Management of Hyperglycemia During Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition Therapy

Hyperglycemia is a frequent complication of enteral and parenteral nutrition in hospitalized patients. Extensive evidence from observational studies indicates that the development of hyperglycemia during parenteral and enteral nutrition is associated with an increased risk of death and infectious complications. There are no specific guidelines recommending glycemic targets and effective strategies for the management of hyperglycemia during specialized nutritional support. Managing hyperglycemia in these patients should include optimization of carbohydrate content and administration of intravenous or subcutaneous insulin therapy. The administration of continuous insulin infusion and insulin addition to nutrition bag are efficient approaches to control hyperglycemia during parenteral nutrition. Subcutaneous administration of long-acting insulin with scheduled or corrective doses of short-acting insulin is superior to the sliding scale insulin strategy in patients receiving enteral feedings. Randomized controlled studies are needed to evaluate safe and effective therapeutic strategies for the management of hyperglycemia in patients receiving nutritional support.     

Intravenous Tobramycin and Metronidazole as an Adjunct to Corticosteroids in Acute, Severe Ulcerative Colitis

Objectives : The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of metronidazole and tobramycin as an adjunct to corticosteroids in acute, severe ulcerative colitis. Methods : Thirty-nine consecutive patients with severe ulcerative colitis were randomized on admission to the hospital to receive intravenously either metronidazole (O.5g tid ) and tobramycin (4 mg/kg tid ) (n = 19), or placebo (n = 20). In addition, they were given parenteral nutrition, intravenous hydrocortisone (100 mg qid ) and hy-drocortisone enemas (100 mg bid). All patients were assessed after 10 days of continuous treatment, or at any time a severe complication occurred. Results : Twelve of 19 patients (63.15%) treated with antibiotics and 13/20 patients (65%) with placebo showed substantial improvement. Seven patients in each group did not improve (n = 9), or developed complications (n = 5) and underwent emergency colectomy without perioper-ative deaths or late deaths. Conclusions : These results do not support the routine use of intravenous tobramycin and metronidazole in the treatment of severe ulcerative colitis.     

A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial of Intravenous Ciprofloxacin as an Adjunct to Corticosteroids in Acute,Severe Ulcerative Colitis

Background: The role of antibiotics in the treatment of ulcerative colitis is controversial. This study aims at assessing the therapeutic role of ciprofloxacin as an adjunct to corticosteroids in acute severe ulcerative colitis. Methods: In this prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 55 consecutive patients fulfilling the criteria of Truelove and Witts for severe ulcerative colitis were randomized on admission to the hospital to receive intravenously ciprofloxacin (400 mg b.i.d.) (n = 29) or placebo (n = 27). All patients received parenteral nutrition, intravenous hydrocortisone (100 mg q.i.d.) and hydrocortisone enemas (100 mg b.i.d.). Patients were assessed after 10 days of continuous treatment, or at any time a severe complication occurred. Results: At study entry, there were no significant differences between treatment groups in any patient or disease-related parameter. Twenty-three of 29 patients (79.3%) treated with ciprofloxacin and 20 of 26 patients (77%) treated with placebo showed substantial improvement and were given oral steroids (P > 0.1). Six patients in each group did not improve (n = 10) or developed complications (n = 2). Nine of these 12 patients underwent emergency colectomy; three patients consented to receive intravenous cyclosporin but did not achieve remission of colitis and they underwent elective colectomy. There were no perioperative or late deaths. Conclusions: A short course of intravenous ciprofloxacin does not seem to augment the effect of corticosteroids for patients with acute, severe ulcerative colitis.     

Acute Severe Ulcerative Colitis: Optimal Strategies for Drug Therapy

Acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC) is a life-threatening medical emergency with considerable morbidity (30% to 40%). Patients with ASUC require hospitalization for prompt medical treatment, and colectomy is considered if medical therapy fails. Corticosteroids remain the primary initial therapy, although one-third of patients do not respond to treatment. Clinical data have indicated that cyclosporine, tacrolimus, and infliximab can be used to treat patients with ASUC who do not respond to intravenous corticosteroids. The effectiveness and safety of sequential therapy have recently been reported; however, the data are not convincing. Importantly, timely decision-making with rescue therapy or surgical treatment is critical to manage ASUC without compromising the health or safety of the patients. In addition, risk stratification and the use of predictive clinical parameters have improved the clinical outcome.of ASUC. Multidisciplinary teams that include inflammatory bowel disease experts, colorectal surgeons, and other medical staff contribute to the better management of patients with ASUC. In this review, we introduce current evidence and present a clinical approach to manage ASUC. (Gut Liver, Published online November 14, 2022)     

肠内营养和全胃肠外营养治疗重症急性胰腺炎疗效的荟萃分析

背景：营养支持是重症急性胰腺炎（SAP）的重要治疗措施,然而目前对选择肠内营养（EN）或全胃肠外营养（TPN）治疗SAP仍存在争议.目的：系统性评价EN和TPN治疗SAP/预期SAP患者的临床效果.方法：检索MEDLINE、EMBASE、Cochrane图书馆、万方数据资源系统和中国期刊网（1966年1月～2010年4月）,纳人有关EN和TPN治疗的随机对照试验（RCT）.2名评价者对入选研究的试验设计、研究对象特征、研究结果等内容进行独立摘录,并应用RevMan 4.2软件进行荟萃分析.结果：共纳入14项RCT,包括701例患者.与TPN相比,EN能显著降低感染率（RR=0.43,95%CI：0.28～0.66,P〈0.0001）、外科干预率（RR=0.45,95%CI：0.29～0.70,P=0.0004）、器官衰竭率（RR=0.45,95%CI：0.26～0.78,P=0.004）和死亡率（RR=0.37,95% CI：0.23～0.58,P〈0.0001）.结论：EN治疗SAP优于TPN,若无EN禁忌症,应优先选择EN.     

Cyclosporin Therapy in Severe Ulcerative Colitis

PURPOSE: Cyclosporin is advocated in the treatment of acute severe ulcerative colitis that has failed to respond to high-dose corticosteroid therapy. This approach is controversial, with critics highlighting the temporary nature of remissions and the potential for adverse effects. There have been few reports of the long-term outcome of those patients who do respond. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical outcome of all patients treated with cyclosporin at our institution over the past five years. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of 46 patients who presented to a tertiary referral center. Initial responders were those who avoided colectomy; a sustained response was defined as a remission that lasted while the patient was taking oral cyclosporin and for three months after this therapy was discontinued. RESULTS: Thirty-two (69 percent) of 46 patients had an initial response to therapy, and 50 percent met criteria for a sustained response. Eleven of 23 sustained responders subsequently relapsed. At a mean of 22 months' follow-up, 26 percent of patients remain well and have never relapsed. Serious infective complications occurred in two patients, possibly attributable to therapy. No factors predictive of a likely response were identifiable on retrospective analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the efficacy of cyclosporin in the management of severe ulcerative colitis. Although many initial responders subsequently relapse, such patients may benefit from having even a short time to adjust to the need for surgery. A substantial minority (26 percent) of all patients treated remain in long-term remission.     

Enteral Nutrition as a Primary Therapy for Intestinal Lymphangiectasia: Value of Elemental Diet and Polymeric Diet Compared with Total Parenteral Nutrition

Intestinal lymphangiectasia (IL) is a rare disease requiring oral fat restriction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of enteral nutrition compared to that of total parenteral nutrition (TPN). We retrospectively reviewed nine patients with IL presenting with protein-losing enteropathy. Of these, seven patients not responding to a low-fat diet were treated with elemental diet (ED), polymeric diet (PD) containing medium-chain triglycerides, or TPN. Improvement in serum total protein was observed in two of three on ED and in one of two on PD, compared with three of three on TPN. Enteric protein loss was improved in two of two on ED, one of two on PD, and two of two on TPN. Outpatients who continued to receive enteral nutrition maintained a total protein level. Enteral nutirition appears to be as effective as TPN for patients with IL, and it may provide a valid and safe alternative therapy.     

Responses to Drug Therapy in Ulcerative Colitis

To evaluate responses to medical therapy in ulcerative colitis, rectal biopsies of patients with active untreated disease, individuals with positive and negative sigmoidoscopic findings treated with salicylazosulfapyridine, prednisone and 6-mercaptopurine, alone and in combinations and noncolitis controls were compared histologically. Predominant histological observations were analyzed statistically. There were fewer crypt abscesses but more mucosal edema after all forms of therapy. Quantitative histopathological analysis failed to demonstrate that the response to one drug was significantly different from another.     

重症溃疡性结肠炎的药物治疗

本文参照1993年全国慢性非感染性肠道疾病学术研讨会制定的溃疡性结肠炎的诊断标准,对北京协和医院1974年1月至1995年1月的溃疡性结肠炎住院病人共148例进行了分析,着重探讨了我院对重症溃疡性结肠炎的药物治疗经验。结果显示,21年间溃疡性结肠炎在内科消化病的年住院率呈上升趋势,重症患者占72.3％。其临床治疗方法仍以激素、水杨酸偶氮磺胺吡啶和免疫抑制剂为主要治疗药物。本病在我院内科治疗的临床缓解率达95.9％,其中重症的临床缓解率达95.3％。死亡率为6.08％。我们提出对溃疡性结肠炎的内科治疗应遵循尽早控制症状、维持缓解、预防复发、防治并发症和掌握手术时机的原则:并根据病变的范围、疾病的活动性和严重程度、病程、病人的全身情况,以前用药情况和有无并发症等进行综合治疗。     

重症溃疡性结肠炎的内科治疗

参照1973年全国慢性非感染肠道疾病学术研讨会制定的溃疡性结肠炎的诊断标准,对北京协和医院1974年1月至1995年1月的溃疡性结肠炎住院病人共148例进行了分析,着重探讨了我院对重症溃疡性结肠炎的药物治疗经验。结果显示:21年间溃疡性结肠炎在内科消化病的年住院率呈上升趋势,重症患者占 72.3 ％。其临床治疗仍以激素,水杨酸偶氮磺胺吡啶和免疫抑制剂为主要治疗药物。本病在我院内科治疗的临床缓解率达95.9 ％,其中重症的临床缓解率达95,3 ％,死亡率为6.08 ％。我们提出对溃疡性结肠炎的内科治疗应遵循尽早控制症状、维持缓解、预防复发、防治并发症和掌握手术时机的原则;并根据病变的范围、疾病的活动性和严重程度、病程、病人的全身情况、以前用药情况和有无并发症等进行综合治疗。     

Leukocytapheresis Therapy for Severe Ulcerative Colitis

Abstract: Severe attacks of ulcerative colitis are medical emergencies, and surgical treatment is indicated when glucocorticoid therapy is not effective. We have carried out an open clinical study of patients with severe attacks of ulcerative colitis to find out whether leukocytapheresis (LCAP) therapy can improve their outcomes. Nine patients were enrolled in this study. Seven of the nine patients had failed to respond to an intensive intravenous regimen before LCAP. LCAP was performed once a week for 4–5 weeks as intensive therapy using a leukocyte apheresis filter. Six of the 9 patients had an overall improvement after intensive therapy. Three patients reached the remission stage. The percentages of HLA-DR+, HLA-DR+ CD3+, HLA-DR+ CD4+, and HLA-DR+ CD8+ cells in the peripheral blood were higher in the responders than in the nonresponders, but there were no significant differences. In conclusion, LCAP therapy is useful for patients with severe attacks of ulcerative colitis, even those patients who failed to respond to glucocorticoid therapy.     

Ketotifen Therapy for Acute Ulcerative Colitis in Children (A Pilot Study)

Eosinophils contribute to the inflammatoryprocess in a variety of chronic inflammatory boweldiseases. Ketotifen is beneficial in experimental modelsof colitis and in patients with eosinophilicgastroenteritis. Therefore, we investigated the efficacy ofketotifen therapy for the treatment of active ulcerativecolitis. Children with newly or previously diagnosedulcerative colitis with mild-moderate disease activity were treated with ketotifen at a dosage of 4 mgdaily for eight weeks. Efficacy was determined by aphysician disease severity index and by endoscopic andhistologic examinations. Ten patients were enrolled. Symptoms improved in four patients and resolvedcompletely in one patient. There was endoscopicimprovement in three patients and histologic improvementin one. Increased eosinophils on rectal biopsy at entry were present in two of the responders.Five patients withdrew due to a lack of symptomaticimprovement. No adverse events were identified. Low-doseketotifen offers a limited therapeutic advantage in active ulcerative colitis that may beenhanced in the subgroup of patients with a higheosinophil count in the colonic mucosa. Further study oftherapeutic efficacy with increased dosages of the mast cell stabilizer for acute and maintenancetherapy is warranted.     

Acute Pancreatitis in Patients with Ulcerative Colitis

Twenty-two patients (13 men and 9 women; median age, 34 years; range, 15–64 years) with ulcerative colitis (UC) were evaluated to determine the incidence of acute pancreatitis with UC at the First Department of Internal Medicine, Mie University School of Medicine, during 1989–2001. Among these, three patients (14%) were diagnosed as having had episodes of acute pancreatitis during the mean follow-up period of 6 years. One patient presented with acute pancreatitis and UC simultaneously. Two patients had drug-induced pancreatitis (one due to azathioprine and the other due to 5-ASA). In conclusion, acute pancreatitis is not a frequent, but an occasional extraintestinal manifestation of UC.     

Leukocytapheresis with Leukocyte Removal Filter as New Therapy for Ulcerative Colitis

Abstract: Leukocytapheresis (LCAP) with a leukocyte removal filter column was administered for 45 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). We evaluated changes in the leukocyte count and the differential percentages during LCAP. Cytokine production was assessed from each patient's peripheral mononuclear cells or monocytes. Flow cytometry was performed to assess the removal rates of activated cells and adhesion molecule positive cells by LCAP. Clinical improvement was recognized in 35 of 45 patients during intensive LCAP therapy, and it continued throughout maintenance therapy in 32 patients (71.1%). The leukocyte count was decreased to about 40% during the first 30 min, but it increased to approximately 170% at 20 min after the completion of LCAP. The concentration of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α before LCAP in the effective group was higher than it was in either the ineffective group or the control group. Its level decreased to near normal range after LCAP. In the effective group, the concentrations of interleukin (1L)-1β, IL-2, interferon (IFN)γ, and IL-8 were near the normal upper limits before LCAP; however, they had decreased after LCAP. The concentration of IL-4 increased after LCAP. In the ineffective group, in contrast, the concentrations had been at or near normal before the initial LCAP treatment. Flow cytometry study revealed that LCAP could remove the activated cells and adhesion molecule positive cells more effectively. The clinical improvement and the changes observed before and after LCAP therapy suggest that LCAP is able to intervene in the causal mechanism(s) of UC.