Analysis of interleukin-8 secretion induced by Helicobacter pylori from the gastric epithelial cell line MKN45: A mechanism independent of the intensity of cytotoxicity

Interleukin (IL)-8, a potent chemoattractant and activator of neutrophils, has been implicated to have a major role in the pathogenesis of gastric mucosal injury by Helicobacter pylori infection. We examined the relationship between cytotoxicity and IL-8 secretion induced by H. pylori. Furthermore, whether the vacuolating cytotoxin of H. pylori mediates IL-8 secretion from gastric epithelial cell lines was examined. Among the inflammatory cytokines, messages for IL-6, IL-8 and transforming growth factor-β₁ were produced by gastric cancer (MKN45) cells in response to exposure to the cytotoxic strain of H. pylori. MKN45 incubated with the viable cytotoxic strain of H. pylori. secreted IL-8. In contrast, the supernatant of neither the cytotoxic nor the non-cytotoxic strain induced IL-8 secretion. There was no correlation between IL-8 secretion and the intensity of cytotoxicity. In conclusion, these findings suggest that IL-8 secretion from MKN45 induced by H. pylori is mediated by factors other than cytotoxicity.     

Hepatocellular carcinoma in a cirrhotic liver becoming detectable within a month

A case of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in a cirrhotic liver which became detectable within a month is reported here. The patient was admitted for treatment of oesophageal varices due to Child's C grade liver cirrhosis. A hepatic angiogram was performed before the treatment and showed no neovasculature. After undergoing variceal treatment by injection sclerotherapy, the patient underwent another angiogram 28 days later in order to measure the efficacy of the treatment. The second angiogram revealed the emergence of small multiple neovasculatures throughout the entire liver. From the angiographic findings, those tumours were considered to be HCC. The present report suggests that small HCC latent in a cirrhotic liver can thus acquire neovasculature within a short period of time.     

Clinical features in young adult patients with ischaemic colitis

The clinical, radiographic and endoscopic findings in 16 patients with ischaemic colitis, all of whom were <45 years of age, were analysed. The clinical features were characterized by an acute onset of abdominal pain and rectal bleeding, and persistent constipation prior to the onset of symptoms. Twelve of the 16 patients did not have any known predisposing factors. Barium enema examination and colonoscopy revealed longitudinal ulcers and oedema of the left side of the colon of these patients. These features were then compared with those found in patients with ischaemic colitis, who were > 70 years of age. Although the clinical symptoms, the site of involvement and the initial radiographic or endoscopic findings were similar between the two groups, the transient form of ischaemic colitis and constipation prior to the onset of symptoms were more frequently present in the young patients than in the old patients. These findings suggest that ischaemic colitis, which is not a rare condition even in young adults, is less severe in young patients than in old patients, and that constipation may be related to the pathogenesis of this disease in young adults.     

Acute pancreatitis complicating typhoid fever in a 4-year-old girl

Pancreatitis represents an extremely rare complication of typhoid fever. Herein we report the case of a 4-year-old Bangladeshi girl with acute pancreatitis caused by Salmonella typhi.