Relevance of fecal calprotectin and lactoferrin in the post-operative management of inflammatory bowel diseases

Epigenomics and the Brain-gut Axis: Impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences and Therapeutic Challenges

The brain-gut axis represents a bidirectional communication network that integrates neural, hormonal, and immunological signaling between the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have increasingly been recognized for their profound impact on this axis, with implications for both mental and physical health outcomes. This mini-review explores the emerging field of epigenomics-specifically, how epigenetic modifications incurred by ACEs can influence the brain-gut axis and contribute to the pathophysiology of various disorders. We examine the evidence linking epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs to the modulation of gene expression involved in stress responses, neurodevelopment, and immune function-all of which intersect at the brain-gut axis. Additionally, we discuss the emerging potential of the gut microbiome as both a target and mediator of epigenetic changes, further influencing brain-gut communication in the context of ACEs. The methodological and therapeutic challenges posed by these insights are significant. The reversibility of epigenetic marks and the long-term consequences of early life stress require innovative and comprehensive approaches to intervention. This underscores the need for comprehensive strategies encompassing psychosocial, pharmacological, neuromodulation, and lifestyle interventions tailored to address ACEs' individualized and persistent effects. Future directions call for a multi-disciplinary approach and longitudinal studies to uncover the full extent of ACEs' impact on epigenetic regulation and the brain-gut axis, with the goal of developing targeted therapies to mitigate the long-lasting effects on health.

Assessment of the Inflammatory Effects of Gut Microbiota from Human Twins Discordant for Ulcerative Colitis on Germ-free Mice

Disturbances in gut microbiota are prevalent in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes ulcerative colitis (UC). However, whether these disturbances contribute to development of the disease or are a result of the disease is unclear. In pairs of human twins discordant for IBD, the healthy twin has a higher risk of developing IBD and a gut microbiota that is more similar to that of IBD patients as compared with healthy individuals. Furthermore, appropriate medical treatment may mitigate these disturbances. To study the correlation between microbiota and IBD, we transferred stool samples from a discordant human twin pair: one twin being healthy and the other receiving treatment for UC. The stool samples were transferred from the disease-discordant twins to germ-free pregnant dams. Colitis was induced in the offspring using dextran sodium sulfate. As compared with offspring born to mice dams inoculated with stool from the healthy cotwin, offspring born to dams inoculated with stool from the UC-afflicted twin had a lower disease activity index, less gut inflammation, and a microbiota characterized by higher α diversity and a more antiinflammatory profile that included the presence and higher abundance of antiinflammatory species such as Akkermansia spp., Bacteroides spp., and Parabacteroides spp. These findings suggest that the microbiota from the healthy twin may have had greater inflammatory properties than did that of the twin undergoing UC treatment.

Non-invasive Monitoring of Pouchitis After Total Proctocolectomy Using Fecal Calprotectin Levels

BACKGROUND

Fecal calprotectin (FC) is the most widely used marker for evaluating the disease activity of ulcerative colitis (UC). However, studies on FC in pouchitis after total proctocolectomy are scarce. We aimed to examine the correlations between the FC level and clinical findings and Pouchitis Disease Activity Index (PDAI) in UC patients who underwent total proctocolectomy (TP) with ileal pouch-anal canal anastomosis (IPAA) or ileal pouch-anal canal anastomosis (IACA).

METHODS

Between April 2008 and March 2018, 15 patients, consisting of 8 males and 7 females, with an average age at operation of 46.5 years, participated in this study. The average observation period was 68.3 months. The subjects underwent FC level measurements and endoscopic examinations.

RESULTS

The mean FC level was 418.69 μg/g (range: 10-1650 μg/g). Pouchitis was found in one (6.6%) patient, as detected by endoscopy. Among the 15 cases, FC levels were positively correlated with white blood cell count as well as albumin and C-reactive protein levels. There was a significant positive correlation between the PDAI score and FC levels (p<0.05). The median FC level was 111 mg/g in those with pouchitis, which was significantly higher than the 16 mg/g in those without pouchitis (p<0.05). Moreover, a significant positive correlation was found between the endoscopic findings of inflammation and FC levels (p<0.00005).

CONCLUSION

FC levels were correlated with the PDAI score, blood testing data, and endoscopic findings, suggesting that the FC level could be a useful index of postoperative pouchitis and ileal pouch condition in patients undergoing TP with IPAA as UC treatment.

Faecal Calprotectin from Ileostomy Output Is Sensitive and Specific for the Prediction of Small Bowel Inflammation in Patients with Crohn's Disease

BACKGROUND

Severe Crohn's disease [CD] can result in extensive bowel resections and need for creation of an ileostomy. Faecal calprotectin [FC] is well studied in CD management, though its role in patients who have an ileostomy is unclear. Our aim is to understand if FC is a useful adjunct to radiographic or endoscopic studies in identifying recurrent CD after surgery in patients with an ileostomy.

METHODS

Between January 1, 2017, and September 30, 2020, we searched the Mayo Clinic electronic medical record retrospectively for adult patients with ICD-10 code for CD, and a surgical history of an ileostomy. Patients were included in the analysis if they had at least one FC measured and a concomitant radiographic imaging and/or endoscopic procedure. An abnormal FC was defined as greater than 60 µg/g.

RESULTS

Of 51 patients who met our inclusion criteria, 17 had an FC level >60 µg/g. Of these 17 patients, 14 had imaging and/or an ileoscopy confirming the presence of small bowel inflammation, with a sensitivity of 87.5%. Of the remaining 34 patients with an FC level ≤60 µg/g, 32 patients had imaging and/or ileoscopy demonstrating no small bowel inflammation, with a specificity of 91.4%. FC from an ileostomy effluent had a positive predictive value of 82.3%, a negative predictive value of 94.1% and test diagnostic accuracy of 90.1%.

CONCLUSION

FC from an ileostomy effluent is a highly sensitive and specific test for the assessment and monitoring of small bowel inflammation and disease recurrence in patients with CD.

Appendiceal inflammation in colectomy is independently correlated with early pouchitis following ileal pouch anal anastomosis in ulcerative colitis and indeterminate colitis

BACKGROUND

Appendiceal inflammation in colectomy is one of the histologic predictors of pouchitis in ulcerative colitis (UC) following ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA). Fecal calprotectin level has been shown to increase 2 months prior to the onset of pouchitis. We evaluated whether inflammation and calprotectin expression in appendiceal specimens correlate with early-onset pouchitis in UC and indeterminate colitis (IC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

IPAA (2000-2018) cases with appendix blocks available in colectomy specimens were identified (n = 93, 90 UC, 3 IC). Histologic features thought to predict pouchitis were evaluated. The degree of appendiceal inflammation was scored. Calprotectin immunostain was performed on the appendix blocks and the extent of mucosal staining was quantified. Electronic medical records were reviewed for demographics, smoking history, clinical pouchitis, time of onset of pouchitis, and clinical and endoscopic components of the Pouchitis Disease Activity Index (PDAI) score. Follow-up pouch biopsies were reviewed and scored to generate histologic PDAI score, when available.

RESULTS

Among the patients with clinical pouchitis (n = 73), moderate to severe appendiceal inflammation independently correlated with earlier pouchitis compared to no/mild inflammation (median time to pouchitis 12.0 vs. 23.8, log rank p = 0.016). Calprotectin staining correlated with inflammatory scores of the appendix (Spearman's rho, r = 0.630, p < 0.001) but not with early pouchitis (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of moderate to severe appendiceal inflammation at the time of colectomy was associated with a shorter time to pouchitis following IPAA. Calprotectin immunostain may be used to demonstrate the presence of inflammation in the appendix but its role in predicting early pouchitis remains limited.

Fecal calprotectin: current and future perspectives for inflammatory bowel disease treatment

Fecal calprotectin has been widely studied in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) under clinical and therapeutic settings. It showed a good correlation with clinical, endoscopic, and histologic findings. For these reasons, fecal calprotectin is currently one of the most useful tools in IBD care, both in diagnosis and in clinical management. The development of biologic drugs allowed a deeper control of disease, which sometimes reaches histological healing; this is associated with a reduced risk of relapses and complications. The management of IBD treatment is currently carried out with a treat-to-target approach, and mucosal healing is considered at present to be the optimal therapeutic target, but the future is going through histologic remission. Fecal calprotectin is probably the best marker of mucosal healing, but it is correlated also with histologic remission: moreover, it has been recently studied as a possible therapeutic target in the CALM study. We carried out a comprehensive literature review in order to evaluate the role of fecal calprotectin at present and in the future in the management of IBD therapies.