pueden ser los anticuerpos entienterocito y anticélula caliciforme. Presentamos a continuación el caso de un paciente de 63 años de edad con un cuadro clínico que consiste en diarrea crónica, pérdida de peso e importante repercusión en su estado nutricional (AU)

Autoimmune enteropathy (AIE) is an infrequent cause of malabsorption that is usually associated with the presence of circulating autoantibodies and a predisposition to autoimmune disorders. This disease is more frequent in children.The diagnosis of this disorder is based on five criteria: chronic diarrhea (>6 weeks), malabsorption, specific histological findings, exclusion of similar disorders, and the presence of specific antibodies such as anti-enterocyte and anti-goblet cell antibodies. We present the case of a 63-year-old patient with chronic diarrhea, weight loss and significant deterioration of nutritional status (AU)

[Emphysematous pancreatitis: Conservative or surgical treatment?]. / Pancreatitis enfisematosa. ¿Tratamiento conservador o quirúrgico?

Emphysematous pancreatitis is a severe and rare complication of acute pancreatitis. This entity is diagnosed on clinical grounds and on the basis of the radiologic finding of gas in the retroperitoneum. Infected pancreatic necrosis is potentially lethal, with mortality rates of more than 35%. Surgery is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in these critically ill patients. Endoscopic ultrasonography techniques, laparoscopic surgery and percutaneous drainage have the potential to offer a safe and effective alternative treatment modality. However, the precise role of these procedures requires further investigation. The treatment of these patients should be individualized, dynamic and multidisciplinary. We present two cases of emphysematous pancreatitis with distinct therapeutic management.

Pancreatitis enfisematosa. ¿Tratamiento conservador o quirúrgico? / Emphysematous pancreatitis: Conservative or surgical treatment?

La pancreatitis enfisematosa (PE) es una complicación grave y rara de la pancreatitis aguda. El diagnóstico se basa en los datos clínicos y en el hallazgo radiológico de gas en el retroperitoneo. La necrosis pancreática infectada es potencialmente letal, con una tasa de mortalidad superior al 35%. La cirugía en estos pacientes asocia una alta morbimortalidad. La ultrasonografía endoscópica, el tratamiento quirúrgico laparoscópico y el drenaje percutáneo ofrecen una modalidad de tratamiento alternativo a la cirugía, seguro y eficaz. Sin embargo, se requieren más estudios para definir el lugar que ocupan estas técnicas en el tratamiento de estos pacientes, que debe ser individualizado, dinámico y multidisciplinario. Presentamos 2 casos de PE con distinto tratamiento terapéutico(AU)

Emphysematous pancreatitis is a severe and rare complication of acute pancreatitis. This entity is diagnosed on clinical grounds and on the basis of the radiologic finding of gas in the retroperitoneum. Infected pancreatic necrosis is potentially lethal, with mortality rates of more than 35%. Surgery is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in these critically ill patients. Endoscopic ultrasonography techniques, laparoscopic surgery and percutaneous drainage have the potential to offer a safe and effective alternative treatment modality. However, the precise role of these procedures requires further investigation. The treatment of these patients should be individualized, dynamic and multidisciplinary. We present two cases of emphysematous pancreatitis with distinct therapeutic management(AU)