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Quiescent Ulcerative Colitis (quiescent + ulcerative_colitis)

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Medical Sciences	100%

Selected Abstracts

Systemic and local cytokine production in quiescent ulcerative colitis and its relationship to future relapse: A prospective pilot study

INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES, Issue 6 2005
Takayuki Yamamoto MD
Abstract Background: The main aim of this prospective study was to examine whether systemic (plasma) and local (mucosal) cytokine production is a predictor of future relapse in patients with quiescent ulcerative colitis (UC). The impact of other clinical and laboratory parameters on relapse was also studied. Methods: Fifty consecutive patients with quiescent UC were included. At enrollment, blood and mucosal (rectal biopsies) samples were collected. All patients were followed up regularly for 1 year after enrollment. Plasma and mucosal cytokine levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. To identify independent significant predictive factors for relapse, time-dependent analyses using the Kaplan-Meier method and the Cox proportional hazard model were performed. Results: Thirty-four patients remained in remission, and 16 patients relapsed during the 1-year follow-up. Higher interleukin (IL)-8 levels in the rectal mucosa were significantly associated with relapse. In contrast, IL-1,, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-, levels in the rectal mucosa were not associated with relapse. Conventional blood markers and plasma cytokines (IL-1,, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-,) did not correlate with relapse. Among clinical factors, age and number of prior relapses were significantly associated with relapse. In multivariate analysis, a higher rectal mucosal IL-8 level (,160 pg/mg of tissue; hazard ratio, 4.7), younger age (<30 yr; hazard ratio, 7.3), and a greater number of prior relapses (,5; hazard ratio, 4.3) were independent significant risk factors for future relapse. Conclusions: Rectal mucosal IL-8 measurement might be an additional objective diagnostic tool that can predict relapse in patients with quiescent UC. [source]

Thickness and continuity of the adherent colonic mucus barrier in active and quiescent ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PRACTICE, Issue 5 2008
V. Strugala
Summary Background:, The colon is covered by a mucus barrier that protects the underlying mucosa and alterations in this mucus barrier have been implicated in the aetiology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study investigated the thickness and continuity of the mucus barrier in ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) in comparison to normal controls. Methods:, Rectal biopsies were taken from 59 patients and cryostat sections stained with periodic acid-Schiff's/Alcian blue to visualise the mucus layer. Mucus thickness and continuity and goblet cell density were measured using light microscopy. Results:, An essentially continuous adherent mucus layer was observed in normal human rectum and there was no change in the mucus barrier in quiescent UC. In active UC there was a trend for the mucus layer to become progressively thinner and significantly more discontinuous as disease severity increased. In severe active UC the mucus layer thickness and goblet cell density were significantly reduced compared with normal controls while the percentage discontinuity significantly increased. Conclusion:, It is not until severe UC that there is a global change in mucosal protection as a consequence of large regions lacking mucus, a decrease in secretory potential caused by a loss of goblet cells and a thinner, less effective mucus layer even when it is present. [source]

Efficacy of Lactobacillus GG in maintaining remission of ulcerative colitis

ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 11 2006
M. A. ZOCCO
Summary Background Aminosalicylates are the mainstay of therapy to prevent relapse of quiescent ulcerative colitis. The rationale for using probiotics is based on the evidence implicating intestinal bacteria in the pathogenesis of this disorder. Aim To evaluate the efficacy of Lactobacillus GG alone or in combination with mesalazine vs. mesalazine as maintenance treatment in ulcerative colitis. Patients and methods 187 ulcerative colitis patients with quiescent disease were randomized to receive Lactobacillus GG 18 × 109 viable bacteria/day (65 patients), mesalazine 2400 mg/day (60 patients) or Lactobacillus GG + mesalazine (62 patients). Disease activity index, endoscopic and histological scores were determined at 0, 6 and 12 months and in case of relapse. The primary end point was to evaluate sustained remission. Results Overall analysis showed no difference in relapse rate at 6 (P = 0.44) and 12 months (P = 0.77) among the three treatment groups. However, the treatment with Lactobacillus GG seems to be more effective than standard treatment with mesalazine in prolonging the relapse-free time (P < 0.05). Conclusions Lactobacillus GG seems to be effective and safe for maintaining remission in patients with ulcerative colitis, and it could represent a good therapeutic option for preventing relapse in this group of patients. [source]