砷剂对NB4细胞凋亡过程的影响

目的 :探讨砷制剂诱导NB4 细胞凋亡的途径及调控因子。方法 :将NB4 细胞与不同浓度的As2 O3 共同孵育 ,在不同时间 ,用比色法检测NB4 细胞胞浆内Caspase 3、 6、 8的活性 ,并用流式细胞仪检测细胞内转录因子NF κB的表达 ,同时作细胞周期分析及DNA梯度鉴定As2 O3 的致凋亡作用。结果 :NB4 细胞在 1.0、2 .0 μmol/LAs2 O3 的诱导下 ,于 16～ 2 4h的时段内均有明显的凋亡现象 ;期间 ,Caspase 3, 6 , 8被活化 ,较对照组差异有显著性意义 (P <0 .0 5 ) ;不同的时间点Caspase家族成员激活顺序不同 ,这种时间上的差异有显著性意义 (P <0 .0 5 ) ;NF κB在 6～ 16h期间的对照组和加药组 (1.0 μmol/LAs2 O3 )均有表达 ,加药组较对照组明显减低 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,但无时间依从性。结论 :As2 O3 可抑制NF κB的表达 ,诱发凋亡 ;NB4 细胞通过Caspase途径凋亡 ,顺序可能为Caspase 8→Caspase 6→Caspase 3,其中 ,Caspase 6是活性较高的成员之一 ;As2 O3 作为NF κB的有效抑制剂 ,可能对多种肿瘤有潜在的治疗意义。     

Nimesulide诱导胃癌细胞凋亡的作用机制研究

目的　非甾体抗炎药诱导胃癌细胞凋亡的机制不清楚。通过研究选择性COX 2抑制剂Nimesulide对人胃癌细胞系SGC 790 1的COX 2mRNA表达和c myc、Bcl 2、caspase 3凋亡基因蛋白表达的影响 ,探索其诱导胃癌细胞凋亡的机制。方法　胃癌细胞的凋亡用电子显微镜、AnnexinV FITC染色、流式细胞仪技术测定。COX 2基因表达用RT PCR法测定。c myc、Bcl 2和caspase 3蛋白表达用免疫细胞化学技术测定。结果　Nimesulide在浓度为 50 μmol/L时作用 48、72h和浓度为 1 0 0和2 0 0 μmol/L 时作用 2 4、48、72h均可诱导胃癌细胞凋亡 ,凋亡率分别为 7.51 % ,9.86 % ;1 1 .58% ,1 2 .45 % ,1 6 .66 %和 1 2 .2 1 % ,1 5 .38% ,2 0 .2 8% ,呈浓度和时间依赖性。Nimesulide可降低COX 2mRNA表达和Bcl 2蛋白表达 ,增加c myc和caspase 3蛋白表达。 2 0 0 μmol/LNimesulide作用 72h ,Bcl 2 ,c myc和caspase 3蛋白表达阳性率分别为 (2 0 .2± 7.6) % ,(49.2± 1 5 .1 ) %和 (34 .6± 1 2 .9) % ,对照组为(44.6± 1 2 .1 ) % ,(2 4 .7± 9.5) %和 (1 4 .8± 6 .4) % ,三者对照比较 ,差异有显著性 (P <0 .0 1。)结论　Nimesulide可诱导胃癌细胞SGC 790 1凋亡 ,其机制涉及Bcl 2表达下调、c myc表达上调及caspase 3激活。     

核因子-κB活化抑制增强高三尖杉酯碱诱导白血病细胞凋亡

目的　研究地塞米松 (DXM)和长春新碱 (VCR)对高三尖杉酯碱 (HH)诱导白血病细胞凋亡与核因子 κB (NF κB)活化的影响。方法　采用TdT介导的dUTP缺口末端标记技术(TUNEL)、DNA电泳方法观察HH诱导K5 6 2 n细胞凋亡 ,采用电泳迁移率变动分析 (EMSA)观察HH诱导K5 6 2 n细胞NF κB活化。结果　用 (0 5、5、5 0 ) μmol/L的HH均能诱导K5 6 2 n细胞凋亡率分别为 (30 0 0± 3 34,4 7 13± 3 18,6 8 6 3± 8 14 ) % ,与对照组相比 ,有良好的浓度依赖关系 (P <0 0 5 ) ;DXM 1μmol/L和VCR 0 1μmol/L本身无诱导K5 6 2 n细胞凋亡的作用 ,但均能增强HH 0 5μmol/L诱导的K5 6 2 n细胞凋亡 ,凋亡增加率分别为 85 8%和 114 6 % (P值均 <0 0 5 )。K5 6 2 n细胞未经药物诱导NF κB也有轻度活化 ;HH 0 5 μmol/L可明显诱导K5 6 2 n细胞NF κB活化 ,DXM 1μmol/L和VCR 0 1μmol/L能显著抑制HH 0 5 μmol/L诱导的NF κB活化 ,抑制率分别为 32 0 %和39 4 % (P值均 <0 0 5 )。结论　HH诱导K5 6 2 n细胞凋亡的同时激活NF κB ;DXM和VCR可通过抑制NF κB活化 ,增强其诱导K5 6 2 n细胞凋亡的作用。     

三氧化二砷协同肿瘤坏死因子相关细胞凋亡诱导配体抗胃癌细胞的作用及其机制

目的研究三氧化二砷（As2O3）联合肿瘤坏死因子相关细胞凋亡诱导配体（TRAIL）对胃癌细胞生长和凋亡的影响及其机制。方法人胃腺癌细胞株SGC7901以As2O3、rsTRAIL及两者联用处理；用MTT法检测细胞生长；用双染色流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡；用间接免疫荧光染色结合流式细胞技术检测细胞表面TRAIL R1／DR4和TRAIL R2／DR5分子表达；RT—PCR方法检测TRAIL R1／DR4和TRAIL R2／DR5 mRNA表达。结果As2O3和rsTRAIL在单用或联用时均可以抑制胃癌细胞SGC7901生长，并在一定范围内呈时间、剂量依赖性；联合用药组抑制率显著高于单用As2O3或rsTRAIL组（P〈0．01），金正均方法分析提示两药联用有协同抑制细胞生长效应。As2O3和rsTRAIL在单用或联用时均可以诱导胃癌细胞SGC7901凋亡，联合用药组细胞凋亡率显著高于单用As2O3或rsTRAIL组（P〈0．01）。As2O3单独或联合rsTRAIL作用于SGC7901细胞24h后，死亡受体TRAIL R1／DR4和TRAIL R2／DR5在细胞表面的表达明显上调（P〈0．01），其mRNA表达水平亦相应增加（P〈0．01）。结论As2O3联合rsTRAIL可以协同抑制胃癌细胞SGC7901生长并显著增强两药诱导胃癌细胞凋亡的作用，其机制可能是As2O3增加细胞TRAIL R1／DR4和TRAIL R2／DR5 mRNA表达、上调细胞表面TRAIL死亡受体从而增加胃癌细胞SGC7901对rsTRAIL的敏感性。     

肿瘤坏死因子相关凋亡诱导配体诱导人胃癌耐药细胞凋亡的研究

肿瘤坏死因子相关凋亡诱导配体 (TRAIL)是最近发现的肿瘤坏死因子 (TNF)家族新成员 ,因其独特结构和作用特点 ,有可能成为临床上重要的抗肿瘤因子[1] 。许多研究证实 ,TRAIL可诱导许多恶性肿瘤细胞凋亡 ,包括血液系统恶性肿瘤细胞、乳腺癌等[2 ,3 ] 。我们在另一实验中已证实TRAIL能诱导胃癌细胞凋亡 ,现进一步研究TRAIL体外诱导胃癌耐药细胞的凋亡作用 ,为临床上解决胃癌多药耐药这一难题提供新的思路和方法。一、材料和方法1.材料 :SGC790 1 VCR胃癌耐药细胞引自第四军医大学西京医院消化病研究所 ,为SGC 790 1胃癌细胞经长…     

TRAIL体外诱导人肝星形细胞LX-2凋亡作用及调控机制

目的研究肿瘤坏死因子相关凋亡诱导配体（TRAIL）诱导肝星形细胞凋亡情况及调控机制。方法用RT-PCR检测LX-2中α-SMAmRNA和DR5mRNA的表达;MTT比色法、流式细胞术检测外源性TRAIL对LX-2细胞增殖和诱导细胞凋亡的影响;采用Westernblot检测Bax、Caspase3表达。结果培养的LX-2表达α-SMAmRNA和DR5mRNA逐渐增加,TRAIL可以抑制其细胞增殖,与剂量相关（P〈0.05）。与对照组比较,TRAIL诱导活化的LX-2细胞凋亡明显增加（P〈0.05）,Western blot分析显示TRAIL作用下,LX-2线粒体Bax、细胞质Caspase3表达上调。结论外源性TRAIL可以诱导活化的LX-2凋亡,其机制与DR5及线粒体Bax表达上调有关。     

紫杉醇对TRAIL诱导胃癌SGC7901细胞凋亡的影响

目的探讨紫杉醇对TRAIL诱导的胃癌SGC7901细胞凋亡的影响。方法采用MTT法测定细胞活力、采用流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡、Western blot检测蛋白表达。结果在胃癌SGC7901细胞中,100 ng/ml的TRAIL导致轻度的增殖抑制和细胞凋亡,TRAIL（100 ng/ml）联合紫杉醇（7.19μg/ml,24 h的IC50剂量）引起明显的细胞增殖抑制和诱导凋亡作用（P〈0.05）。TRAIL单药没有改变死亡受体5（DR5）的蛋白表达,而7.19μg/ml紫杉醇作用于胃癌SGC7901细胞后明显上调了DR5的蛋白表达。TRAIL和紫杉醇联合作用后,也有DR5蛋白的明显上调。结论紫杉醇通过上调DR5的蛋白表达增强了TRAIL诱导的胃癌SGC7901细胞凋亡。     

癌性锚蛋白重复序列在胃癌细胞凋亡中的作用

目的 探讨癌性锚蛋白重复序列(Gankyrin)在人胃癌细胞的表达,以及在尼美舒利诱导细胞凋亡过程中的改变.方法 培养不同分化程度的人胃癌细胞系[MKN28(高分化)、AGS(低分化)、MKN45(低分化)和SGC7901(中分化)],以尼美舒利处理细胞,应用四甲基偶氮唑盐试验和流式细胞术检测细胞活力及细胞凋亡,实时PCR和Western印迹法检测Gankyrin基因和蛋白表达.结果 在4种不同分化程度的人胃癌细胞系中,均存在不同水平的Gankyrin基因和蛋白表达.尼美舒利以时间-剂量依赖方式抑制AGS、FYGC7901细胞增殖.与对照组相比,尼美舒利400 μmol/L处理48 h可诱导AGS、SGC7901细胞显著凋亡(细胞凋亡率分别为0.57%±0.19%比23.30%±2.50%和0.88%±0.17%比16.80%±1.55%,P均<0.01).在AGS细胞凋亡过程中,Gankyrin基因和蛋白表达水平下降,以尼美舒利作用后24 h(0.0035±0.0014)和36 h(0.0980±0.0160)改变最为显著(对照组为0.4690±0.1190,P值均<0.01).结论 在人胃癌细胞中存在Gankyrin基因和蛋白表达.Gankyrin可能参与尼美舒利诱导的AGS胃癌细胞凋亡.     

吲哚美辛诱导胃癌细胞凋亡的机制研究

目的 :研究非甾体类抗炎药吲哚美辛诱导人胃癌细胞系SGC 790 1的凋亡作用及对COX 2mRNA表达及c myc、bcl 2、cas pase 3凋亡基因蛋白的表达 ,以探索其凋亡机制。方法 :胃癌细胞的凋亡用电子显微镜、AnnexinV FITC染色流式细胞仪技术测定。COX 2基因表达用RT PCR法测定。c myc、bcl 2和caspase 3蛋白表达用免疫细胞化学技术测定。结果 :吲哚美辛在浓度为 50 μmol/L时作用48、72h和浓度为 1 0 0和 2 0 0 μmol/L时作用 2 4、48、72h均可诱导胃癌细胞凋亡 ,凋亡率分别为 6 .48%、8.2 0 % ;9.1 4 %、1 2 .2 7%、1 5 .1 1 %和 9.95 %、1 4 .70 %、1 9.81 % ,呈浓度和时间依赖性。吲哚美辛可降低COX 2mRNA表达和bcl 2蛋白表达 ,增加c myc和caspase 3蛋白表达。 2 0 0 μmol/L吲哚美辛作用 72h ,bcl 2、c myc和caspase 3蛋白表达阳性率分别为 2 2 .8± 6 .5 %、42 .5± 1 3 .1 %和 31 8± 1 2 .7% ;对照组为 44 .6± 1 0 .1 %、2 4 .74± 9.5 %和 1 4 .8± 6 .4%。两者比较 ,差异有显著性 (P <0 .0 1 )。结论 :吲哚美辛可诱导胃癌细胞SGC 790 1凋亡 ,其机制涉及bcl 2表达下调、c myc表达上调及caspase 3激活。说明多基因调控参与其中     

脂质加氧酶抑制剂NDGA诱导胃癌细胞凋亡的研究

目的 评价5－脂质加氧酶（5－LOX）代谢途径在胃癌中的作用及5－LOX抑制剂对胃癌细胞凋亡的影响。方法 用LOX抑制剂－NDGA,处理表达5－LOX mRAN及蛋白的胃癌细胞系AGS和不表达相应物质的胃癌细胞系MKN28。MTT法检测细胞增殖情况。吖啶橙染色、DNA琼脂糖凝胶龟泳和流式细胞术观察细胞凋亡。结果 NDGA对AGS增殖的抑制及诱导其凋亡呈时间和剂量依赖性,而对MKN28细胞系无影响。5－LOX的代谢产物－LTD4可抑制NDGA诱导的细胞凋亡。结论 NDGA诱导AGS细胞系的调亡依赖于5－LOX的表达;选择性阻断5－LOX代谢途径原制剂可用于胃癌的化学阻断。     

胰岛素瘤的解剖分布特点分析

目的胰岛素瘤是最常见的胰腺神经内分泌肿瘤，因其临床表现多样，导致诊断困难。影像学诊断尤其是超声内镜(EUS)在胰岛素瘤的诊断中起着重要作用，拥有较高的敏感性和特异性。本研究拟通过明确胰岛素瘤的解剖分布特点，以期有助于提高影像学的诊断准确率和降低漏诊率，尤其是在教育和培训实践中对于EUS的学习者更具有指导价值。 方法回顾性分析解放军总医院第一医学中心病案资料数据库1993年1月至2019年11月经外科手术、病理确诊为胰岛素瘤的患者的临床资料，检索方法采取搜索术后病理诊断为"胰岛素瘤"的病例，通过查阅病例的方法，提取出胰岛素瘤的大小和解剖分布等数据，进一步分析其特点。 结果共检索到确诊为胰岛素瘤的患者116例，其中，男45例、女71例，年龄13～76岁，平均年龄(44.4±14.85)岁。胰岛素瘤单发110例(94.8%)、多发6例(5.2%)。位置分布：头颈部46例(39.7%)，单发45例、多发1例；体尾部68例(58.6%)，单发65例、多发3例；全胰腺多发2例(1.7%)。病变大小特点：最大径0.4～3.4 cm，平均大小(1.53±0.58)cm。≤1 cm 29例、>1 cm而≤1.5 cm41例、>1.5 cm而≤2.0 cm28例，≤3 cm 15例，>3 cm 3例。年龄与肿瘤的大小相关，≤44岁患者肿瘤平均大小为(1.36±0.51)cm、>44岁患者肿瘤平均大小为(1.70±0.60)cm，P<0.05。头颈部的肿瘤大于体尾部的肿瘤，头颈部肿瘤平均大小(1.66±0.63)cm，体尾部(1.42±0.52)cm，P<0.05。 结论胰岛素瘤在胰腺体尾部较头颈部更好发；绝大多数单发，但可以全胰腺多发；多数小于1.5 cm，肿瘤的大小与患者年龄和肿瘤的解剖分布相关。     

Pathogenesis of carcinoma of the papilla of Vater

Most adenomas and carcinomas of the small intestine and extrahepatic bile ducts arise in the region of the papilla of Vater. In familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) it is the main location for carcinomas after proctocolectomy. In many cases symptoms due to stenosis lead to diagnosis at an early tumor stage. In about 80%, curative intended resection is possible. Operability is the most relevant prognostic factor. Most ampullary carcinomas resp. carcinomas of the papilla of Vater develop from adenomatous or flat dysplastic precursor lesions. They can be sited in the ampulloduodenal part of the papilla of Vater, which is lined by intestinal mucosa. They also can develop in deeper parts of the ampulla, which are lined by pancreaticobiliary duct mucosa. Intestinal-type adenocarcinoma and pancreaticobiliary-type adenocarcinoma represent the main histological types of ampullary carcinoma. Furthermore, there exist unusual types and undifferentiated carcinomas. Many carcinomas of intestinal type express the immunohistochemical marker profile of intestinal mucosa (keratin 7?, keratin 20+, MUC2+). Carcinomas of pancreaticobiliary type usually show the immunohistochemical profile of pancreaticobiliary duct mucosa (keratin 7+, keratin 20?, MUC2?). Even poorly differentiated carcinomas, as well as unusual histological types, may conserve the marker profile of the mucosa they developed from. These findings underline the concept of histogenetically different carcinomas of the papilla of Vater which develop either from intestinal- or from pancreaticobiliary-type mucosa of the papilla of Vater. Molecular alterations in ampullary carcinomas are similar to those of colorectal as well as pancreatic carcinomas, although they appear at different frequencies. In future studies, molecular alterations in ampullary carcinomas should be correlated closely with the different histologic tumor types. Consequently, the histologic classification should reflect the histogenesis of ampullary tumors from the two different types of papillary mucosa.     

Demonstration of the mechanism of action of biguanides

Summary Palmitic acid oxidation in rat diaphragm homogenate is depressed by biguanide concentrations that are still incapable of inhibiting oxidative phosphorylation. Glucose oxidation is not directly effected by the same biguanide concentrations: however, the inhibitory effect of palmitic acid on glucose oxidation is partly removed by biguanides. Inhibition of fatty acid oxidation, which accounts for most of the metabolic effects caused by these drugs, can be regarded as the fundamental mechanism of action of biguanides. There is some evidence suggesting that these drugs might interact with carnitine, thus preventing long-chain fatty acids from being transported across the mitochondrial membrane to the site of oxidation. Traduzione a cura degli AA.     

Lack of correlation of degree of villous atrophy with severity of clinical presentation of coeliac disease

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Both the clinical presentation and the degree of mucosal damage in coeliac disease vary greatly. In view of conflicting information as to whether the mode of presentation correlates with the degree of villous atrophy, we reviewed a large cohort of patients with coeliac disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We correlated mode of presentation (classical, diarrhoea predominant or atypical/silent) with histology of duodenal biopsies and examined their trends over time. RESULTS: The cohort consisted of 499 adults, mean age 44.1 years, 68% females. The majority had silent coeliac disease (56%) and total villous atrophy (65%). There was no correlation of mode of presentation with the degree of villous atrophy (p=0.25). Sixty-eight percent of females and 58% of males had a severe villous atrophy (p=0.052). There was a significant trend over time for a greater proportion of patients presenting as atypical/silent coeliac disease and having partial villous atrophy, though the majority still had total villous atrophy. CONCLUSIONS: Among our patients the degree of villous atrophy in duodenal biopsies did not correlate with the mode of presentation, indicating that factors other than the degree of villous atrophy must account for diarrhoea in coeliac disease.     

血吸虫童虫生长发育及其机制的研究进展

血吸虫童虫是宿主免疫系统攻击的重要靶标,包括皮肤型、肺型和肝门型童虫。宿主分子对童虫生长发育具有重要作用。童虫生长发育机制包括免疫调节、信号转导、性别发育及凋亡等。肌动蛋白、组织蛋白酶、烯醇化酶和葡萄糖基转移酶等分子为血吸虫童虫生长发育的重要分子。本文对血吸虫童虫生长发育及其机制的研究进展做一综述。     

氯硝柳胺悬浮剂的毒性评价

目的评价氯硝柳胺悬浮剂的毒性，为现场大规模应用灭螺提供依据。方法按照中华人民共和国国家标准GB 15670-1995《农药登记毒理学试验方法》和鱼类毒性试验方法进行。结果经口、经皮肤的LDso雌、雄性大鼠均>5 000 mg/kg，经呼吸道的LCso雌、雄性大鼠均>5 000mg/m3，该药经口、经皮肤、经呼吸道毒性均属微毒类药物；兔眼用药后，观察期内无不良反应，对眼无刺激性；皮肤用药后对皮肤无刺激性。与氯硝柳胺原药、氯硝柳胺乙醇胺盐原药和氯硝柳胺乙醇胺盐可湿性粉剂相比，氯硝柳胺悬浮剂对鱼急性毒性最低。结论氯硝柳胺悬浮剂属微毒类药物，对鱼的毒性低于其乙醇胺盐可湿性粉剂，适合于现场应用。     

124例耐多药结核分枝杆菌基因突变特征分析

目的对临床分离的耐多药结核分枝杆菌相关基因的突变特征进行分析。方法对124例耐多药结核分枝杆菌以及50株敏感株的耐药相关基因(包括异烟肼inh A、kat G、oxyR-ahp C间隔区以及利福平rpo B)进行序列测定,分析其基因突变情况。结果异烟肼耐药inh A基因突变率为14.5%;kat G基因突变率为70.2%(87/124),主要位于315位;oxyR-ahp C间隔区突变率为15.3%;inh A、kat G两种基因同时突变率75.0%,三种基因同时突变率为89.5%。利福平rpo B基因突变的检出率高达95.2%,突变主要发生在531、526、516位点。结论我省耐多药菌异烟肼耐药相关基因最常见突变为kat G 315、inh A C-T(-15)、axyR-ahp C间隔区(-10)C-T,利福平为rpo B531、526、516。结合MDR-TB耐药相关基因的特征分析,可以建立一种快速、准确、特异的适合于我省的检测结核菌耐多药性的新方法。     

Assessment of quality of life of parents of children with juvenile chronic arthritis

The aim of the study was to assess the quality of life (QOL) and the psychological status of parents of children with juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA). The QOL, anxiety and depression of the parents of 28 children with JCA were evaluated and compared to those of the parents of 28 healthy children. Mothers of JCA children and mothers of healthy children reported similar QOL. The reported anxiety and depression levels were similar for mothers and fathers in both groups. The parents of children with pauciarticular-type JCA reported lower QOL and higher levels of anxiety and depression than the parents of children with other types, namely polyarticular and systemic JCA. These findings may be explained by the fact that the pauciarticular patients had shorter disease duration and were less frequently seen in the outpatient clinic. The QOL of mothers of children with JCA was found to be slightly impaired in the group of children with pauciarticular JCA. Future larger studies are needed to confirm these results, as the number of subjects in the three groups was rather low. Received: 26 September 2001 / Accepted: 8 February 2002     

Numerical Simulation of the Effect of Rate of Change of Glucose on Measurement Error of Continuous Glucose Monitors

Background

A 5-day in-patient study designed to assess the accuracy of the FreeStyle Navigator® Continuous Glucose Monitoring System revealed that the level of accuracy of the continuous sensor measurements was dependent on the rate of glucose change. When the absolute rate of change was less than 1 mg•dl⁻¹•min⁻¹ (75% of the time), the median absolute relative difference (ARD) was 8.5%, with 85% of all points falling within the A zone of the Clarke error grid. When the absolute rate of change was greater than 2 mg•dl⁻¹•min⁻¹ (8% of the time), the median ARD was 17.5%, with 59% of all points falling within the Clarke A zone.

Method

Numerical simulations were performed to investigate effects of the rate of change of glucose on sensor measurement error. This approach enabled physiologically relevant distributions of glucose values to be reordered to explore the effect of different glucose rate-of-change distributions on apparent sensor accuracy.

Results

The physiological lag between blood and interstitial fluid glucose levels is sufficient to account for the observed difference in sensor accuracy between periods of stable glucose and periods of rapidly changing glucose.

Conclusions

The role of physiological lag on the apparent decrease in sensor accuracy at high glucose rates of change has implications for clinical study design, regulatory review of continuous glucose sensors, and development of performance standards for this new technology. This work demonstrates the difficulty in comparing accuracy measures between different clinical studies and highlights the need for studies to include both relevant glucose distributions and relevant glucose rate-of-change distributions.     

Study of constancy of hydrogen-consuming flora of human colon

The constancy of the hydrogen consuming flora of the human colon was studied in 15 healthy subjects via two measurements obtained 18 to 36 months apart. Hydrogen disappearance rate and the major products of H₂-consuming bacteria, methane and sulfide, were measured during incubation of fecal homogenates with excess hydrogen and sulfate. In 11/15, the hydrogen consumption rate and the predominant hydrogen-consuming pathway (methanogenesis, sulfate reduction, or neither) remained constant. However, major shifts in these pathways were observed in four subjects, with two losing and two gaining the ability to produce methane. Methanogenesis was associated with the highest hydrogen consumption rate. This study demonstrates that clinically unrecognizable, major alterations of the colonic flora occur in healthy subjects. Understanding of the factors responsible for these alterations might allow for therapeutic manipulation of the colonic flora.Supported in part by the Department of Veterans Affairs and NIDDKD RO1 DK 13309-25.