Somatostatin alleviates diversion colitis after fecal-stream bypass colostomy surgeries in rats

BACKGROUND

Diversion colitis (DC) is a prevalent complication of colostomy characterized by intestinal inflammation. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of somatostatin (SST) in managing DC.

METHODS

After establishing a rat DC model, SST was administered via Mini Osmotic Pumps 2001W at a pumping rate of 1.0 μL/h. Various techniques, including hematoxylin and eosin staining, periodic acid-Schiff staining, immunofluorescence staining, and electron microscopy were employed to assess the effects of SST. Intestinal barrier functions were evaluated using Evans blue, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and MacConkey agar.

RESULTS

After SST treatment, the significant weight loss and associated high mortality in the DC group were successfully mitigated. Upregulation of claudin-3 and claudin-4 restored mechanical barriers in colon epithelial tissue, whereas protection of goblet cells and stimulation of mucus secretion enhanced mucus barriers. SST effectively reduced leaky gut and alleviated systemic inflammation.

CONCLUSION

This study provides initial evidence supporting the efficacy of SST in the treatment of DC. It offers insights into the role of SST in DC by elucidating its ability to restore damaged intestinal barriers.

Complementary role of peripheral and central autonomic nervous system on insulin-like growth factor-1 activation to prevent fatty liver disease

BACKGROUND

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is involved in the pathology of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and ameliorates fatty infiltration in the liver. It is activated by growth hormone (GH); however, the role of GH-IGF-1 axis in NAFLD developmental phase has not been well identified. Therefore, in this study, we focused on the effect of IGF-1 in NAFLD pathology and GH excretion activation from the pituitary gland by peripheral autonomic neural pathways relaying liver-brain-gut pathway and by central neuropeptides.

METHODS

GH and IGF-1 levels were assessed in wild-type and melanocortin-4 receptor knockout mice upon the development of diet-induced NAFLD. The contribution of the peripheral autonomic nervous system connecting the liver-brain-gut axis was assessed by its blockade using capsaicin and that of the central nervous system was assessed by the expression of hypothalamic brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and corticotropin-releasing factor (CRH), which activates GH release from the pituitary gland.

RESULTS

In the NAFLD mouse models, the levels of GH and IGF-1 increased (p < .05). Further, hepatic fatty infiltration was suppressed even under peripheral autonomic nervous system blockade (p < .001), which inhibited gastric ghrelin expression. In mice with peripheral autonomic nervous blockade, hypothalamic BDNF and CRH were inhibited (p < .05), resulting in GH and IGF-1 excretion, whereas other neuropeptides of somatostatin and cortistatin showed no changes. These complementary effects were canceled in melanocortin-4 receptor knockout mice, which diminished BDNF and CRH release control.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrates that the release of IGF-1 by the nervous system is a key factor in maintaining the pathological homeostasis of NAFLD, suggesting its therapeutic potential.

The impact of acute and chronic resistance training on appetite and energy intake: A scoping review examining resistance exercise and comparisons with other exercise modalities

PURPOSE

The effects of exercise on appetite have recently been systematically evaluated with a focus on endurance training (ET). However, resistance training (RT) may induce different adaptations than ET. This scoping review aimed to examine the acute and chronic effects of isolated RT and comparisons with other exercise modalities on appetite-related variables and energy intake.

RESULTS

17 acute studies were identified, six examining isolated RT, while 11 focused on RT intensity, amount of exercise, targeted muscle groups, or comparison with ET and combined training (RT plus ET; CT). Nine chronic studies were identified. Three investigated isolated RT vs control and six manipulated the amount of RT exercise, types of RT, or comparison with ET and CT.

CONCLUSIONS

Acute RT compared to control conditions appears to induce responses favoring appetite inhibition. While the amount of RT exercise may acutely play a role in the suppression of appetite, while ET seems to have more potential to suppress appetite. Chronic RT does not seem to stimulate compensatory mechanisms; however, there is not clear evidence regarding the role of RT intensity or other exercise modalities. Chronic ET and CT may be more prone to favor appetite inhibition than RT. More comprehensive evaluations including the exploration of multiple appetite-related factors are needed for future studies.

[Effect of somatostatin on gastrointestinal hormone levels and clinical outcomes in critically ill infants after gastrointestinal surgery: a prospective randomized controlled study]

OBJECTIVES

To explore the effects of somatostatin on the levels of gastrointestinal hormones and clinical outcomes in critically ill infants after gastrointestinal surgery.

METHODS

Using a random number table method, critically ill infants after gastrointestinal surgery who were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of Xuzhou Children's Hospital from June 2019 to June 2021 were randomly divided into an observation group (29 cases) and a control group (30 cases). The control group received routine treatment such as anti-infection and hemostasis after surgery, while the observation group received somatostatin in addition to the routine treatment [3.5 μg/(kg·h) infusion for 7 days]. The levels of serum gastrin (GAS), motilin (MTL), insulin, and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) before surgery, on the 3rd day after surgery, and on the 7th day after surgery were compared between the two groups. The recovery progress and incidence of complications after surgery were also compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in the levels of serum GAS, MTL, insulin, and GLP-1 between the two groups before surgery (P>0.05). On the 3rd and 7th day after surgery, the levels of serum GAS, MTL, insulin, and GLP-1 in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). In the observation group, the levels of GAS, MTL, insulin, and GLP-1 on the 7th day after surgery were higher than those before surgery and on the 3rd day after surgery (P<0.05), and the levels on the 3rd day after surgery were higher than those before surgery (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the levels of serum GAS, MTL, and insulin before surgery, on the 3rd day after surgery, and on the 7th day after surgery in the control group (P>0.05). The level of GLP-1 on the 7th day after surgery was higher than that before surgery and on the 3rd day after surgery (P<0.05), and the level on the 3rd day after surgery was higher than that before surgery (P<0.05) in the control group. The observation group had shorter first time of anal exhaust, recovery time of bowel sounds, and first time of defecation after surgery compared to the control group (P<0.05). The incidence of complications after surgery in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (10% vs 33%, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Somatostatin can increase the levels of serum GAS, MTL, insulin, and GLP-1 in critically ill infants after gastrointestinal surgery, promote the recovery of gastrointestinal function, and reduce the incidence of postoperative complications.

Rikkunshito increases appetite by enhancing gastrointestinal and incretin hormone levels in patients who underwent pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy: A retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Rikkunshito (TJ-43) relieves gastrointestinal disturbance by increases in the levels of acylated ghrelin.

AIM

To investigate the effects of TJ-43 in patients undergoing pancreatic surgery.

METHODS

Forty-one patients undergoing pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (PpPD) were divided into two groups; patients took daily doses of TJ-43 after surgery or after postoperative day (POD) 21. The plasma levels of acylated and desacylated ghrelin, cholecystokinin (CCK), peptide YY (PYY), gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP), and active glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 were evaluated. Oral calorie intake was assessed at POD 21 in both groups. The primary endpoint of this study was the total food intake after PpPD.

RESULTS

The levels of acylated ghrelin were significantly greater in patients treated with TJ-43 than those in patients without TJ-43 administration at POD 21, and oral intake was significantly increased in patients treated with TJ-43. The CCK and PYY levels were significantly greater in patients treated with TJ-43 than those in patients without TJ-43 treatment. Furthermore, the GIP and active GLP-1 levels increased and values at POD 21 were significantly greater in patients treated with TJ-43 than those in patients without TJ-43 administration. Insulin secretion tended to increase in patients treated with TJ-43.

CONCLUSION

TJ-43 may have advantages for oral food intake in patients in the early phase after pancreatic surgery. Further investigation is needed to clarify the effects of TJ-43 on incretin hormones.

Change in Adipokines and Gastrointestinal Hormones After Bariatric Surgery: a Meta-analysis

PURPOSE

The study aimed to perform a meta-analysis about the change in adipokines and gastrointestinal hormones after bariatric surgery in patients with obesity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, and PubMed for related articles and used Review Manager 5.4 for data aggregation. Sensitivity and subgroup analysis were also conducted when feasible.

RESULTS

As a result, 95 articles involving 6232 patients were included in the meta-analysis. After bariatric surgery, the levels of leptin, ghrelin, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP), tumor necrosis, factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) reduced, while adiponectin, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), and peptide YY (PYY) levels increased significantly. Subgroup analysis indicated that there was a more significant reduction in leptin level with a longer follow-up time. OAGB had a greater effect on increasing adiponectin level compared with other procedures. SG procedure would bring about reduced ghrelin, while BPD resulted in increased ghrelin. Meta-regression analysis found that publication year, study design, number of patients, preoperative age, preoperative BMI, and quality assessment score were not significantly related to change in leptin, adiponectin, and ghrelin levels.

CONCLUSION

Bariatric surgery was associated with a significant decrease in leptin, ghrelin, CRP, IL-6, Hs-CRP, TNF-α, and IL-1β, as well as increase in adiponectin, GLP-1, and PYY levels.

Progress on traditional Chinese medicine in treatment of ischemic stroke via the gut-brain axis

Ischemic stroke is a common issue that severely affects the human health. Between the central nervous system and the enteric system, the " Gut-Brain " axis, the bidirectional connection involved in the neuro-immuno-endocrine network, is crucial for the occurrence and development of ischemic stroke. Ischemic stroke can lead to change in the gut microbiota and gastrointestinal hormones, which will then reversely affect the disease development. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has unique advantages with reference to the treatment for ischemic stroke. The latest research revealed that a significant portion of medicines and prescriptions of TCM exert their therapeutic effects by improving the gut microbiota and regulating the secretion of gastrointestinal hormones. The present review summarized the Chinese medicines that play a therapeutic role in cerebral ischemia through regulating the "Gut-Brain" axis and described the corresponding mechanisms. This study attempts to provide reference for clinical selection of Chinese medicines and helps better understand the relevant mechanisms of action.

Ghrelin stimulates intestinal adaptation following massive small bowel resection in parenterally fed rats

BACKGROUND

Since short bowel syndrome (SBS) patients face life-threatening conditions, the development of therapeutic strategies to induce intestinal adaptation has been investigated. Ghrelin, a ligand of growth hormone (GH) secretagogue-receptor that stimulates the release of GH and insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), has several pleiotropic effects. We investigated whether ghrelin induces intestinal adaptation in parenterally fed rats with SBS.

METHODS

Sprague-Dawley rats underwent venous catheterization and were divided into 3 groups: those receiving 90% small bowel resection while leaving the proximal jejunum and distal ileum (90% SBR) with TPN (SBS/TPN group), those receiving 90% SBR with TPN + ghrelin (SBS/TPN/ghrelin group), and those receiving sham operation and fed chow (sham group). Ghrelin was administered intravenously at 10 μg/kg/day. On Day 13, the rats were euthanized and the small intestine harvested, and the histology and crypt cell proliferation rates (CCPR), apoptosis, and nutrient transporter protein levels were analyzed and the plasma hormones were measured.

RESULTS

The villus height and crypt depth of the ileum in the SBS/TPN/ghrelin group were significantly higher than in the SBS/TPN group. The CCPR of the jejunum and the ileum significantly increased by the administration of ghrelin; however, the apoptosis rates did not significantly differ between the SBS/TPN and SBS/TPN/ghrelin groups. Significant differences did not exist in the plasma IGF-1 and nutrient transporter protein levels among three groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The intravenous administration of ghrelin stimulated the morphological intestinal adaptation of the ileum to a greater degree than the jejunum due to the direct effect of ghrelin.

Impact of octreotide combined with omeprazole on gastrointestinal hormones and intestinal mucosal barrier function in patients with acute pancreatitis

AIM

To evaluate the effect of octreotide combined with omeprazole on gastrointestinal hormones and intestinal mucosal barrier function in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP).

METHODS

One hundred and twenty-four patients with AP treated from July 2016 to June 2017 at People's Hospital of Guyuan were divided into an observation group and a control group. The control group was given omeprazole alone, and the observation group was given octreotide combined with omeprazole. Two weeks after treatment, the clinical efficacy, clinical symptoms, gastrointestinal hormones, intestinal mucosal barrier function, and adverse reactions were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

The effective rate was significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group [90.32% (59/62) vs 80.65% (50/62), χ² = 6.143, P < 0.05). Time to disappearance of fever, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, abdominal distension, abdominal tenderness, and other clinical symptoms and signs was significantly shorter in the observation group than in the control group (2.12 d ± 0.55 d vs 4.56 d ± 0.72 d, 1.75 d ± 0.42 d vs 4.34 d ± 0.70 d, 2.23 d ± 0.56 d vs 4.65 d ± 0.74 d, 2.54 d ± 0.60 d vs 4.12 d ± 0.76 d, 2.12 d ± 0.53 d vs 4.24 d ± 0.75 d; t = 21.205, 24.982, 20.533, 20.185, 18.177, P < 0.01). Serum MTL was significantly higher and serum GAS and VIP were significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group (318.36 pg/mL ± 30.24 pg/mL vs 256.45 pg/mL ± 34.23 pg/mL, 14.12 μmol/L ± 16.25 μmol/L vs 130.24 μmol/L ± 16.45 μmol/L, 58.12 pg/mL ± 7.25 pg/mL vs 64.36 pg/mL ± 8.12 pg/mL; t = 10.673, 5.489, 4.514, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Serum ET, DLA, DAO, and AMY were significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group (53.12 ng/L ± 7.25 ng/L vs 64.20 ng/L ± 7.36 ng/L, 4.45 μg/L ± 0.78 μg/L vs 6.42 μg/L ± 0.86 μg/L, 6.47 U/L ± 1.12 U/L vs 9.10 U/L ± 1.26 U/L, 124.36 U/L ± 24.35 U/L vs 160.21 U/L ± 26.54 U/L; t = 8.445, 13.360, 12.284, 7.818, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The rate of adverse reactions was significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group [8.06% (5/62) vs 24.19% (15/62), χ² = 5.962, P < 0.05].

CONCLUSION

Octreotide combined with omeprazole can improve clinical symptoms and clinical curative effect and reduce adverse reactions in patients with AP, which may be related to regulating gastrointestinal hormones and improving intestinal mucosal barrier function.

Shenfu injection combined with levosimendan for treatment of patients with chronic heart failure: Impact on gastrointestinal hormones and heart function

AIM

To evaluate the effect of Shenfu injection combined with levosimendan on gastrointestinal hormones and heart function in patients with chronic heart failure.

METHODS

One hundred and twenty-four patients with chronic heart failure treated from October 2015 to December 2016 were randomly divided into either an observation group or a control group. The control group was given leosimendan alone, and the observation group was given levosimendan plus Shenfu injection. Two weeks after therapy, gastrointestinal hormones, heart function, adverse reactions, and clinical efficacy were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

The effective rate was significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group (91.94% vs 79.03%, χ² = 4.159, P < 0.05). Serum gastrin and motilin levels were significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group (103.12 ng/mL ± 14.25 ng/mL vs 91.45 ng/mL ± 12.10 ng/mL, 305.62 ng/mL ± 41.21 ng/mL vs 262.12 ng/mL± 35.46 ng/mL, t = 4.915, 6.300, P < 0.05). Left ventricular end-diastolic volume and left ventricular end-systolic volume were significantly lower, and left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group (105.45 mL ± 13.12 mL vs 124.45 mL ± 16.21 mL, 46.25 mL ± 7.12 mL vs 57.14 mL ± 7.65 mL, 52.45% ± 7.12% vs 45.12% ± 7.45%, t = 7.174, 8.205, 5.601, P < 0.05). The rate of complications such as dizziness, low blood pressure, and sinus bradycardia was significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group (4.84% vs 16.13%, χ² = 4.211, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Shenfu injection combined with levosimendan can help improve heart function in patients with chronic heart failure, enhance the clinical curative effect, and reduce the adverse reactions, which may be related to regulating gastrointestinal hormones.

Endoscopic intervention combined with somatostatin for treatment of patients with severe acute pancreatitis: Impact on clinical symptoms and relative biochemical indexes

AIM

To evaluate the effect of endoscopic intervention combined with somatostatin on clinical symptoms and biochemical indexes in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).

METHODS

One hundred and forty-eight patients with SAP treated from January 2015 to June 2016 at the Jiaxing First Hospital were divided into either an observation group or a control group. Both groups were given conventional therapy. The control group was given somatostatin infusion therapy, and the observation group was given endoscopic intervention combined with somatostatin artery perfusion therapy. Clinical symptoms, serum inflammatory factors, gastrointestinal hormones, and complications were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

Times to remission of abdominal pain, high fever, and signs of peritoneal irritation were significantly shorter in the observation group than in the control group (t = 10.720, 8.226, 11.840, and 9.143, respectively; P < 0.05 or 0.01). Serum levels of interleukin-8, hypersensitive C-reactive protein, and tumor necrosis factor α were significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group (t = 17.509, 20.189, and 14.847, respectively; P < 0.01). Serum levels of vasoactive intestinal peptide and gastrin were significantly lower and that of motilin was significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group (t = 14.586, 11.374, and 7.126, respectively; P < 0.05 or 0.01). The incidence of pancreatic or surrounding tissue necrosis, pancreatic fistula, pancreatic abscess, and pancreatic pseudocyst was significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group (χ² = 7.306, 7.955, 8.976, and 5.049, respectively; P < 0.05 or 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Endoscopic intervention combined with somatostatin can help relieve the inflammatory response, modulate gastrointestinal function, improve the clinical symptoms, and reduce complications in patients with SAP.

Marzulene-S combined with standard triple therapy for treatment of children with Helicobacter pylori positive peptic ulcer: Efficacy and influence on serum pepsinogen and gastrointestinal hormones

AIM

To evaluate the efficacy of marzulene-S combined with standard triple therapy in the treatment of children with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) positive peptic ulcer (PU), and to observe the effect on serum pepsinogen (PG) and gastrointestinal hormones.

METHODS

A total of 144 children with H. pylori positive PU were randomly divided into either an observation group or a control group, with 72 cases in each group. Both groups were treated with standard triple therapy (omeprazole + clarithromycin + amoxicillin), and the observation group was additionally given marzulene-S. The clinical efficacy, eradication rate of H. pylori and adverse drug reaction rate were compared between the two groups. Serum levels of PG Ⅰ, PG Ⅱ, gastrin (GAS), and somatostatin (SS) were measured in all patients before and after treatment, and the results were compared with those of 30 healthy children who received physical examination at our hospital.

RESULTS

The total effective rate was significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group (97.22% vs 84.72%, P < 0.05). Compared with the healthy control group, serum levels of PG Ⅰ, PG Ⅱ, and SS were significantly higher, and that of SS was significantly lower in the two patient groups before treatment (P < 0.05). Serum levels of PG Ⅰ, PG Ⅱ, and SS significantly decreased, and that of SS significantly increased in the two patient groups after treatment compared with pretreatment levels (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, serum levels of PG Ⅰ, PG Ⅱ, and SS were significantly lower, and that of SS was significantly higher in the observation group after treatment (P < 0.05). The incidence of adverse drug reactions was 4.17% in the observation group and 6.94% in the control group, which showed no statistical difference (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Marzulene-S combined with standard triple therapy can regulate serum levels of PG and gastrointestinal hormones in children with H. pylori positive PU, improve the clinical curative effects, and has few adverse drug reactions.

Effects of early enteral micro-feeding on neonatal serum Vitamin D levels

Objective:

To evaluate the effects of early enteral micro-feeding on neonatal serum vitamin D levels, and to analyze the application value of glutamine.

Methods:

One hundred ninty neonates enrolled in intensive care unit were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group (n=95) that were both given enteral and parenteral nutrition support. Meanwhile, the treatment group was fed formula milk containing 0.3 g/(kg·d) glutamine as enteral nutrition support for 14 days.

Results:

The weight of the treatment group increased significantly faster than that of the control group did (P<0.05). The treatment group had significantly higher milk amount and calorie intake than those of the control group (P<0.05), and neonates in the treatment group who reached calorie intake of 50/80/100 kcal/kg/d were significantly younger (P<0.05). Meanwhile, the treatment group was significantly less prone to feeding intolerance than the control group (P<0.05). After 14 days of feeding, the serum motilin, gastrin and vitamin D levels of both groups all increased, with significant intra-group and inter-group differences. Such levels of the treatment group significantly exceeded those of the control group (P<0.05).

Conclusion:

Supplementing early enteral micro-feeding with glutamine promoted the absorption of neonatal routine nutrients and vitamin D, obviously regulated gastrointestinal hormones, and elevated weight as a result.

Role of gastrointestinal hormones in feeding behavior and obesity treatment

Food intake regulation is generally evaluated by many aspects consisting of complex mechanisms, including homeostatic regulatory mechanism, which is based on negative feedback, and hedonic regulatory mechanism, which is driven by a reward system. One important aspect of food intake regulation is the peripheral hormones that are secreted from the gastrointestinal tract. These hormones are secreted from enteroendocrine cells as feedback to nutrient and energy intake, and will communicate with the brain directly or via the vagus nerve. Gastrointestinal hormones are very crucial in maintaining a steady body weight, despite variations in nutrient intake and energy expenditure. In this review, we provide an overview of the regulation of feeding behavior by gut hormones, and its role in obesity treatments.

Changes in levels of GAS, CCK, and SS in serum and gastric tissue of spleen deficiency rats: Effect of traditional Chinese medicine intervention

AIM: To investigate the changes in levels of gastrin (GAS), cholecystokinin (CCK), somatostatin (SS) in serum and gastric tissue of spleen deficiency rats and the effect of traditional Chinese medicine intervention.

METHODS: Thirty-six SD rats were randomly divided into three groups by random number table method. Twelve rats were fed distilled water as a control group, and 24 rats were used to induce spleen deficiency (chronic restraint stress + excess fatigue + eating disorders). Twelve spleen deficiency rats were used as an observation group, and the other 12 spleen deficiency rats fed Sijunzi decoction for 7 d as a treatment group. Levels of GAS, CCK, and SS in serum and gastric tissue were detected by ELISA.

RESULTS: The levels of GAS, CCK, and SS in serum and GAS in gastric tissue were significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group, while CCK and SS in gastric tissue were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). GAS, CCK, and SS in serum and GAS in gastric tissue were significantly higher in the treatment group than in the observation group, while CCK and SS in gastric tissue were significantly lower than those in the observation group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Gastrointestinal hormones GAS, CCK, and SS in serum and gastric tissue of spleen deficiency rats show abnormal changes. Traditional Chinese medicine intervention can effectively correct abnormal fluctuations of GAS, CCK, and SS.

Relationship between interstitial cells of Cajal and irritable bowel syndrome

Interstitial cells of Cajal are the pacemaker of gastrointestinal tract, which can generate electrical signals, conduct slow waves and regulate neurotransmitters. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disease whose pathogenesis is very complicated, involving gastrointestinal motility disorders, visceral hypersensitivity, infection and abnormal secretion of gastrointestinal hormones. In recent years, it has been found that there are associations between interstitial cells of Cajal and gastrointestinal motility disorders, visceral hypersensitivity and abnormal secretion of gastrointestinal hormones. In this paper, we will review the recent progress in understanding the relationship between interstitial cells of Cajal and IBS.

Severe acute pancreatitis complicated with gastrointestinal dysfunction: Pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment

Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is often associated with gastrointestinal dysfunction, leading to gastrointestinal motility disorders and even gastrointestinal failure, which has an important effect on SAP progression and prognosis, directly influences the outcome of treatment, is an important cause of death in patients with SAP, and moreover, has been one of the important prognostic factors for SAP. This review aims to discuss the pathophysiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of SAP with gastrointestinal dysfunction.

Effect of explosive noise on gastrointestinal transit and plasma levels of polypeptide hormones

AIM: To investigate the effect of firing noise on gastrointestinal transit and probe its mechanism by measuring the levels of plasma polypeptide hormones.

METHODS: A total of 64 SD rats were randomly divided into a control group and three stimulating groups. Firing noise of different intensity by sub-machine guns was used as inflicting factor. The effect of firing noise on liquid substance gastrointestinal transit and solid substance gastrointestinal transit was observed by measuring the ratio of carbon powder suspension transmitting and barium sticks transmitting respectively. Plasma levels of polypeptide hormones were measured by radio-immunoassay.

RESULTS: The noise accelerated gastrointestinal transit of solid food by more than 80 db;and accelerated gastrointestinal transit of liquid food significantly by more than 120 db. Meantime, plasma levels of plasma motilin (MTL)(157.47±16.08; 151.90±17.08), somatostatin (SS)(513.97±88.77; 458.25±104.30), substance P (SP)(115.52±20.70; 110.28±19.96) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) (214.21±63.17; 251.76±97.24) remarkably changed also.

CONCLUSION: Within a certain intensity range, the firing noise changes the levels of rat plasma gastrointestinal hormones, but the gastrointestinal transit is still normal. Beyond the range, the noise induces plasma hormone levels disturbance and gastrointestinal transit disorder.

Influence of Xiexin decoction on gastric emptying and gastrointestinal hormones in rats

AIM: To observe the effect of Banxia (BX), Shengjiang (SJ) and Gancao (GC) Xiexin decoction on the gastric evacuation and secretion of gastrointestinal hormones.

METHODS: Sixty rats were randomly and averagely divided into control group, BX, SJ and GC group. The rats in BX, SJ, and GC group were treated with the decoctions of BX, SJ, and GC respectively [5.67, 7.42, 5.36 g/(kg•d)]. Gastric residue was observed in all the rats with a marker of dextran blue-2000 to determine the capacity of gastric emptying. The levels of gastrointestinal hormones, including vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), substance P (SP), somatostatin (SS), gastrin (GAS), and motilin (MTL), in rat blood were measured by radioimmunoassay.

RESULTS: In comparison with that in the normal controls (99.9% ± 32.2%), gastric residue decreased significantly in BX group (66.1% ± 21.1%, P = 0.014) and increased significantly in SJ group (141.8% ± 21.1%, P = 0.012), while it didn't change notably in GC group. The levels of VIP and SP were markedly lower in BX group than those in the normal controls (348.1 ± 102.5 ng/L vs 445.8 ± 101.9 ng/L, P = 0.032; 47.0 ± 15.2 ng/L vs 63.0 ± 14.7 ng/L, P = 0.011). The levels of SS was markedly higher in BX and SJ group than those in the controls (562.3 ± 149.7, 553.9 ± 98.9 ng/L vs 461.7 ± 77.0 ng/L, P = 0.014 and P = 0.023, respectively). The levels of GAS and MTL were obviously higher in SJ (70.7 ± 11.9 ng/L, P= 0.011; 205.0 ± 22.0 ng/L, P = 0.001) and GC group (79.7 ± 9.3 ng/L, P = 0.001; 205.1 ± 43.1 ng/L, P = 0.014) than those in the controls (56.0 ± 11.5 ng/L; 162.6 ± 19.5 ng/L).

CONCLUSION: Three decoctions have different effects on the gastric motility and secretion of gastrointestinal hormones.