Evaluation of the relationship between serum ghrelin, C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 levels, and disease activity in inflammatory bowel diseases.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Ghrelin is a 28 aminoasid peptide hormone, have generally focused upon this peptide's role upon growth and energy metabolism. Recently, studies investigating ghrelin's effect upon inflammation and immune response have gained importance. We aimed to compare the effectiveness of ghrelin levels, Creactive protein and interleukin-6 levels in establishing disease activity. METHODOLOGY: 52 cases with ulcerative colitis and 33 with Crohn's disease, total 85 patients, were included in this study. The serum ghrelin levels of the patients in remission and of those with active disease were compared. RESULTS: The mean serum ghrelin level in active patients (1243 ± 648 pg/ml), was found to be higher than those in remission (466 ± 214 pg/ml) (p<0.001). In establishing the disease activity, CRP is a the most effective marker compared to the other two inflammatory markers. AUC values were established as; CRP: 0.947 (95% CI,0.903-0.992),ghrelin:0.934(95% CI, 0.884-0.984) and interleukin-6: 0.756 (95% CI, 0.648- 0.864). DISCUSSION: Serum ghrelin level can be used with CRP as an important marker in establishing the mucosal damage in inflammatory bowel diseases.

GSTP1 gene methylation profiles in Helicobacter pylori (+) and (-) antral intestinal metaplasia and distal gastric tumour patients in Turkish population.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Gastric cancer (GC) is the second most common malignancy worldwide, with a high mortality rate. The incidence of GC has declined in the western countries during the last decades. The glutathione S-transferases comprise a group of enzymes that are critical in the detoxification of carcinogens. In this study we aimed at the relationship GSTP-1 methylation in patients with intestinal metaplasia with and without Helicobacter pylori infection, gastric cancer and controls. METHODOLOGY: The methylation status of GSTP1 gene was analyzed by methylation specific PCR after bisulfate modification in H. pylori (+) (n=25) and (-) (n=25) intestinal metaplasia (IM) patients, GC (n=25) and control subjects (n=15) between September 2009 to November 2011. RESULTS: During the study period 90 patients who underwent endoscopic examination were included in the study. When we considered the GSTP1 gene methylation profile in all of the groups; 26 (28%)patients had methylated GSTP1 gene, 31 (34%) patients had unmethylated GSTP1 gene and 33 (36%) patients had heterogeneously methylated GSTPI gene. CONCLUSIONS: GSTP1 gene methylation profile is not appropriate for early diagnosis of cases with gastric cancer.

Interferon-lamivudine combination is no better than lamivudine alone in anti-HBe-positive chronic hepatitis B.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Results of studies using lamivudine and interferon combination in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B are not consistent or conclusive. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of interferon plus lamivudine use versus single lamivudine in anti-HBe-positive chronic hepatitis B. METHODS: Eighty patients were treated with either lamivudine or lamivudine plus simultaneously started interferon. Patients were assigned in groups according to random allocation rule. Lamivudine was given 150 mg/day for 96 weeks in each group; interferon was administered 10 MU three times a week for 24 weeks in the combination therapy group. RESULTS: Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization was achieved earlier in patients treated with lamivudine alone. At the end of treatment, there was no difference between the groups with respect to HBV DNA negativity, ALT normalization and breakthrough rate. Histological improvement was remarkable in each group, but fibrosis score and necro-inflammatory activity were much lower in lamivudine-treated patients. CONCLUSIONS: Addition of interferon to the lamivudine regimen does not increase the effectiveness of the treatment. Considering the side effects of interferon treatment, this combination seems not to be convenient for anti-HBe-positive chronic hepatitis B.