Role of Th22 cells in Helicobacter pylori-related gastritis and peptic ulcer diseases

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) has been shown to be one of the leading causes of peptic ulcer diseases (PUDs) and gastritis. T helper-22 (Th22) cells and its most important cytokine, interleukin-22 (IL-22) are importantly active in inflammation and inflammatory tissues. Since inflammation is one of the main attributes of infection caused by H. pylori and resulting complications (gastritis and gastrointestinal ulcer), this study was designed to evaluate the Th22 cells count and the IL-22 protein expression in people suffering from PUD and gastritis. The present study was conducted on 55 patients with gastritis, 47 patients with PUD and 48 uninfected subjects. After preparation of section and extraction of protein from antral biopsies, immunohistochemistry and western blot methods were used to evaluate the Th22 cells and IL-22 protein expression level, respectively. According to findings, the Th22 cells count and the IL-22 protein expression level in the infected subjects were siginficantly more than in the uninfected subjects. It should be noted that the Th22 cells count and the IL-22 protein expression level in the infected subjects with PUD were significantly greater than those in the infected subjects with gastritis. In addition, the Th22 cells count had positive correlation with the density of H. pylori, chronic inflammation score and acute inflammatory score in the infected subjects with PUD. The Th22 cells count had positive correlation with the Th17 cells count and inverse correlation with the Treg cells count in the infected subjects with PUD and gastritis. Our data demonstrated that abnormal hyper-activation of Th22 cells as well as its correlation with the Th17 cells during infection caused by H. pylori might damage tissues through immunopathological responses.

Comparison of medical comorbidity between patients with primary angle-closure glaucoma and a control cohort: a population-based study from Taiwan

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence and risk of systemic comorbidities in primary angle-closure glaucoma in Taiwan population.

METHODS

We included 3322 primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) subjects and randomly selected patients without PACG from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database and frequency matched four of them (n=13 288) to each PACG patient, based on age and sex. The univariable and multivariable unconditional logistic regression models were used to estimate the effect of comorbidities on the risk of PACG as indicated by the OR with 95% CI.

RESULTS

The mean age of the PACG group was 65.2±12.7 years, and 61.1% of the patients were female. The risk of PACG was greater for patients with the comorbidities of hyperlipidaemia (ORs: 1.11), headaches (ORs: 1.13), liver diseases (ORs: 1.14), peptic ulcers (ORs: 1.10) and cataract (ORs: 3.80). For the male group, diabetes (ORs: 1.19), liver diseases (ORs: 1.29) and cataract (ORs: 4.30) were significantly associated with increasing PACG risk. For the female group, hyperlipidaemia (ORs: 1.13), headaches (ORs: 1.15), peptic ulcers (ORs: 1.14) and cataract (ORs: 3.54) were significantly associated with increasing PACG risk. For the age group of 64 years and younger, patients with comorbidity of hyperlipidaemia (ORs: 1.20), peptic ulcers (ORs: 1.21) and cataract (ORs: 5.91) were significantly associated with increasing PACG risk. For the age group of 65 years and older, patients with cataract were significantly associated with increasing PACG risk (ORs: 5.07).

CONCLUSIONS

Clinicians should be aware of slightly increased PACG risk in the subjects with the medical comorbidities of hyperlipidaemia, headaches, liver diseases and peptic ulcers. However, cataract is the strongest risk factor of PACG.

Urinary incontinence is associated with the development of peptic ulcers in adult women: Data from the KNHANES IV

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between urinary incontinence (UI) and peptic ulcer (PU) and how this is related to psychological stress in Korean women by analyzing the data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey IV (KNHANES).A nationally representative sample of data on 7475 Korean women ≥19 years of age from the KNHANES 2008 to 2010 was included. Physician-diagnosed UI and PU were assessed using questionnaires and surveys. Psychological stress was assessed through a questionnaire using a 4-point Likert scale. Data were analyzed using logistic regression to determine the association between UI and PU according to the level of psychological stress perception.PU was found in 1.41% of the total population. Breaking this down by the existence of UI, PU was found in 3.5% of the population with UI, and 1.4% of the population without UI, which showed a significant difference. A statistically significant trend for increasing prevalence of UI and PU with increasing psychological stress perception levels was found among the study population. Multivariable logistic regression analyses for PU showed that UI was significantly associated with a higher probability of PU in an adjusted model, which means that members of the population with UI were more likely to have PU than those without UI. A higher level of psychological stress perception was also significantly associated with increased odds of PU in the adjusted model.UI could potentiate the development of PU through increasing levels of psychological stress perception.

[The causes of recurrent ulcerative gastroduodenal bleeding]

AIM

To explore microcirculatory changes within the first 48 hours after admission, to compare them with clinical manifestations of bleeding and to define the dependence of recurrent bleeding from the therapy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included 108 patients with ulcerative gastroduodenal bleeding who were treated at the Clinical Hospital #71 for the period 2012-2014. There were 80 (74.1%) men and 28 (25.9%) women. Age ranged 20-87 years (mean 54.4±16.8 years). Patients younger than 45 years were predominant (33.4%). J. Forrest classification (1974) was used in endoscopic characterization of bleeding. Roccal Prognostic Scale for gastroduodenal bleeding was applied in all patients at admission to assess the risk of possible recurrence. Patients were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 included 53 (49.1%) patients without recurrent bleeding; group 2-55 (50.1%) patients who had recurrent bleeding within the first two days of treatment.

RESULTS

Investigation of microcirculation showed the role of vegetative component including blood circulation centralization, blood flow slowing, blood cells redistribution providing sufficient blood oxygenation. By the end of the first day we observed pronounced hemodilution, decreased blood oxygenation, blood flow restructuring with its acceleration above 1 ml/s, violation of tissue oxygenation, signs of hypovolemia. These changes were significantly different from group 2 and associated with circulatory decentralization with possible pulmonary microcirculation disturbances and interstitial edema. This processes contribute to disruption of tissue oxygenation. We assume that recurrent bleeding in group 2 was caused by fluid therapy in larger volumes than it was necessary in this clinical situation.

CONCLUSION

Infusion therapy should be significantly reduced for the debut of gastroduodenal ulcerative bleeding. Sedative therapy is advisable to reduce the influence of central nervous system.

[ROLE OF VAGOINSULAR AND ENTERIC ENDOCRINE SYSTEMS IN ACUTE GASTRODUODENAL EROSION AND ULCERS FORMATION IN SEVERE COMBINED TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY DEPENDING ON THE COMBINATION OF DAMAGE]

347 patients were analyzed and role of vagoinsular and enteric endocrine systems in acute gastroduodenal erosion and ulcers formation in severe traumatic brain injury were assessed depending on the combination of TBI with various organs and systems damage. It was revealed that activation ofvagoinsular and enteric endocrine systems due to microcirculatory disorders and hypoxia associated with severe TBI plays a crucial role in increasing the frequency of manifestations of erosions and ulcers in gastroduodenal mucosa. Identification of these complications on the early stages may lead to more effective management of acute erosions and ulcers.

ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF EXPERIMENTAL ULCERATION STAGES IN RATS

Research objective - to conduct electrophysiological analysis for experimental ulceration stages in rats studying changes in the electrical activity (EA) frequency characteristics (FCH) (frequency response) of the stomach and duodenum.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was conducted in 5 experimental groups of outbred albino rats weighing 250-300 g with acetate stomach ulcerative injury (SUl). Using the method of direct multi-channel electrocardiography, we recorded the EA of gastric corpus (SB), its pyloric (PO) and the entry part of duodenum. We analyzed the frequency response of EA smooth muscles of stomach and duodenum during the period of seven days after the simulation SUI. The obtained by Shapiro-Wilk test data was distributed in accordance with statistically significant differences between samples - using the Student's t test. Correlation analysis was performed basing on the calculation of Pearson correlation coefficient.

RESULTS

The average value of the frequency EA and TJ PO increased on the second day of the experiment 55.7% (p <0.01) and 53.0% (p <0.01), respectively, were down on the fourth day and then increased from 5 to 7 day of the experiment by 87.6% (p <0.01) in TJ and 89.8% (p <0.01) in the PO. The frequency EA LDK increased on the seventh day of the experiment 32,4% (p <0.05). The frequency EA LDK increased on the seventh day of the experiment 32.4% (p <0.05). Frequency EA inter-correlation among all the components of the gastroduodenal complex (GC) were the closest on the fourth day after inflicting the stomach ulcerative injury.

CONCLUSION

Frequency EA changes in correlation of components GC can serve as functional markers its integral condition in the process of experimental ulceration.

Helicobacter pylori: a pathogenic threat to the gastric mucosal barrier

Peptic ulcer disease is a multi-factorial disorder of the gastrointestinal tract with a global prevalence affecting about 4.6 million people annually and having a mortality of one death per 10,000 cases. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) plays a profound role in the pathogenesis of chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, including gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue and carcinoma. Any compromise to the gastric mucosal barrier will greatly affect the integrity of the stomach. H. pylori is an organism which mediates a compromise of the gastric mucosal barrier by stimulating increased gastric acid secretion, causing alteration of certain immune factors, penetration of the mucosal layer and provoking persistent inflammation even without invading the mucus membrane. All the different lines of therapy have not shown maximal efficacy in the eradication/cure of the infection in patients. Consequently, alternative therapies including phytomedicines and probiotics have been introduced both in the quest for better eradication therapies and in addressing the problem of H. pylori relapse. In the light of the increasing antibiotic resistance associated with current therapies, the use of herbal preparations or its concomitant use with current therapy has the potential to contribute additive and synergistic effect in the eradication of the H. pylori infection. This review highlights the anti-H. pylori herbal preparations tested and in current use.

[Neurosis and genetic theory of etiology and pathogenesis of ulcer disease]

Based on the analysis of literature data and our own research, we have developed the original concept of etiology and pathogenesis of peptic ulcer disease. An analysis of the literature shows that none of the theories of pathogenesis of peptic ulcer disease does not cover the full diversity of the involved functions and their shifts, which lead to the development of ulcers in the stomach and the duodenum. Our neurogenic-genetic theory of etiology and pathogenesis of gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer very best explains the cause-and-effect relationships in the patient peptic ulcer, allowing options for predominance in one or the other case factors of neurosis or genetic factors. However, it is clear that the only other: combination of neurogenic factor with genetically modified reactivity of gastroduodenal system (the presence of the target organ) cause the chronicity of the sores. The theory of peptic ulcer disease related to psychosomatic pathologies allows us to develop effective schema therapy, including drugs with psychocorrective action. On the basis of our theory of the role of Helicobacter pylori infection is treated as a pathogenetic factor in the development of peptic ulcer disease.

[Combined pathology of the upper gastrointestinal tract in children: current trends]

The article presents the current views and controversial issues problems comorbidity upper gastrointestinal tract in children and adolescents (gastroesophageal reflux disease and gastroduodenal diseases). Analyzed their own long-term observations, depending on the type of disease, severity of motor disorders, endoscopic and morphological picture, infection Helicobacter pylori. The possible options for the formation of gastroesophageal reflux disease in children and adolescents with gastroduodenal diseases.

[Mucosal changes in the periulcer zone and endocrine system in patients with gastroduodenal ulcer, complicated by hemorrhage]

Examination of patients, suffering gastroduodenal ulcer, complicated by hemorrhage, was conducted, using clinical, microbiological, immunohistochemical methods and chromatomassspectrography. Enhanced activity of inducible NO-synthase, contamination of periulcer zone with microorganisms Klebsiella pneumoniae, Streptococcus beta-haemoliticus, enhancement of contents of catecholamines and serotonin in the blood serum were revealed. These changes are most expressed in severe blood loss, unstable local endoscopic hemostasis, high risk of a recurrent hemorrhage occurrence. The data obtained permit to prognosticate severity of a pathologic process course and to improve the treatment programe.

HANS SELYE 70 YEARS LATER: STEROIDS, STRESS ULCERS & H. PYLORI

Although Hans Selye is mostly known for his discovery & development of the stress concept, he also introduced the first physiologically sound, structure-activity classification of steroids that was also based on the chemical structure of steroids in 1943. He not only introduced the names of glucocorticoids & mineralocorticoids but discovered the anti- & pro-inflammatory properties, respectively, of these steroids in animal models. Furthermore, he not only described the first stress-induced gastric ulcers in rats (1936) & characterized the first human 'stress ulcers' during the air-raids in London during World War 11 (1943). Thus, Selye was a much more productive & creative scientist than it is generally considered.

Endoscopic application of EGF-chitosan hydrogel for precipitated healing of GI peptic ulcers and mucosectomy-induced ulcers

The gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy has become a standard diagnostic tool for GI ulcers and cancer. In this study we studied endoscopic application of epidermal growth factor-containing chitosan hydrogel (EGF-CS gel) for treatment of GI ulcer. We hypothesized that directional ulcer-coating using EGF-CS gel via endoscope would precipitate ulcer-healing. EGF-CS gel was directly introduced to the ulcer-region after ulceration in acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer (AAU) and mucosal resection-induced gastric ulcer (MRU) rabbit and pig models. The ulcer dimensions and mucosal thicknesses were estimated and compared with those in the control group. Healing efficacy was more closely evaluated by microscopic observation of the ulcer after histological assays. In the AAU model, the normalized ulcer size of the gel-treated group was 2.3 times smaller than that in the non-treated control group on day 3 after ulceration (P < 0.01). In the MRU model, the normalized ulcer size of the gel-treated group was 5.4 times smaller compared to that in the non-treated control group on day 1 after ulceration (P < 0.05). Histological analysis supported the ability of EGF-CS gel to heal ulcers. The present study suggests that EGF-CS gel is a promising candidate for treating gastric bleeding and ulcers.

[State of duodenal patency in patients with postgastrectomy syndromes]

It was analyzed the examination and treatment results of 100 patients who underwent resection of stomach by Billroth-I in case of peptic ulcer. Chronic disorders of duodenal patency were diagnosed in 86% of patients. The main role of chronic disorders of duodenal patency in postgastrectomy syndromes development was proved. There were a combination of reflux gastritis with dumping syndrome in 66.3% of patients, a combination of reflux gastritis with recurrent ulcer in 8.1% of patients. Correction of chronic disorders of duodenal patency is necessary stage in conservative and surgical treatment of postgastrectomy syndromes.

[Clinical-epidemiological aspects of gastric and duodenum ulcer]

An analysis of reporting and statistical data showed the considerable changes in clinical-epidemiological indices of gastric and duodenum ulcer at the period from 1998 to 2012. The prevalence of the disease and the number of primary patients decreased in 2-3 times. The reduction of the rate of perforations and ulcerous bleeding had been observed. However, the authors noted, that a tendency of frequency of occurrence increased and efficacy indices reduced in the last years. The rate of postoperative lethality raised in the cases of perforated ulcer. On this basis, the authors recommend to reconsider the existing opinion about further extension of out-patient treatment of patients with given pathology.

[Value of the calcium-regulating system in the development of microcirculatory and hemostatic disorders in recurrent peptic ulcer disease]

AIM

To elucidate the state and importance of the calcium-regulating system, calcium and phosphorus balances, their impact on ulcer activity, regional microcirculation, and hemostasis during recurrent peptic ulcer disease (PUD).

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Sixty patients with recurrent PUD were examined. They underwent determinations of blood parathyrin and calcitonin and blood and urinary calcium and phosphorus levels and studies of regional microcirculation in the gastroduodenal mucosa and systemic hemostatic parameters in addition to clinical and endoscopic examinations.

RESULTS

Recurrent PUD is accompanied by a significant blood parathyrin rise and some calcitonin increase and by calcium-phosphorus imbalance. Impaired calcium-regulating system functions attend significant microcirculatory disorders in the gastroduodenal mucosa and hemostatic changes characteristic of consumptive coagulopathy.

CONCLUSION

A clear relationship between calcium-regulating hormone impairments, calcium and phosphorus metabolism with ulcer activity and microcirculatory and hemostatic changes may suggest the found shifts in ulcerogenesis and the pathogenetic substantiation of correction of these disorders may be of importance for the treatment of a disease recurrence.

ABCB1 expression in peptic ulcer patients and its connection with H. pylori Infection

Glycoprotein P, encoded by the ABCB1 gene, plays an important role in gastric mucosa homeostasis and can influence the eradication therapy outcome in H. pylori-infected individuals. In the study we examined the ABCB1 expression level in 128 peptic ulcer patients by real-time PCR. There was no correlation between gene expression and the presence of H. pylori or the H. pylori infection intensity. The expression level did not differ between women and men. However, the levels were higher in patients who were over 54 years old than those who were aged up to 54 years old. As ABCB1 expression is largely determined by genetic polymorphisms, in the future, expression data will be related to the patients' ABCB1 genotypes.

[Influence of smoking on the effectiveness of peptic ulcer healing]

The article presents the results of the research which was focused on the influence of smoking on the healing of peptic ulcer of different locations. It has been proved that the smoker's factor of erosive and ulcerous disorders healing is 10% lower. The level of marker of mucoid secretion in non-dissolvable mucus in gastric content in H. pylori-positive peptic ulcer smokers is lower comparing to H. pylori-negative patients. It has been concluded that smoking is an additional factor which can affect the course of peptic ulcer disease.

[Principal characteristics of the endoscopic programmed hemostasis in ulcerative gastroduodenal bleedings in patients with high operational-anesthesiological risk]

Application of the endoscopic programmed hemostasis for patients with ulcer gastroduodenal bleedings and with high operational-anesthetic risk provided metabolic rehabilitation (5% solutions of glucose and ascorbic acid) for the purpose of prevention of recurrence of the bleedings which have arisen after a hemostasis at 5.5% of patients.

[Calcium and phosphorus balance and its significance for the course of recurrent peptic ulcer disease]

AIM

To evaluate calcium and phosphorus balances during recurrent peptic ulcer disease (PUD) and to estimate the impact of found changes on the course of an ulcerative process, secretory and motor functions in the stomach.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Sixty patients with recurrent PUD were examined. They underwent determinations of blood and urinary calcium and phosphorus levels and gastric secretory and motor functions in addition to clinical and endoscopic examinations.

RESULTS

Recurrent PUD was shown to be accompanied by significantly elevated blood calcium and substantially decreased blood phosphorus, insignificant hypercalciuria and hyperphosphaturia. These changes were attended by considerably increased acid- and pepsinogen-forming functions of the stomach, lower gastromucoprotein production, and gastric hypermotor dyskinesis. More pronounced shifts in calcium and phosphorus balance were revealed in the acute phase of a disease recurrence in young men with duodenal ulcers.

CONCLUSION

A clear relationship between calcium and phosphorus metabolic disturbances, ulcerative process activity, and gastric functional changes may point to the significance of found shifts in ulcerogenesis and to the pathogenetic substantiation of correction of these disorders in the treatment of a disease recurrence.

Quality of ulcer healing in gastrointestinal tract: Its pathophysiology and clinical relevance

In this paper, we review the concept of quality of ulcer healing (QOUH) in the gastrointestinal tract and its role in the ulcer recurrence. In the past, peptic ulcer disease (PUD) has been a chronic disease with a cycle of repeated healing/remission and recurrence. The main etiological factor of PUD is Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), which is also the cause of ulcer recurrence. However, H. pylori-negative ulcers are present in 12%-20% of patients; they also recur and are on occasion intractable. QOUH focuses on the fact that mucosal and submucosal structures within ulcer scars are incompletely regenerated. Within the scars of healed ulcers, regenerated tissue is immature and with distorted architecture, suggesting poor QOUH. The abnormalities in mucosal regeneration can be the basis for ulcer recurrence. Our studies have shown that persistence of macrophages in the regenerated area plays a key role in ulcer recurrence. Our studies in a rat model of ulcer recurrence have indicated that proinflammatory cytokines trigger activation of macrophages, which in turn produce increased amounts of cytokines and chemokines, which attract neutrophils to the regenerated area. Neutrophils release proteolytic enzymes that destroy the tissue, resulting in ulcer recurrence. Another important factor in poor QOUH can be deficiency of endogenous prostaglandins and a deficiency and/or an imbalance of endogenous growth factors. Topically active mucosal protective and antiulcer drugs promote high QOUH and reduce inflammatory cell infiltration in the ulcer scar. In addition to PUD, the concept of QOUH is likely applicable to inflammatory bowel diseases including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Tannins, peptic ulcers and related mechanisms

This review of the current literature aims to study correlations between the chemical structure and gastric anti-ulcer activity of tannins. Tannins are used in medicine primarily because of their astringent properties. These properties are due to the fact that tannins react with the tissue proteins with which they come into contact. In gastric ulcers, this tannin-protein complex layer protects the stomach by promoting greater resistance to chemical and mechanical injury or irritation. Moreover, in several experimental models of gastric ulcer, tannins have been shown to present antioxidant activity, promote tissue repair, exhibit anti Helicobacter pylori effects, and they are involved in gastrointestinal tract anti-inflammatory processes. The presence of tannins explains the anti-ulcer effects of many natural products.

[Modern aspects of the diagnosis and surgical treatment of perforations of chronic gastroduodenal ulcers]

Results of the complex diagnosis and surgical treatment of 180 patients with perforation of gastroduodenal ulcers were analyzed. It was shown that in pathogenesis of perforations of chronic gastroduodenal ulcers the leading place belonged to oxidizing stress. A pathogenetically grounded method of treatment of perforations of chronic gastroduodenal ulcers is an excision of the perforated ulcers in combination with vagotomy, but the method of treatment of perforations of "silent" ulcers is videolaparoscopic suture with endoscopic transgastgric chemical vagotomy.

[Ulcer disease: challenging problems of etiology, pathogenesis, differential treatment]

This review summarizes the data of Russian and foreign authors as well as the results of original studies on etiology pathogenesis, and differential treatment of ulcer disease (UD). The author's original concepts of UD pathogenesis and relations between man and Helicobacter pylori are discussed. The pathogenetic role of disturbances in the system of gastroduodental self-regulatory function and psychosomatic mechanisms as well as immune deficiency and impaired antioxidatve protection is considered. Peculiarities and results of UD eradication therapy intended to eliminate H. pylori infection are described. The importance of the choice of the UD treatment strategy on an individual basis is emphasized as opposed to the use of universal standards and therapeutic modalities influencing only local pathogenic factors, such as acidopeptic ones and H. pylori infection.

[Pathologic condition and prognosis of NSAids ulcer]

Recently, H. pylori infection rate has decreased and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs including aspirin) induced ulcers have increased more and more with aging in Japan. Pathological and clinical conditions of NSAIDs ulcer are different from that of H. pylori-related peptic ulcer. In other words, main pathologic condition of NSAIDs ulcer is not only gastric acid secretion but also destruction of defense mechanisms of upper gastrointestinal mucosa, because NSAIDs inhibit both cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 which block production of prostaglandins, consequently resulting in impairing gastroduodenal protective factors. Moreover, it is not rare that NSAIDs ulcer has serious complications such as bleeding and/or perforation. These should be paid attention in NSAIDs users in routine practice.

[Peptic ulcer disease in patients with diabetes mellitus]

Peptic ulcer disease and diabetes mellitus are the serious chronic diseases with many medicals and socioeconomic consequences. Although the changes leading to the mucosal vulnerability and prolonged healing of ulcers were many times demonstrated in experiment, the clinical data does not confirmed explicit association of those diseases. The patients with diabetes mellitus are threatened by complications of peptic ulcer disease (bleeding, perforation) above all. The Helicobacter pylori prevalence is in diabetics higher, the results of eradication of Helicobacter pylori are unsatisfactory.

[Pathogenesis, treatment, and prevention of erosive-ulcerative lesions in the mucous membrane of the upper digestive tract]

The authors present results of examination and treatment of 698 patients with erosive-ulcerative lesions in the mucous membrane of the upper digestive tract that accounted for 39.49% of all subjects with gastrointestinal hemorrhage. These lesions were diagnosed in 73.8% of the patients in critical conditions. The leading role in their pathogenesis is played by ischemic-perfusion syndrome, gastric acid hypersecretion resulting in microcirculatory disorders, hypoxia, and activation of free radicals in gastric and duodenal mucosa. It is concluded that preventive and conservative therapy of the above lesions must be focused on the correction of ischemia and after-effects of reperfusion to achieve long-standing hypoacidic state (pH < 4) with the help of up-to-date antisecretory agents.

[EHF-therapy in children the treatment with erosive and ulcerative lesions of the upper gastrointestinal tract]

The objective of the research is to show the efficacy of physiopuncture applied in patients with erosive ulcer damage of the upper gastro intestinal chambers.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

case and family histories of 198 patients at the age of 7-10 (15.6%) and 11-15 (78.9%) with chronic gastroduodenitis CEG (128) and ulcer UD (70) were studied. Ineffectiveness of previous medical therapy was established. Gastroduodenoscopy was conducted with the biopsy of antral stomach chamber mucosa coating. H. pylori was assessed using hystobacterioscopic Gimza method. Intraventricular pH measurements using REG, Gastroscan-24 and ultra sound were administered. The electrodermal resistance in the biologically active points (BAP) of meridians: stomach (e-36), pericardium (MC-6), triple (Tr-5), frontal medium (VS-12) was analyzed. The electrodermal resistance analysis in BAP showed the majority of BAP in patients with CEG and UD (98.4% and 100% respectively) was unprepared for the short wave frequency (SWF) therapy and required adjusting using SCANER. Eradicative triplex or quadric therapy based on intraatrium pH measurements and the following SWF therapy were administered to all patients. In 6-8 weeks all patients were discharged from the hospital with clinical endoscopic remission and normal pH ratio. The 1-1,5 year follow-up of 95 patients with CEG and 45 patients with UD showed clinical endoscopic remission, normal pH ration and H. pylori absence. The majority of BAP had normal electrodermal resistance indexes. SWF monotherapy was administered to children with morphological features of superficial gastritis. It is reasonable to administer SWF therapy during patients' rehabilitation to reduce drug load in long-term patients with CEG and UD.

[Calcium-phosphorus ratio in relapse of peptic ulcer disease]

AIM

To determine the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus in the period of peptic ulcer recurrence and to compare it with gastric secretion and motility.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

150 patients with peptic ulcer recurrence were examined. Apart from clinical and endoscopic examinations, the presence of calcium and phosphorus in blood and urine was detected, gastric secretion and motility were determined.

RESULTS

It was ascertained that recurrence of peptic ulcer was accompanied by essential increasing of calcium and decreasing phosphorus in blood, insignificant hypercalciuria and hyperphosphaturia. These changes were accompanied by considerable increasing of gastric secretional function, decreasing production of gastromucoproteids and gastric hypermotility. The more significant changes of calcium-phosphorus metabolism were determined in the acute phase of the recurrence in duodenal ulcers in young males.

CONCLUSION

The evident connection between the impairment of calcium and phosphorus metabolism, the activity of peptic ulcer and changes in the function of stomach can show the importance of these changes in pathogenesis of ulcer and the validity of therapeutic correction of these changes in case of the recurrence.

Crossword puzzles as a tool to enhance learning about anti-ulcer agents

OBJECTIVE

To design, implement, and evaluate the use of crossword puzzles as a low-stakes educational tool for enhancing learning about anti-ulcer agents.

DESIGN

Crossword puzzles were created using a free Internet resource and administered to students during 3 consecutive lectures covering the pharmacology and medicinal chemistry of anti-ulcer agents. Student perceptions of the crossword puzzle were examined using an 8-item survey instrument.

ASSESSMENT

Over 90% of students indicated that crossword puzzles enhanced their learning, oriented them to the important topics, and served as good reviews of the lecture material.

CONCLUSION

Students perceived that crossword puzzles enhanced their learning of anti-ulcer agents. Use of crossword puzzles provides a simple and creative way to incorporate active learning into pharmacy classroom instruction.

Gastric and esophagus events before and during treatment of osteoporosis

Prior studies have indicated an excess risk of gastroduodenal ulcers and esophagus perforations with the use of bisphosphonates. However, little is known about the contribution of comorbid conditions and concomitant drug use on this risk. We studied the risk of esophagus and gastric events in patients on a wide range of drugs against osteoporosis both before and after initiation of these drugs. We studied a nationwide register-based cohort from Denmark with all users of drugs against osteoporosis between 1996 and 2006 (n = 103,562) as cases and three age- and sex-matched controls from the general population (n = 310,683). In a crude analysis, most drugs were already associated with an increased risk of esophagitis, esophageal ulcerations, or esophageal perforations or gastroduodenal ulcers before initiation of the drugs. Upon adjustment, this excess risk disappeared for most drugs except parathyroid hormone and its analogues, etidronate and clodronate. Only for etidronate, alendronate, and raloxifene were sufficient data present for events after initiation of the drugs, and for these, an increased risk was present for all events except gastroduodenal ulcers with raloxifene. Several drugs against osteoporosis are associated with an increased risk of esophagitis, esophageal ulcers, esophageal perforation, and gastroduodenal ulcers. However, the increase was already present before initiation of the drug for several types of drugs against osteoporosis. This points at an effect of the underlying condition being treated or comorbid conditions and drugs being provided in patients with osteoporosis, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids.

[Functional status of the bile excretion system and upper gastrointestinal tract in patients with duodenal ulcer]

The research of functional condition of biliary tract in 35 patients suffered from gastroduodenal ulcers compared with 30 almost healthy patients was conducted. Disorders of motor function were found out in 13.2% patients in control group. The motor-evacuative function of biliary tract conformed to average scores of healthy patients group in only 8.6% cases. The accelerated gallbladder empting (11.4%), the hypermotoric biliary dyskinesia with the absence of latent period of biliary excretion (17.1%), the hypomotoric dysfunction of biliary tract (34.3%) were found out in the rest cases. The separate group of patients were patients with distortion of biliary excretion that was consisted in periodic increase and decrease of gall bladder volume during the contraction. We concluded that motor-evacuative function of biliary tract doesn't depend on the type of pathological process in the stomach or duodenum but correlates with gastric evacuation contents, the rate of cholagogic meal advancement along the duodenum and acid-productive function of the stomach.

Role of heat shock proteins in gastric inflammation and ulcer healing

With the discovery of gastric acid and pepsin in the stomach, the questions about "why does the stomach not digest itself?", "how does the stomach preserve its normal integrity under the continuous exposure to lytic materials that are secreted?", and "how does the stomach resist against overwhelming Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection or persistent nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) administration?" had been raised. The discovery of "gastric mucosal barrier" or "the presence of defense system" might be the answers to these questions. The first level of gastric mucosal barrier consists of the factors secreted into the lumen including bicarbonates, mucus, immunoglobulins, other antibacterial substances including lactoferrin, and surface active phospholipids. The second level of defense system is the gastric epithelia, which are remarkably resistant to acids or irritants and forms relatively tight barrier to passive diffusion. In addition, the epithelium is capable of undergoing extremely rapid repair and restitution if its continuity is disrupted. The third level of gastric mucosal barrier is the mucosal microcirculation in concert with sensory afferent nerves within the mucosa and submucosa. Back diffusion of acid or toxin into the mucosa results in neural system-mediated elevations of calcitonin gene related peptide, which contribute to enhancing mucosal blood flows that are very critical for limiting damage and facilitating repair. The fourth level of defense is the mucosal immune system, consisting of mast cells and macrophage, which orchestrate an appropriate inflammatory response to challenge. All the above factors are known to contribute to orchestrated artwork of "gastric mucosal protection". In recent years, heat shock proteins (HSPs) have been implicated to be an additional factor utilized for the gastric defense mechanisms at the intracellular level. Certain HSPs are expressed under non-stressful conditions and play an important role in the maintenance of normal cell integrity, but HSPs are generally considered to improve cellular recovery both by either refolding partially damaged functional proteins or increasing delivery of precursor proteins to important organelles such as mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum, through which HSPs might complete efficient mucosal defense mechanisms and achieve ulcer healing, mostly probably protecting key enzymes related to cytoprotection. In this review, role of each heat shock protein, HSP90, HSP70, HSP27, in gastric inflammation and gastric ulcer healing will be described with general roles of HSPs.

Clinical significance of pyloric aperture in the aetiology of peptic ulcer disease: a prospective study

Despite so much contributions reported in the literature, the aetiology of the duodenal ulcer remains an enigmatic subject to the medical profession. Findings of Helicobacter pylori seem to have overshadowed the real issue, in that, how a small area of the duodenal mucosa could be inflicted with the acid-pepsin injury has not been questioned? One hundred and sixty-eight consecutive patients, presented with epigastric pain were included in the endoscopic study. The aim of the study was to find out the prevalence and its clinical importance on the sizes of the pyloric aperture in the aetiology of peptic ulcer disease. Demographic data on the sizes of the pyloric aperture were divided into two groups, in that, those up to 3 mm in diameter were included in one and those over the size of 3 mm in another. Among the 168 cases, the gastric ulcer was found in 12 and duodenal ulcer in 27 patients. The sex ratio of men to women was 1.4:1 found in the former and 8:1 in the latter. Among other findings, a knuckle of duodenal mucoa was noticed prolapsing through the large pyloric aperture. It could be postulated that a knuckle of the mucosa that keeps peeping through the pylorus acts as a mucosal plug in empty stomach, like a cork in the acid bottle. The main physiological function is to protect the mucosa from being damaged by the acid-pepsin injury or by the reflux of bile, but the tip of the plug seems to be subjected to such injury. Furthermore, the surface epithelial cells could also be subjected to ischaemic change while prolapsing through the pylorus. This may lead to reduced production of the mucosal gel and bicarbonate secretion, thus exposing the damaged mucosa to acid bath. This supports the concept, how a small area of the stomach or duodenum could be inflicted with ulceration.

[Clinical manifestations of Helicobacter pylori-induced ulcer disease in elderly patients]

Clinical symptoms of ulcer disease in aged patients were found to depend on the degree of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) mucosal infection. Epigastralgia more frequently associated with grade III than grade I Hp infection (87.5 and 61.9% respectively, p < 0.05). In contrast, pain of a different localization largely occurred in patients with milder infection (28.6% vs 8.7%, p < 0.05). Hp infection aggravated the clinical course of ulcer disease in elderly patients. It is concluded that treatment for the eradication of Hp may improve the clinical picture of ulcer disease and thereby enhance quality of life in aged patients.

vacA genotypes of Helicobacter pylori in relation to cagA status and clinical outcomes in Iranian populations

Mosaicism in vacA alleles with two distinct families of vacA signal sequences (s1 and s2) and two distinct families of middle region alleles (m1 and m2) has been reported. Research suggests that the vacA s1 genotype is closely associated with duodenal ulcer disease and with high cytotoxin production. The aims of this study were to evaluate the role of vacA genotyping with respect to gastric inflammation and injury, and clinical presentation in Iranian populations. Genomic DNA of biopsy specimens from patients with gastritis, peptic ulcer disease (PUD), or gastric cancer (GC) were characterized based on ureC (glmM), cagA, and vacA genotyping by using polymerase chain reaction. Of 167 patients including 33 with PUDs, 129 with non-ulcer dyspepsia (NUD), and 5 with GC, 96 (57.5%) cases were infected by Helicobacter pylori. Among these patients, H. pylori were isolated from 19 (57.7%) PUD patients, 74 (68.7%) NUD patients, and 3 (60%) GC patients. The cagA was detected in 76% of H. pylori-positive cases. The vacA s1-m2 genotype was the most prevalent in 7/19 PUD (37%) and 30/74 NUD (40.5%) patients with H. pylori infection. The prevalence of vacA s2-m1 (8%) was high in Iranian isolates. A significant association was not found between H. pylori genotypes and clinical outcomes. The vacA genotypes and cagA status were not useful markers for gastroduodenal diseases in Tehran, Iran.

Electrogastrography in patients with Roux-en-Y reconstruction after previous Billroth gastrectomy

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The aim of this prospective study was to characterize gastric myoelectrical activity in patients with Roux-en-Y reconstruction after previous Billroth gastrectomy.

METHODOLOGY

Thirteen patients entered the study (6 men and 7 women, aged 35-57). The mean time from Roux-en-Y reconstruction to electrogastrography (EGG) recording was 5 years. Surface cutaneous EGG was recorded using a Digitrapper EGG in the morning both fasting and after a standard solid test meal. All patients assessed their dyspeptic symptoms at the time of EGG in a semi-quantitative subjective scale.

RESULTS

EGG was abnormal in all studied patients (but one postprandial recording). Dyspepsia was not meal-related and was not more severe in Helicobacter pylori positive patients. There was a significant negative correlation between time from Roux-en-Y reconstruction to EGG recording and bradygastria percent activity, both fasted and postprandial (r = -0.576; p = 0.0022). There was an inverse trend between severity of dyspepsia and normal slow-wave rhythm percent activity. Older patients tended to have more severe dyspepsia.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study suggest that abnormal EGG recording is associated with dyspepsia in patients after Roux-en-Y reconstruction.

Unanswered questions about Helicobacter pylori

There is general agreement that Helicobacter pylori eradication is indicated in all infected patients with duodenal ulcer disease and is probably indicated in all infected patients with gastric ulcer disease. However, translation of treatment recommendations into practice leads to some difficult clinical decisions. Three of the more perplexing questions are whether or not all patients with dyspepsia and H. pylori should be treated, whether or not a definitive diagnosis of ulcer should be established by an invasive method, and whether H. pylori eradication is sufficient to prevent recurrence of bleeding ulcers, especially in patient groups that have a high frequency of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use. Another common problem is the question of whether or not to establish the success of an eradication regimen in an individual patient and the choice of method to obtain this information. There is also an obvious need to develop better antimicrobial regimens aimed specifically at Helicobacter pylori. At the basic level, almost nothing is known about the mechanisms by which H. pylori produces peptic ulcer in 10-20% of infected patients while producing gastritis in all infected subjects. There is good evidence that host factors, including intrinsic rate of acid secretion, family history and smoking are independent additive risk factors for ulcer. Ingestion of NSAIDs appears to be an independent and separate risk factor. There is evidence that strains of H. pylori that lack certain genetic markers may have a reduced likelihood of causing ulcers, but the 'ulcer' marker is present in the majority of infected subjects without ulcer.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

No Helicobacter pylori, no Helicobacter pylori-associated peptic ulcer disease

Virtually all duodenal ulcers (DUs) and the vast majority of gastric ulcers (GUs) are the consequence of Helicobacter pylori-associated inflammation. In DUs, the inflammation is maximal in the antrum and is associated with gastric metaplasia in the bulb. Gastrin homeostasis is disturbed by H. pylori gastritis and there is robust acid secretion. Successful eradication of the infection cures the ulcer diathesis. Amalgamated figures for ulcer relapse per year in H. pylori-positive DUs are > 60% compared with 2.6% for H. pylori-negative DU patients. The corresponding figures for GU are > 50% for H. pylori-positive and 2.0% for H. pylori-negative individuals. This striking difference in relapse rate persists, as the re-infection rate in the developed world is < 1% per year. Recurrent bleeding in bleeding-prone DUs is essentially abolished after cure of the infection. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are increasingly used in eradication regimens. PPIs have intrinsic antimicrobial activity. MICs for lansoprazole (LAN) are lower than for omeprazole (OME). Two weeks of triple therapy (bismuth, tetracycline, imidazole) has, on average, a superior eradication efficacy (> or = 90%) compared with dual therapy (PPI, amoxycillin or clarithromycin) (> or = 80%). When a combination of PPI and two antibiotics has been used, results comparable to triple therapy have been reported. However, the side-effects profile and patient acceptability of PPI plus one or two antibiotic regimens are better than for traditional triple therapy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The role of acid in upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage due to ulcer and stress-related mucosal damage

A peptic ulcer is a lesion in which acid and pepsin are essential components of pathogenesis. Regardless of the type of patient or the setting in which the ulcer presents, the basic pathogenetic scheme is the same. The primary event is disruption of mucosal integrity. In the presence of acid and pepsin, such disruption of integrity leads to an ulcer. While rarely sufficient by itself to cause ulceration, the presence of acid is a necessary cofactor. The causes of disruption of mucosal integrity include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), Helicobacter pylori and critical illness. With the latter, tissue ischaemia may be the primary event, leading to back-diffusion of H+ ions through increased membrane permeability. Impaired mucosal buffering then leads to intramural acidosis and cell death. Risk factors for bleeding peptic ulcer in the intensive care unit (ICU) include severe trauma, sepsis, respiratory failure, and coagulopathy. Potential roles for decreasing gastric acidity in the treatment of bleeding peptic ulcer include cessation of active bleeding, prevention of rebleeding in hospital and primary prevention of bleeding. Most published studies dealing with the first two situations suggest no benefit with antisecretory therapy. However, the optimal pH for clot and platelet function may be > or = 7.0. Can such pH levels be maintained with antisecretory agents such as the proton pump inhibitors? Are the published trials adequate to demonstrate any benefit from antisecretory agents? Primary prevention of bleeding ulcer in the outpatient setting includes avoidance of NSAIDs, use of antisecretory agents and eradication of H. pylori.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The role of Helicobacter pylori in gastritis and its progression to peptic ulcer disease

Helicobacter pylori infection is now recognized as the major cause of chronic gastritis throughout the world. A fraction of infected persons develop peptic ulcer disease or gastric cancer, accounting for its clinical significance. The pathophysiology of this infection can be better understood by considering five central concepts--heterogeneity of strains, persistence of infection, immunological down-regulation, physiological consequences and variability in outcome. Microbial, host and environmental factors must each contribute to the outcome variation.

[Characteristics of coronary syndrome manifestation in patients with coexisting atherosclerosis and peptic ulcer]

In the article we discuss problem of the coexisting ulcers of stomach and duodenum in patients with atherosclerosis on the coronary syndrome, depending on the localization of the ulcer. We have been revealed that worsening of the peptic ulcer causes increasing of the ischemia episodes and intensity of the cardiac rhythm disorders. Localization of the ulcers in the stomach has significant influence on algesic ischemia and postprandial ischemia, duodenal localization increasing night ischemia. Localization of the ulcers in the stomach, especially in the upper third cause disorders of the cardiac rhythm.

[Clinical response to de-nol in peptic ulcer patients]

In treatment 60 patients with duodenal and stomach peptic ulcer in composition standard eradication therapy was used de-nol. Thus, along with the positive dynamics of clinical symptoms of disease, there is renewal of motor activity of stomach, improvement of microcirculation and renewal of protective properties of gastric mucus. There is a decline of frequency of relapses of disease from data of remote supervisions on a background high-quality reparation of ulcerous defect at the used of de-nol.