Serum levels and mesenteric fat tissue expression of adiponectin and leptin in patients with Crohn's disease

Crohn's disease (CD) is characterized by inflammation and an aetiology that is still unknown. Hypertrophy of mesenteric fat is a reflection of disease activity, as this fat covers the entire length of the affected area. Adipocytes synthesize leptin and adiponectin, adipocytokines responsible for pro- and anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, we evaluated serum levels of adiponectin and leptin, as well as mesenteral expression of adiponectin in active CD and those in remission. Sixteen patients with ileocaecal CD followed at the Outpatient Clinic, Coloproctology Unit of University of Campinas Clinical Hospital, participated in the study. Analysis of serum adiponectin and leptin by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed in patients with active CD (ACD group), remission CD (RCD group) and in six healthy controls. Ten patients with active ileocaecal CD (FCD group) and eight patients with non-inflammatory disease selected for surgery were also studied. The specimens were snap-frozen and the expression of adiponectin was determined by immunoblot of protein extracts. Serum C-reactive protein levels were higher in the ACD group when compared to the others and no difference of body mass index was observed between the groups. Serum adiponectin was lower in the ACD group when compared to control, but no differences were seen when comparing the ACD and RCD groups. Mesenteric adiponectin expression was lower in the FCD group when compared to the FC group. Serum leptin was similar in all groups. The lower levels of serum and mesenteric adiponectin in active CD suggest a defective regulation of anti-inflammatory pathways in CD pathogenesis.

Activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription-1 (STAT-1) and differential expression of interferon-gamma and anti-inflammatory proteins in pelvic ileal pouches for ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatous polyposis

Pouchitis after total rectocolectomy is the most common complication of ulcerative colitis (UC). The immunological mechanisms involved in the genesis of pouchitis are unclear. Therefore, we evaluated the inflammatory activity in normal ileal pouch mucosa by determining signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT-1) activation and cytokine expression in patients operated for UC and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Eighteen asymptomatic patients, who underwent total rectocolectomy and J pouch, were evaluated: nine with UC and nine with FAP. The activation of STAT-1 and cytokine expression were determined by immunoblot of total protein extracts from pouch mucosal biopsies. The absence of pouchitis was assessed by clinical, histological and endoscopic parameters, according to the Pouchitis Disease Activity Index. The patients were not receiving any medication. Analysis of variance (anova) and Tukey-Kramer's test were applied. The local ethical committee approved the study and informed consent was signed by all participants. STAT-1 activation was increased in UC when compared to FAP and controls (P < 0.05). Higher levels of interferon (IFN)-gamma expression were observed in UC patients when compared to the control group (P < 0.05), but were similar to FAP. In contrast, cytokine signalling (SOCS-3) and interleukin (IL)-10 expression were similar in all groups (P > 0.05). These findings could explain the higher susceptibility to this inflammatory complication in UC when compared to FAP. A tendency towards increased levels of IFN-gamma and STAT-1 in patients with UC, even without clinical and endoscopic evidence of pouchitis, was observed; studying inflammatory activity in asymptomatic ileal pouches may help understanding of the pathogenesis of pouchitis.

Differential expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and a pro-apoptotic protein in pelvic ileal pouches for ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatous polyposis

BACKGROUND

Pouchitis after total rectocolectomy is among the most common complications of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). However, its frequency is quite rare in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). We evaluated the inflammatory and pro-apoptotic activity in endoscopically normal mucosa of the ileal pouch in patients with UC and FAP.

METHODS

Twenty patients (10 with UC and 10 with FAP) with "J" pouch after total proctocolectomy were studied as were 10 normal controls. Biopsies were obtained from the mucosa of the pouch of UC and FAP patients and from the normal ileum of controls. The expression levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8 and phospho-BAD were determined by immunoblotting. Activated NFkappaB was evaluated by immuno-precipitation and immunoblotting for IkappaB kinase beta.

RESULTS

Patients with UC had higher levels of IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-alpha than patients with FAP. The level of TNF-alpha was higher in patients with UC than in patients with FAP; both patient groups had TNF-alpha levels higher than controls. Activation of NFkappaB was similar in all three groups. The expression of phospho-BAD was significantly lower in patients with FAP than in patients with UC.

CONCLUSIONS

As compared with patients with FAP, patients with UC presented increased levels of some pro-inflammatory cytokines, even in the absence of clinical or endoscopic signs of pouchitis. Patients with FAP presented lower levels of pro-inflammatory proteins and of phospho-BAD. These findings may explain the higher rates of progression to pouchitis in UC patients, which could correlate with mucosal atrophy that occurs in inflamed tissue.

Mucinous adenocarcinoma derived from chronic perianal fistulas: report of a case and review of the literature

Chronic perianal fistulas are a common clinical condition. However, their evolution into adenocarcinoma is rare. We report the case of a 68-year-old man with perineal and perianal chronic fistulas, who developed a perineal mass that extended proximally as a pararectal tumor. Diagnosis was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Histopathological sections indicated extramucosal mucinous adenocarcinoma. No intestinal lesion was seen at endoscopic examination. The patient underwent abdominal perineal excision of the rectum without neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy, and had a good postoperative outcome.

Comparative study of the hyperbaric hyperoxygenation in ischemic colonic loops in rats

PURPOSE: To analyze and to evaluate the effect of the hyperbaric hyperoxygenation in the mechanical resistance of ischemic colon of rats. METHODS: Eighty rats, distributed in four groups of 20 animals in each one, were used. In group 1 (G1), the control group, ischemia was not caused. Group 2 was submitted to the lesser degree of ischemia. Group 3 was submitted to the intermediate degree of ischemia. In group 4, a bigger degree of intestinal ischemia was provoked. Each group was divided in two sub-groups of ten animals each: with hyperbaric chamber (CC) and without hyperbaric chamber (SC). The animals of the four CC subgroups were placed in an experimental hyperbaric chamber in order to inhale oxygen at 100%, at two Absolute Atmospheres, for 120 minutes, for a four-day consecutive period. The animals of the four SC subgroups were kept in environment air during the five days of the experiment. All animals have been submitted to the mechanical study of the intestinal loop by the pressure test of the rupture by liquid distension. The euthanasia occurred in the fifth post-operative day. RESULTS: Considering the ischemia factor, the four groups were different among them (p=0.0001). There was no statistical difference between subgroups CC and SC (p=0.3461). CONCLUSION: The hyperbaric oxygen-therapy did not present improvement on the induced ischemia in rats upright colic loop.

Estudo comparativo da hiperoxigenação hiperbárica em alças cólicas isquêmicas em ratos

OBJETIVO: Analisar e avaliar os efeitos da hiperoxigenação hiperbárica na resistência mecânica do cólon isquêmico de ratos. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados 80 ratos distribuídos em quatro grupos de 20 animais. No grupo 1, grupo controle, não se provocou isquemia. O grupo 2 foi submetido ao grau menor de isquemia. O grupo 3 foi submetido ao grau intermediário de isquemia. No grupo 4, provocou-se grau maior de isquemia intestinal. Cada grupo foi dividido em dois subgrupos de dez animais cada: com câmara hiperbárica (CC) e sem câmara hiperbárica (SC). Os animais dos quatro subgrupos CC foram colocados em uma câmara hiperbárica experimental para inalarem oxigênio a 100%, a duas atmosferas absolutas, durante 120 minutos, por quatro dias consecutivos. Os animais dos quatro subgrupos SC foram mantidos somente em ar ambiente. Todos animais foram submetidos ao estudo mecânico da alça intestinal pelo teste de pressão de ruptura pela distensão por líquido. A eutanásia ocorreu no quinto dia pós-operatório. RESULTADOS: Os quatro grupos são diferentes entre si considerando o fator isquemia (p= 0,0001). Não houve diferença estatística entre os subgrupos CC e SC (p= 0,3461). CONCLUSÃO: A oxigenoterapia hiperbárica não apresentou melhora sobre a isquemia induzida em alça cólica íntegra de ratos.

Estudos biomecânicos da ação de aderências sobre anastomose cólica: trabalho experimental em ratos

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a ação de aderências sobre anastomose em cólon descendente de ratos por meio de análises biomecânicas. MÉTODOS: Noventa ratos foram distribuídos igualmente em três grupos. O Grupo 1 submeteu-se ao teste Pressão de Ruptura à Distensão por Líquido, enquanto que os Grupos 2 e 3, aos testes Força de Ruptura à Tração e Tensão Resultante Final de Ruptura à Tração, respectivamente. Cada grupo foi subdividido em 3 subgrupos contendo 10 animais. Um subgrupo foi analisado com as aderências deixadas intactas ao redor da anastomose; em outro, as aderências foram removidas, enquanto no último não se permitiu a fixação de aderências nas anastomoses por meio de proteção com película de polivinilcloreto (P.V.C.). RESULTADOS: A eutanásia ocorreu no quinto dia pós-operatório e os subgrupos com as aderências intactas nas anastomoses apresentaram maior resistência à ruptura em relação aos subgrupos com aderências removidas. Os subgrupos com ausência de aderências nas anastomoses apresentaram menor resistência à ruptura (Grupo1-p=0,0001, Grupo 2-p=0,0003 e Grupo3-p=0,0001). CONCLUSÃO: Aderências constituem influências benéficas sobre a anastomose, aumentando a sua resistência mecânica na fase inicial do reparo tecidual.