Probiotic Supplementation and High-Intensity Interval Training Modify Anxiety-Like Behaviors and Corticosterone in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity Mice

Evidence supports the role of exercise training and probiotics on reducing obesity. Considering the relationship between obesity and high-fat diet with anxiety indices, the aim of this study was to assess the effect of probiotic supplementation and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on anxiety-like behaviors, corticosterone and obesity indices in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity mice. Thirty male adult C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into five groups: (1) Control with normal diet (CON), (2) High-fat diet (HFD), (3) HFD + exercise training (HT), (4) HFD + probiotics supplement (HP) and (5) HFD + exercise training +probiotics (HTP). Exercise training consisted of 8 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) programs. Probiotics supplement included 0.2 mL Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG. Anxiety-like behaviors were measured by open field (OF) and Elevated plus maze (EPM). OF and EPM tests, visceral fat mass (VFM) measurement, and blood sampling for corticosterone were performed after the intervention. Bodyweight was measured at different stages during the intervention. HFD regime in C57BL/6 mice increased bodyweight, VFM, and serum corticosterone levels and anxiety-like behaviors (p < 0.05). HIIT, probiotic and their combination, decreased bodyweight, VFM, and serum corticosterone levels and improved anxiety-like behavior in the HFD mice (p < 0.05). The effect of a combination of HIIT and probiotic on most of the anxiety indices was more than each one separately (p < 0.5). HIIT and probiotic supplements separately or above all in combination, may have beneficial effects in reducing obesity and anxiety indices.

Early diagnosis of adenocarcinoma developing in Barrett's esophagus

Fifty-eight patients had surgery for carcinoma of the esophagus at Scripps Clinic, La Jolla, Calif, from 1976 to 1986. Esophagectomy with reconstruction by colon interposition was done in 24 patients with adenocarcinoma arising in columnar-lined epithelium (Barrett's). In 5 patients, obstructive symptoms had not yet developed and the diagnosis was made by endoscopy performed for evaluation of gastroesophageal reflux. Dysphagia had just started in 12 additional patients and no weight loss had been noted. The operation was palliative in 14 patients and potentially curative in the other 10. Only 3 patients had negative lymph nodes. Ten patients were alive after 2 to 11 years. Encouraging results were indicated for surgical treatment of adenocarcinoma of the esophagus developing in Barrett's epithelium. A good outcome can be obtained with resection even in patients with lymph node metastases.

Local recurrence of adenocarcinoma of the rectosigmoid. Is postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy justified?

Adjuvant postoperative radiation therapy has been suggested for adenocarcinoma of the rectum and sigmoid colon to reduce the incidence of local recurrences. Determination of this incidence is necessary to optimally employ such adjuvant therapies. Ninety-nine patients with adenocarcinoma of the rectum or sigmoid who had surgery from 1976-1984 were reviewed. Follow-up ranged from one to eight years (average 4.1 years). Twenty-three patients had gross unresected residual tumor due to local invasion. Fifteen of the remaining 76 have developed recurrences (20 percent). Two patients (2.6 percent) had local recurrences without concurrent regional or distant metastases. Thus local recurrences rarely are encountered without concurrent regional or distant metastases. Therefore, postoperative radiation therapy to prevent local recurrences is not justified, given the small number of patients potentially benefited. Treatment modalities will need to address regional and distant metastases in addition to local recurrences.

Golytely lavage versus a standard colonoscopy preparation. Effect on normal colonic mucosal histology

We prospectively studied the changes of colonic mucosa in patients receiving two different preparations for colonoscopic examination. Eighteen consecutive patients undergoing colonoscopy for polyps or mass lesions, properly age- and sex-matched, were randomized to receive Golytely lavage (3-4 L) or a standard preparation (48-h clear liquid diet, 240 ml of magnesium citrate and "X-Prep" senna derivative). Patients with diarrhea or inflammatory bowel disease, or both, were excluded. Biopsy specimens were obtained from normal-appearing mucosa of the right and left side of the colon (none in the distal 10 cm of rectum). Blind review of coded slides was performed with 0-3 scoring for artifact, edema and hemorrhage of the lamina propria, surface epithelial and goblet cells, crypts, and cells in the lamina propria including eosinophils and polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Statistically significant differences were found for preservation of surface epithelial and goblet cells and less edema in favor of patients receiving Golytely. We conclude that the standard form of colon preparation flattens the surface epithelial cells and depletes the goblet cells as well as causes an increase in lamina propria edema, whereas colon lavage preserves normal mucosal histology.

Evolution of symptomatic diffuse esophageal spasm to achalasia

Two patients manifested an esophageal disorder which began as typical symptomatic diffuse esophageal spasm and evolved to achalasia. The evolution was evident by roentgenographic criteria in both cases and by manometric findings in one. The features displayed support the contention that these two forms of dysmotility are etiologically related.

Experimental chronic gastric ulcer due to ischemia in rats

Ligation of the left gastric and right gastroepiploic arteries and veins resulted in chronic gastric ulcer formation in the rat. Linear mucosal corpus hemorrhages appeared within 8 hr of ligation. By 2 days large corpus hemorrhagic erosions were present. A single, large ulcer involving nearly the entire corpus was present at 3-5 days. In the ulcerated area the mucosa and muscularis mucosae were destroyed, thick granulation tissue filled the submucosa and the muscularis propria was severely damaged. Progressive healing occurred thereafter and 75% of the ulcers healed completely grossly in 2-8 weeks. Histologic studies showed that healing and mucosal regeneration occurred by the outgrowth of a layer of cells from the adjacent intact epithelium extending over the surface of the ulcer. Invaginations from this covering layer of cells formed a glandular mucosa composed of mucous cells. Later parietal and chief cells appeared, and eventually (6 months) a normal corpus-type mucosa covered the entire corpus. With time smooth-muscle fibers appeared in the outer half of the dense submucosal granulation tissue and eventually a normal muscularis mucosae, submucosa, and muscularis propria were present (6-12 months). These studies show that: (1) ischemia can give rise to chronic gastric ulcer, and (2) all elements of the gastric wall, including the mucosa, the muscularis mucosae, and the muscularis propria can fully regenerate.