Extraction, isolation, and SDS-PAGE analysis of purified gastric mucin in a patient with Menetrier's disease

Platelet number in different anticoagulants as a diagnostic biomarker for increased intestinal permeability

The main pathological process associated to increased intestinal permeability is the translocation of toxic products, predominantly endotoxins/lipopolysaccharide (LPS), from the intestinal tract into the microcirculation. In blood, LPS binds to surface receptors on immune cells initiating an inflammatory response. LPS can also bind to platelets leading to preactivated platelets that have a lower threshold to be aggregated in presence heparin. The aim of this study was to validate a simple, fast and reliable test for screening LPS-loaded platelets. This test named PANDA (acronym for Platelet Number in Different Anticoagulants) consists in the measurement of the mean platelet number in blood samples collected into EDTA and heparin. We analyzed blood samples from 92 patients with gastrointestinal diseases and 23 healthy volunteers and found a markedly low number of platelets in heparinized blood compared to EDTA-anticoagulated blood in patients but not in healthy volunteers. Furthermore, ex vivo addition of endotoxin to blood samples induced a remarkable decrease in platelet count in heparinized blood of the volunteers but not in the patient's group, where platelets could be previously saturated by endotoxin circulating in blood. Platelet should be counted during the first hour after blood collection, in order to avoid false results due to a progressive platelet aggregation in heparinized blood in function of the time. Our results demonstrated that PANDA test can be used for screening LPS-loaded platelets as an indirect diagnostic biomarker for increased intestinal permeability and also for monitoring the gut barrier function during the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases.

Gastroprotective effect of kefir on ulcer induced in irradiated rats

The current study was designed to investigate the protective effect of kefir milk on ethanol-induced gastric ulcers in γ-irradiated rats. The results of the present study revealed that treatment with γ-irradiation and/or ethanol showed a significant increase in ulcers number, total acidity, peptic, H(+)K(+)ATPase, MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities and MDA level, which were accompanied by a significant decrease in the mucus content, the stomach GSH level, the GSH-Px activity and DNA damage. Pre-treatment with kefir milk exert significant improvement in all the tested parameters. Kefir milk exerts comparable effect to that of the antiulcer drug ranitidine. In conclusion, the present study revealed that oral administration of kefir milk prevents ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in γ-irradiated rats that could attribute to its antioxidant, anti-apoptotic and radio-protective activities.

Expression of gastric mucin in the stomachs of two patients with Menetrier's disease: an immunohistochemical study

Menetrier's disease is a rare gastric condition characterized by marked proliferation of the mucosa and variable mucus secretion and achlorhydria. We report, for the first time, minor variations in MUC1-7 distribution in the mucosa of two stomachs from patients with Menetrier's disease, when compared with a normal stomach. All stomachs stained positively for MUC4, 5AC and 6 and showed no or little staining with MUC2 and 3. Thus, Menetrier's disease is characterized by an excess quantity of mucus secretion, but differs little from normal stomachs with regards to the types of mucin produced. The mucins, MUC1-7, are found with variable distribution in different body tissues; MUC4, MUC5AC and MUC6 are typically found in gastric mucosa.