Therapeutic effect of Streptococcus thermophilus CRL 1190-fermented milk on chronic gastritis

AIM: To investigate the potential therapeutic effect of exopolysaccharide (EPS)-producing Streptococcus thermophilus (S. thermophilus) CRL 1190 fermented milk on chronic gastritis in Balb/c mice.METHODS: Balb/c mice were fed with the fermented milk for 7 d after inducing gastritis with acetyl-salicylic acid (ASA, 400 mg/kg body weight per day for 10 d). Omeprazole was included in this study as a positive therapeutic control. The gastric inflammatory activity was evaluated from gastric histology and inflammation score, number of interleukin-10 (IL-10), interferon-γ (INFγ) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) cytokine-producing cells in the gastric mucosa, and thickness of the mucus layer.RESULTS: Animals receiving treatment with the EPS-producing S. thermophilus CRL 1190 fermented milk showed a conserved gastric mucosa structure similar to that of healthy animals. Inflammation scores of the fermented milk-treated mice were lower than those of mice in the gastritis group (0.2 ± 0.03 vs 2.0 ± 0.6, P < 0.05). A marked decrease in INFγ⁺ (15 ± 1.0 vs 28 ± 1.2, P < 0.05) and TNF-α⁺ (16 ± 3.0 vs 33 ± 3.0, P < 0.05) cells and an increase in IL-10⁺ (28 ± 1.5 vs 14 ± 1.3, P < 0.05) cells compared to the gastritis group, was observed. Also, an increase in the thickness of the mucus gel layer (2.2 ± 0.6 vs 1.0 ± 0.3; 5.1 ± 0.8 vs 1.5 ± 0.4 in the corpus and antrum mucosa, respectively, P < 0.05) compared with the gastritis group was noted. A milk suspension of the purified EPS from S. thermophilus CRL1190 was also effective as therapy for gastritis.CONCLUSION: This study suggests that fermented milk with S. thermophilus CRL 1190 and/or its EPS could be used in novel functional foods as an alternative natural therapy for chronic gastritis induced by ASA.     

Bile Reflux due to Disturbed Gastric Movement Is a Cause of Spontaneous Gastric Ulcer in W/Wv Mice

c-Kit is a receptor tyrosine kinase, and it isencoded by the mouse W locus. Mutant W/W^vmice develop spontaneous gastric antral ulcers. The aimof the present study was to investigate the pathogenesis of these gastric ulcers and to examine theeffects of two antiulcer drugs; a proton pump inhibitor(2{[4-(3-methoxypropoxy)-3-methylpyridine-2-yl]methyl-sulfinyl}-1H-benzimidazole sodium salt, rabeprazole) and a mucosal protective drug(geranylgeranylacetone, GGA), on the gastric ulcers. Theinhibition of the gastric acid secretion by rabeprazole(30 mg/kg body weight, subcutaneous injection once a dayfor six weeks) significantly increased the gastriculcer formation compared to the controls. In contrast,the GGA treatment (100 mg/kg body weight, oraladministration for six weeks) significantly inhibited the ulcer formation. Bile reflux was seen inthese mutant mice, and they showed no cyclic intensecontractions in the gastric antrum. These resultssuggest that bile reflux due to the disturbance ofgastric antral movement is a cause of the spontaneousgastric ulcers in W/W^v mice.     

In Vivo Gastric and Intestinal Slow Waves in W/W<Superscript>v</Superscript> Mice

The aim was to investigate whether there are regular gastric and intestinal slow waves in conscious W/W^v mice. Eleven W/W^v mice and 11 wild-type mice were implanted with two pairs of electrodes in the stomach and small intestine. Gastrointestinal slow waves were recorded both under anesthesia and in the conscious state. Atropine and verapamil were given separately to an additional 10 W/W^v mice. Results were as follows. (1) The conscious W/W^v mice showed lower rhythmic slow waves in the small intestine (77.1 vs 93.5%; P < 0.001). However, the frequency (10.7 vs 18.8 cpm; P < 0.0001) and the antregrade propagation of intestinal slow waves in W/W^v mice were significantly lower than in the controls. In the stomach, regular slow waves were recorded in both groups, with no difference between the two groups. (2) Anesthesia significantly impaired both gastric and intestinal slow waves in both groups. (3) Atropine and verapamil had no effects on the rhythmicity of intestinal slow waves. We conclude that ICC-MY may not be the sole pacemaker cells for slow waves in the small intestine.There may be some abnormality of smooth muscle cells in W/W^v mice that causes a reduction in the frequency, rhythmicity, and antegrade propagation of slow waves.Xiaohua Hou is a Visiting Scientist from the Division of Gastroenterology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.     

C/EBP homologous protein deficiency aggravates acute pancreatitis and associated lung injury

AIM:To investigate the pathophysiological role of C/EBP homologous protein(CHOP)in severe acute pancreatitis and associated lung injury.METHODS:A severe acute pancreatitis model was induced with 6 injections of cerulein(Cn,50μg/kg)at 1-h intervals,then intraperitoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide(LPS,7.5 mg/kg)in CHOP-deficient(Chop-/-)mice and wild-type(WT)mice.Animals were sacrificed under anesthesia,3 h or 18 h after LPS injection.Serum amylase,lipase,and cytokines[interleukin(IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α],pathological changes,acute lung injury,and apoptosis in the pancreas were evaluated.Serum amylase and lipase activities were detected using a medical automatic chemical analyzer.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits were used to evaluate TNF-αand IL-6 levels in mouse serum and lung tissue homogenates.Apoptotic cells in sections of pancreatic tissues were determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTPbiotin nick-end labeling(TUNEL)analysis.The mouse carotid arteries were cannulated and arterial blood samples were collected for PaO2analysis.The oxygenation index was expressed as PaO2/FiO2.RESULTS:Administration of Cn and LPS for 9 and 24 h induced severe acute pancreatitis in Chop-/-and WT mice.When comparing Chop-/-mice and WT mice,we observed that CHOP-deficient mice had greater increases in serum TNF-α(214.40±19.52 pg/mL vs 150.40±16.70 pg/mL;P=0.037),amylase(4236.40±646.32U/L vs 2535.30±81.83 U/L;P=0.041),lipase(1678.20±170.57 U/L vs 1046.21±35.37 U/L;P=0.008),and IL-6(2054.44±293.81 pg/mL vs 1316.10±108.74pg/mL;P=0.046)than WT mice.The histopathological changes in the pancreases and lungs,decreased PaO2/FiO2ratio,and increased TNF-αand IL-6 levels in the lungs were greater in Chop-/-mice than in WT mice(pancreas:Chop-/-vs WT mice,hemorrhage,P=0.005;edema,P=0.005;inflammatory cells infiltration,P=0.005;total scores,P=0.006;lung:hemorrhage,P=0.017;edema,P=0.017;congestion,P=0.017;neutrophil infiltration,P=0.005,total scores,P=0.001;PaO2/FiO2ratio:393±17.65 vs     

Roles of Interstitial Cells of Cajal in Intestinal Transit and Exogenous Electrical Pacing

The aims of this study were to investigate the role of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) on small intestinal transit and its responses to exogenous pacing in W/W^v mice. Eleven W/W^v mice and their controls implanted with four pairs of gastrointestinal electrodes were used for testing the entrainment of slow waves. Another 20 W/W^v mice and their controls equipped with a duodenal catheter and one pair of intestinal electrodes were used to test small intestinal transit represented by the geometric center (GC). Results were as follows. (1) The effect of pacing on slow wave frequency was sustained only in controls, and not in W/W^v mice. (2) Both gastric and intestinal slow waves were completely entrained in controls and W/W^v mice. Higher energy was required for pacing the stomach than the small intestine. (3) There was no significant difference in small intestinal transit between the controls and the W/W^v mice (GC: 5.4 vs. 5.5). (4) Pacing showed no effects on small intestinal transit in either wild-type (GC: 5.4 vs. 5.6) or W/W^v mice (GC: 5.5 vs. 5.7). We conclude that myenteric ICCs may not play an important role in the regulation of small intestinal transit in conscious mice. Gastric and intestinal pacing can be achieved without ICCs.     

Restoration of gut motility in Kit-deficient mice by bone marrow transplantation

Purpose  Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) play important roles in autonomic gut motility as electrical pacemakers and mediators of neural regulation of smooth muscle functions. Insufficiency of ICC has been reported in a wide range of gut dysmotilities. Thus, restoration of ICC may be a therapeutic modality in these diseases. Here we provide evidence that transplanted bone marrow (BM) cells can restore gut dysmotility in part via transdifferentiation to ICC. Methods  Bone marrow cells obtained from Kit insufficient W/W ^v mice or syngeneic GFP-transgenic mice with wild-type Kit were transferred to W/W ^v recipients. Whole gut transit time and gastric emptying were examined 5 and 6 weeks after BM transplantation, respectively, and ICCs were identified in whole mounts, frozen sections and transmission electron immunomicroscopy of the gut smooth muscle layers using specific antibodies. Results  Transplantation of wild-type BM into W/W ^v mice significantly improved whole gut transit time and gastric emptying. Fluorescent immunohistochemistry revealed GFP⁺Kit⁺ cells in the myenteric plexus, deep muscular plexus, and submucosal plexus smooth muscle layers of the stomach, small intestine, and colon, respectively. In the whole mounts, GFP⁺Kit⁺ cells were bipolar and spindle shaped, and transmission electron immunomicroscopy showed GFP⁺ cells rich in mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum between gut smooth muscle layers, suggesting the presence of GFP⁺ cells with morphological characteristics of ICC. Conclusions  These results suggest that BM contains cells that may incorporate into ICC networks and improve dysmotility in W/W ^v mice. Thus, BM transplantation may become to a new therapeutic modality for gut dysmotilities due to ICC insufficiency.     

Profiling cellular bioenergetics,glutathione levels,and caspase activities in stomach biopsies of patients with upper gastrointestinal symptoms

AIM: To measure biochemical parameters in stomach biopsies and test their suitability as diagnostic biomarkers for gastritis and precancerous lesions.METHODS: Biopsies were obtained from the stomachs of two groups of patients(n = 40) undergoing fiberoptic endoscopy due to upper gastrointestinal symptoms. In the first group(n = 17), only the corpus region was examined. Biopsies were processed for microscopic examination and measurement of mitochondrial O2 consumption(cellular respiration), cellular adenosine triphosphate(ATP), glutathione(GSH), and caspase activity. In the second group of patients(n = 23), both corpus and antral regions were studied. Some biopsies were processed for microscopic examination, while the others were used for measurements of cellular respiration and GSH level.RESULTS: Microscopic examinations of gastric corpus biopsies from 17 patients revealed normal mucosae in 8 patients, superficial gastritis in 7 patients, and chronic atrophic gastritis in 1 patient. In patients with normal histology, the rate(mean ± SD) of cellular respiration was 0.17 ± 0.02 μmol/L O2 min-1 mg-1, ATP content was 487 ± 493 pmol/mg, and GSH was 469 ± 98 pmol/mg. Caspase activity was detected in 3 out of 8 specimens. The values of ATP and caspase activity were highly variable. The presence of superficial gastritis had insignificant effects on the measured biomarkers. In the patient with atrophic gastritis, cellular respiration was high andATP was relatively low, suggesting uncoupling oxidative phosphorylation. In the second cohort of patients, the examined biopsies showed either normal or superficial gastritis. The rate of cellular respiration(O2. μmol/L min-1 mg-1) was slightly higher in the corpus than the antrum(0.18 ± 0.05 vs 0.15 ± 0.04, P = 0.019). The value of GSH was about the same in both tissues(310 ± 135 vs 322 ± 155, P = 0.692).CONCLUSION: The corpus mucosa was metabolically more active than the antrum tissue. The data in this study will help in understanding the pathophysiology of gastric mucosa.     

Effects of Linomide on growth and metastasis of implanted human gastric cancer in nude mice

ＥｆｅｃｔｓｏｆＬｉｎｏｍｉｄｅｏｎｇｒｏｗｔｈａｎｄｍｅｔａｓｔａｓｉｓｏｆｉｍｐｌａｎｔｅｄｈｕｍａｎｇａｓｔｒｉｃｃａｎｃｅｒｉｎｎｕｄｅｍｉｃｅＴＡＯＨｏｕＱｕａｎ，ＬＩＮＹａｎＺｈｅｎ，ＹＩＮＨａｏＲａｎ，ＧＵＱｉｎＬｏｎｇ，ＺＨＵ...     

Oxidative and nitrosative stress enzymes in relation to nitrotyrosine in Helicobacter pylori-infected humans

AIM: To compare a possible relation between Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) and the oxygen- and nitrogen radical system in humans. METHODS: Mechanisms for H. pylori to interfere with the oxygen and nitrogen radical system is of great importance for understanding of the H. pylori persistence and pathogenesis. Biopsies were obtained from the gastric wall of 21 individuals. Ongoing infection with H. pylori was detected using direct analyze from the biopsies using campylobacter-like organism test(CLO-test) and/or by using 14C-urea breath test. The individuals were divided in a negative H. pylori and a positive H. pylori group. Expression in the gastric mucosa of induc-ible nitric oxide syntase(iNOS), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-oxidase(NADPH-oxidase) myeloperoxidase(MPO), and nitrotyrosine were assessed by Western blotting.RESULTS: The individuals who undervent gastroscopy were divided in a H. pylori neg. [n = 13, m/f = 7/6, age(mean) = 39] and a H. pylori pos. group [n = 8, m/f = 5/3, age(mean) = 53]. Using western blot analysis iNOS was detected as a 130 kDa band. The iNOS expression was upregulated in the antrum of H. pylori infected individuals in comparison to the controls, mean ± SD being 12.6 ± 2.4 vs 8.3 ± 3.1, P 0.01. There was a markedly upregulated expression of MPO in the antrum of H. pylori infected individuals in comparison to the control group without infection. In several of noninfected controls it was not possible to detect any MPO expression at all, whereas the expression was high in all the infected subjects, mean ± SD being 5.1 ± 3.4 vs 2.1 ± 1.9, P 0.05. The NADPH-oxidase expression was analysed by detecting the NADPH-oxidase subunit p47-phox expression. P47-phox was detected as a 47 kDa band using Western blot, and showed a significantly higher expression of p47-phox in the antrum of the H. pylori infected individuals compared to the controls, mean ± SD being 3.1 ± 2.2 vs 0.3 ± 0.2, P 0.01. Regarding nitrotyrosine formation, Western blot did not show any significant increase or decrease compared to controls, 7.0 ± 0.9 vs 6.9 ± 1.1, not significant.CONCLUSION: iNOS, MPO and NADPH-oxidase was up-regulated among H. pylori infected. Regarding nitrotyrosine no difference was found. This support an H. pylori related inhibition of radical formation.     

Electrical bioimpedance gastric motility measurement based on an electrical-mechanical composite mechanism

AIM: To introduce a bioimpedance gastric motility measurement method based on an electrical-mechanical composite concept and a preliminary clinical application.METHODS: A noninvasive gastric motility measurement method combining electrogastrogram (EGG) and impedance gastric motility (IGM) test was used. Preliminary clinical application studies of patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) and gastritis, as well as healthy controls, were carried out. Twenty-eight FD patients (mean age 40.9 ± 9.7 years) and 40 healthy volunteers (mean age 30.9 ± 7.9 years) were involved. IGM spectrum was measured for both the healthy subjects and FD patients, and outcomes were compared in the FD patients before treatment and 1 wk and 3 wk after treatment. IGM parameters were obtained from 30 erosive gastritis patients (mean age 50.5 ± 13.0 years) and 40 healthy adults, and IGM and EGG results were compared in the gastritis patients before treatment and 1 wk after treatment.RESULTS: There were significant differences in the IGM parameters between the FD patients and healthy subjects, and FD patients had a poorer gastric motility [percentage of normal frequency (PNF) 70.8 ± 25.5 in healthy subjects and 28.3 ± 16.9 in FD patients, P < 0.01]. After 1 wk administration of domperidone 10 mg, tid, the gastric motility of FD patients was not improved, although the EGG of the patients had returned to normal. After 3 wk of treatment, the IGM rhythm of the FD patients became normal. There was a significant difference in IGM parameters between the two groups (PNF 70.4 ± 25.5 for healthy subjects and 36.1 ± 21.8 for gastritis patients, P < 0.05). The EGG rhythm of the gastritis patients returned to normal (frequency instability coefficient 2.22 ± 0.43 before treatment and 1.77 ± 0.19 one wk after treatment, P < 0.05) after 1 wk of treatment with sodium rabeprazole tablets, 10 mg, qd, po, qm, while some IGM parameters showed a tendency toward improvement but had not reached statistical significance.CONCLUSION: The electrical-mechanical composite measurement method showed an attractive clinical application prospect in gastric motility research and evaluation.     

Measuring of Gastric Emptying in Egyptian Pediatric Patients with Portal Hypertension by Using Real-time Ultrasound

Background/Aim:

Among the various methods for evaluating gastric emptying, the real-time ultrasound is safe, does not require intubation, or rely on either radiologic or radionuclide technique. The aim of our work was to measure the gastric emptying in pediatric patients with portal hypertension by using the real-time ultrasound.

Patients and Methods:

Forty patients with portal hypertension with mean age 7 ± 2.8 years and 20 healthy children as a control group underwent gastric emptying study by using real-time ultrasound. The cross-sectional area of the gastric antrum was measured in the fasting state and then each subject was allowed to drink tap water then calculated by using formula area (π longitudinal × anteroposterior diameter/4). The intragastric volume was assumed to be directly proportional to the cross-sectional area of the antrum.

Results:

The mean gastric emptying half-time volume was significantly delayed in portal hypertension patients (40 ± 6.8 min) compared with the control subjects (27.1 ± 3.6) min (P<0.05). Patients with extrahepatic portal vein obstruction had significant delayed gastric emptying in comparison to patients with portal hypertension due to other etiologies (36.14 ± 4.9 vs 44.41 ± 6.04 min; P<0.01).

Conclusion:

Ultrasound is a noninvasive and a reliable method for measuring gastric emptying in pediatric patients. Gastric emptying was significantly delayed in patients with portal hypertension. Etiology of portal hypertension may influence gastric emptying time in patients with chronic liver disease.     

Reconstitution by bone marrow grafting of the defective protective capacity at the migratory phase but not at the intestinal phase of Nippostrongylus brasiliensis infection in W/Wv mice

After a primary infection by subcutaneous inoculation with the infective larvae (L₃) of Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, the intestinal worm burden was higher and expulsion was slower in W/W^v mice than in ^+/+ mice. When the course of infection was segregated into the migratory and intestinal phases, protection during the migratory phase examined by the larval recovery from the lungs and that during the intestinal phase measured by worm burden after intraduodenal implantation with adult worms were both defective in W/W^v mice. The higher susceptibility of W/W^v mice during the migratory phase was normalized by bone marrow re constitution. On the other hand, higher susceptibility of W/W^v mice during the intestinal phase, which was measured by worm burden 24 h after intraduodenal implantation of the larvae recovered from the lungs of rats, was not normalized by bone marrow grafting. Furthermore, slower expulsion seen in W/W^v mice after intraduodenal implantation with adult worms was not hastened by bone marrow reconstitution. These results indicate that the protective mechanisms against N. brasiliensis operating during the migratory phase and those during the intestinal phase were different in terms of bone marrow dependency and that nonmyeloid cells utilizing c-kit ligand/receptor system to express their functions are involved in the rnucosal defence against N. brasiliensis.     

Weakness of whole muscles in mice deficient in Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase is not explained by defects at the level of the contractile apparatus

Mice deficient in Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase (Sod1^−/− mice) demonstrate elevated oxidative stress associated with rapid age-related declines in muscle mass and force. The decline in mass for muscles of Sod1^−/− mice is explained by a loss of muscle fibers, but the mechanism underlying the weakness is not clear. We hypothesized that the reduced maximum isometric force (F_o) normalized by cross-sectional area (specific F_o) for whole muscles of Sod1^−/− compared with wild-type (WT) mice is due to decreased specific F_o of individual fibers. Force generation was measured for permeabilized fibers from muscles of Sod1^−/− and WT mice at 8 and 20 months of age. WT mice were also studied at 28 months to determine whether any deficits observed for fibers from Sod1^−/− mice were similar to those observed in old WT mice. No effects of genotype were observed for F_o or specific F_o at either 8 or 20 months, and no age-associated decrease in specific F_o was observed for fibers from Sod1^−/− mice, whereas specific F_o for fibers of WT mice decreased by 20 % by 28 months. Oxidative stress has also been associated with decreased maximum velocity of shortening (V_max), and we found a 10 % lower V_max for fibers from Sod1^−/−compared with WT mice at 20 months. We conclude that the low specific F_o of muscles of Sod1^−/− mice is not explained by damage to contractile proteins. Moreover, the properties of fibers of Sod1^−/− mice do not recapitulate those observed with aging in WT animals.     

Effects of tetrandrine on gastric mucosa and liver in portal hypertensive rats

ＥｆｅｃｔｓｏｆｔｅｔｒａｎｄｒｉｎｅｏｎｇａｓｔｒｉｃｍｕｃｏｓａａｎｄｌｉｖｅｒｉｎｐｏｒｔａｌｈｙｐｅｒｔｅｎｓｉｖｅｒａｔｓＭＵＹｉ，ＳＨＥＮＹａｏＺｏｎｇａｎｄＣＨＵＹｉＦａｎｇＳｕｂｊｅｃｔｈｅａｄｉｎｇｓｌｉｖｅｒｇａｓｔｒｉｃｍ...     

Gastric antisecretory and antiulcer activity of bovine hemoglobin

AIM: To investigate gastric antisecretory and gastro- protective activity of bovine hemoglobin (B-Hb) in rats. METHODS: Adult Albino-Wistar rats were divided into groups of 6 animals each. B-Hb in doses of 100, 300 and 900 mg/kg body weight was tested for gastric acid secretion and antiulcer activity. Gastric secretions were measured 6 h after pylorus ligation in rats pretreated with B-Hb. The acidity was measured by titrating gastric contents against 0.01 mol/L NaOH to pH 7. Indomethacin ulcers were produced by oral administration of 30 mg/kg bw in the rats pretreated with B-Hb one hour before indomethacin. Six hours after indomethacin stomach removed and ulcer index was recorded. Ethanol ulcer were produced by 1 mL of ethanol in the rats pretreated with B-Hb 30 min before the ethanol.One hour after ethanol stomach were cut open to score ulcers. Histological examination and analysis of gastric wall mucus, non-protein sulfhydryl groups (NP-SH), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were carried in gastric tissue following ethanol administration. RESULTS: In control rats pylorus ligation for 6 h resulted in the accumulation of 8.1 ± 0.61 mL of gastric secretion. The treatment of the rats with 100, 300 and 900 mg/kg of B-Hb produced a significant decrease in the volume of gastric secretion 5.6 ± 0.63, 5.5 ± 0.75 and 4.7 ± 0.58 mL respectively as compared to the control group [analysis of variance (ANOVA) F = 4.77, P < 0.05]. The lesion area in the control group was found to be 22.4 ± 3.2 mm2 six hours after the administration of indomethacin. Treatment of rats with B-Hb at doses of 100 mg/kg (24.3 ± 3.29 mm2), 300 mg/kg (16.2 ± 1.45 mm2) and 900 mg/kg (12.6 ± 1.85 mm2) produced a dose dependent decreased the lesion scores (ANOVA F = 4.50, P < 0.05). The ulcer index following one hour after 1 mL ethanol was 7.1 ± 0.31. Pretreatment of rats with B-Hb at the doses of 100 mg/kg (2.5 ± 0.42), 300 mg/kg (2.1 ± 0.4) and 900 mg/kg (0.7 ± 0.21) significantly inhibited the formation of gastric lesions (ANOVA F = 63.26     

Effects of Dangshen on isolated gastric muscle strips in rats

ＥｆｅｃｔｓｏｆＤａｎｇｓｈｅｎｏｎｉｓｏｌａｔｅｄｇａｓｔｒｉｃｍｕｓｃｌｅｓｔｒｉｐｓｉｎｒａｔｓＺＨＥＮＧＴｉａｎＺｈｅｎ１,ＬＩＷｅｉ１,ＱＵＳｏｎｇＹｉ１,ＭＡＹｏｎｇＭｉｎｇ１,ＤＩＮＧＹｏｎｇＨｕｉ２ａｎｄＷＥＩＹｕＬｉｎｇ...     

XbaI polymorphisms of apolipoprotein B gene: Another risk factor of gallstone formation after radical gastrectomy

AIM: To prospectively investigate the association between the XbaI polymorphisms of apolipoprotein B (APOB) gene and gallstone formation following gastrectomy.METHODS: The study was conducted between January 2005 and December 2006. A total of 186 gastric cancer patients who had undergone radical gastrectomy were grouped according to XbaI polymorphisms of APOB gene (X⁺X^- group, n = 24 and X^-X^- group, n = 162) and compared. The XbaI polymorphisms of APOB gene were detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).RESULTS: The incidence of gallstone was significantly higher in the X⁺X^- group than in the X^-X^- group [54.2% vs 9.3%, RR = 5.85 (2.23-15.32), P < 0.001]. The serum levels of total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were higher in the X⁺X^- than in the X^-X^- group (4.02 ± 1.12 vs 3.48 ± 0.88, P = 0.004 before surgery and 3.88 ± 1.09 vs 3.40 ± 0.86, P = 0.008 after surgery). LDL was 2.21 ± 0.96 vs 1.89 ± 0.84 (P = 0.042) before surgery and 2.09 ± 0.95 vs 1.72 ± 0.85 (P = 0.029) after surgery in the two groups. No relationship was found between XbaI polymorphisms and gallbladder motility.CONCLUSION: In Chinese patients after radical gastrectomy, X⁺ allele of APOB gene is another risk factor for the development of gallstone besides the gallbladder motility disorder after surgery.     

Effects of metoclopramide on gastrointestinal myoelectric activity in rats

ＥｆｅｃｔｓｏｆｍｅｔｏｃｌｏｐｒａｍｉｄｅｏｎｇａｓｔｒｏｉｎｔｅｓｔｉｎａｌｍｙｏｅｌｅｃｔｒｉｃａｃｔｉｖｉｔｙｉｎｒａｔｓＱＩＮＸｉａｏＭｉｎ１，ＬＩＨｏｎｇＦａｎｇ１ａｎｄＷＡＮＧＬｏｎｇＤｅ２Ｓｕｂｊｅｃｔｈｅａｄｉｎｇｓｍｅｔｏ...