AIM To assess the diagnostic accuracy of a new fecal test for detecting Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori), using ^(13)Curea breath test as the reference standard, and explore bacterial antibiotic resistance. METHODS We c...AIM To assess the diagnostic accuracy of a new fecal test for detecting Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori), using ^(13)Curea breath test as the reference standard, and explore bacterial antibiotic resistance. METHODS We conducted a prospective two-center diagnostic test accuracy study. We enrolled consecutive people≥ 18 years without previous diagnosis of H. pylori infection, referred for dyspepsia between February and October 2017. At enrollment, all participants underwent 13 C-urea breath test. Participants aged over 50 years were scheduled to undergo upper endoscopy with histology. Participants collected stool samples 1-3 d after enrollment for a new fecal investigation(THD fecal test). The detection of bacterial 23 S rRNA subunit gene indicated H. pylori infection. We also used the index diagnostic test to examine mutations conferring resistance to clarithromycin and levofloxacin. Independent investigators analyzed index test and reference test standard results blinded to the other test findings. We estimated sensitivity, specificity, positive(PPV) and negative(NPV) predictive value, diagnostic accuracy, positive and negative likelihood ratio(LR), together with 95% confidence intervals(CI).RESULTS We enrolled 294 consecutive participants(age: Median 37.0 years, IQR: 29.0-46.0 years; men: 39.8%). Ninetyfive(32.3%) participants had a positive ^(13)C-urea breath test. Twenty-three(7.8%) participants underwent upper endoscopy with histology, with a full concordance between ^(13)C-urea breath test and histology in detecting H. pylori infection. Four(1.4%) out of the 294 participants withdrew from the study after the enrollment visit and did not undergo THD fecal testing. In the 290 participants who completed the study, the THD fecal test sensitivity was 90.2%(CI: 84.2%-96.3%), specificity 98.5%(CI:96.8%-100%), PPV 96.5%(CI: 92.6%-100%), NPV 95.6%(CI: 92.8%-98.4%), accuracy 95.9%(CI: 93.6%-98.2%), positive LR 59.5(CI: 19.3-183.4), negative LR 0.10(CI: 0.05-0.18). Out of 83 infected participants identified with the THD fecal test, 34(41.0%) had bacterial genotypic changes consistent with antibiotic-resistant H. pylori infection. Of these, 27(32.5%) had bacterial strains resistant to clarithromycin, 3(3.6%) to levofloxacin, and 4(4.8%) to both antibiotics. CONCLUSION The THD fecal test has high performance for the non-invasive diagnosis of H. pylori infection while additionally enabling the assessment of bacterial antibiotic resistances.展开更多
Ulcerative colitis(UC) is a condition at increased risk for colorectal carcinoma(CRC) development. Nowadays, screening and follow-up programs are routinely performed worldwide to promote the early detection of CRCs in...Ulcerative colitis(UC) is a condition at increased risk for colorectal carcinoma(CRC) development. Nowadays, screening and follow-up programs are routinely performed worldwide to promote the early detection of CRCs in subjects with well known risk factors(extent, duration and severity of the disorder). The diffusion of these procedures is presumably the main reason for the marked reduction of cancer incidence and mortality in the course of UC. In addition, chemoprevention has been widely investigated and developed in many medical fields, and aspirin has shown a preventive effect against CRC, while mesalazine has been strongly invoked as a potential chemopreventive agent in UC. However, available studies show some limitations due to the obvious ethical implications of drug withdrawal in UC in order to design a control group. The estrogenreceptors(ER) alpha/beta balance seems to have a relevant influence on colorectal carcinogenesis and ER beta appears to parallel apoptosis, and hence an anticarcinogenic effect. Phytoestrogens are compounds acting as ER beta agonists and have shown a promising chemopreventive effect on sporadic as well as genetically inherited CRC. There is evidence suggesting a role for ERs in UC-related carcinogenesis. In this perspective, since these substances can be considered as dietary supplements and are completely free from side effects, phytoestrogens could be an interesting option for CRC prevention, even when the disease is a consequence of long-term chronic inflammation, as in the course of UC. Further studies of their effects are warranted in both the basic research and clinical fields.展开更多
AIM:To assess the safety and effect of the supplementation of a patented blend of dietary phytoestrogens and insoluble fibers on estrogen receptor (ER)-β and biological parameters in sporadic colonic adenomas. METHOD...AIM:To assess the safety and effect of the supplementation of a patented blend of dietary phytoestrogens and insoluble fibers on estrogen receptor (ER)-β and biological parameters in sporadic colonic adenomas. METHODS:A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial was performed. Patients scheduled to undergo surveillance colonoscopy for previous sporadic colonic adenomas were identified, and 60 eligible patients were randomized to placebo or active dietary intervention (ADI) twice a day, for 60 d before surveillance colonoscopy. ADI was a mixture of 175 mg milk thistle extract, 20 mg secoisolariciresinol and 750 mg oat fiber extract. ER-β and ER-α expression, apoptosis and proliferation (Ki-67 LI) were assessed in colon samples. RESULTS:No adverse event related to ADI was recorded. ADI administration showed a significant increases in ER-β protein (0.822 ± 0.08 vs 0.768 ± 0.10, P = 0.04) and a general trend to an increase in ER-β LI (39.222 ± 2.69vs 37.708 ± 5.31,P = 0.06), ER-β/ER-α LI ratio (6.564 ± 10.04 vs 2.437 ± 1.53, P = 0.06), terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (35.592 ± 14.97 vs 31.541 ± 11.54, P = 0.07) and Ki-67 (53.923 ± 20.91 vs 44.833 ± 10.38, P = 0.07) approximating statistical significance. A significant increase of ER-β protein (0.805 ± 0.13 vs 0.773 ± 0.13,P = 0.04), mRNA (2.278 ± 1.19vs 1.105 ± 1.07, P < 0.02) and LI (47.533 ± 15.47 vs 34.875 ± 16.67,P < 0.05) and a decrease of ER-α protein (0.423 ± 0.06vs 0.532 ± 0.11,P < 0.02) as well as a trend to increase of ER-β/ER-α protein in ADI vs placebo group were observed in patients without polyps (1.734 ± 0.20 vs 1.571 ± 0.42, P = 0.07). CONCLUSION:The role of ER-β on the control of apoptosis, and its amenability to dietary intervention, are supported in our study.展开更多
BACKGROUND Some substances of plant origin have been reported to exert an effect in reducing intestinal neoplasm development,especially in animal models.Adenomatous polyposis coli multiple intestinal neoplasia-ApcMin/...BACKGROUND Some substances of plant origin have been reported to exert an effect in reducing intestinal neoplasm development,especially in animal models.Adenomatous polyposis coli multiple intestinal neoplasia-ApcMin/+is the most studied murine model of genetic intestinal carcinogenesis.AIM To assess whether an enriched nutritional formulation(silymarin,boswellic acid and curcumin)with proven“in vitro”and“in vivo”anti-carcinogenetic properties may prevent inherited intestinal cancer in animal model.METHODS Forty adenomatous polyposis coli multiple intestinal neoplasia-ApcMin/+mice were used for the study of cancer prevention.They were divided into two groups:20 assumed standard and 20 enriched diet.At the 110th d animals were sacrificed.In each group,four subgroups received intraperitoneal bromodeoxyuridine injection at different times(24,48,72 and 96 h before the sacrifice)in order to assess epithelial turnover.Moreover,we evaluated the following parameters:Intestinal polypoid lesion number and size on autoptic tissue,dysplasia and neoplasia areas by histological examination of the whole small intestine,inflammation by histology and cytokine mRNA expression by real-time polymerase chain reaction,bromodeoxyuridine and TUNEL immunofluorescence for epithelial turnover and apoptosis,respectively.Additionally,we performed western blotting analysis for the expression of estrogen alpha and beta receptors,cyclin D1 and cleaved caspase 3 in normal and polypoid tissues.RESULTS Compared to standard,enriched diet reduced the total number(203 vs 416)and the mean±SD/animal(12.6±5.0 vs 26.0±8.8;P<0.001)of polypoid lesions.In enriched diet group a reduction in polyp size was observed(P<0.001).Histological inflammation and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression were similar in both groups.Areas of low-grade dysplasia(P<0.001)and intestinal carcinoma(IC;P<0.001)were significantly decreased in enriched diet group.IC was observed in 100%in standard and 85%in enriched formulation assuming animals.Enriched diet showed a faster epithelial migration and an increased apoptosis in normal mucosa and low-grade dysplasia areas(P<0.001).At western blotting,estrogen receptor beta protein was well expressed in normal mucosa of enriched and standard groups,with a more marked trend associated to the first one.Estrogen receptor alpha was similarly expressed in normal and polypoid mucosa of standard and enriched diet group.Cleaved caspase 3 showed in normal mucosa a stronger signal in enriched than in standard diet.Cyclin D1 was more expressed in standard than enriched diet group of both normal and polypoid tissue.CONCLUSION Our results are suggestive of a chemo-preventive synergic effect of the components(silymarin,boswellic acid and curcumin)of an enriched formulation in inherited IC.This effect may be mediated by the reduction of epithelial proliferation,the increase of apoptosis and the acceleration of villous cell renewal due to dietary formulation intake.展开更多
AIM: To investigate estrogen receptors expression in duodenal familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and any relationship with epithelial proliferation/apoptosis markers.METHODS: Twenty-two patients affected by FAP unde...AIM: To investigate estrogen receptors expression in duodenal familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and any relationship with epithelial proliferation/apoptosis markers.METHODS: Twenty-two patients affected by FAP undergoing duodenal resection for malignancies were recruited. Controls were 15 healthy subjects undergoing endoscopy for dyspeptic symptoms. ER-α, ER-α, Ki-67, TUNEL and caspase 3 expression (labeling index: percentage of positive cells) were evaluated by immunohistochemistry or immunofluorescence and examined by light or confocal microscopy. Samples were assigned to four groups: normal tissue, low (LGD) and high-grade dysplasia (HGD), adenocarcinoma (AC). One-way analysis of variance, corrected by Bonferroni’s test, and Pearson’s correlation test were applied for statistical analysis.RESULTS: ER-beta showed a progressive decline: normal tissue (23.5 ± 4.9), LGD (21.1 ± 4.8), HGD (9.3 ± 3.5), AC (7.1 ± 3.1). The normal tissue of FAP subjects expressed ER-beta like the controls (23.9 ± 6.2). Conversely, ER-α showed a progressive increase from normal tissue (24.8 ± 5.6) to AC (52.0 ± 8.2); the expression in normal tissue was similar to controls (22.5 ± 5.3). Ki67 demonstrated a statistically significant progressive increase at each disease stage up to AC. TUNEL did not reveal differences between controls and normal tissue of FAP subjects, but progressive decreases were observed in LGD, through HGD to AC. Pearson’s correlation test showed a direct relationship between ER-β and TUNEL LI (r = 0.8088, P < 0.0001). Conversely, ER-α was inversely correlated with TUNEL LI (r = - 0.7257, P < 0.0001). The co-expression of ER-β and caspase 3 declined progressively from normal to neoplastic tissue.CONCLUSION: This study confirmed that ER-β is strongly decreased in duodenal FAP carcinomas, declining in a multiple step fashion, thereby suggesting a putative anti-carcinogenic effect. ER-α showed the opposite trend. ER-β/caspase 3 co-expression suggests this hormone’s possible involvement in apoptosis. Hormonal influences in FAP duodenal tumorigenesis, and modulation of these as a possible chemoprevention strategy, may be a promising approach.展开更多
When several Helicobacter pylori eradication treatments fail,guidelines recommend a cultured guided approach;however,culture is not widely available.Therefore,a rifabutin based regimen could be the best solution.Rifab...When several Helicobacter pylori eradication treatments fail,guidelines recommend a cultured guided approach;however,culture is not widely available.Therefore,a rifabutin based regimen could be the best solution.Rifabutin indeed shows a low rate of antibiotic resistance.Rifabutin is generally used in combination with amoxicillin in a triple therapy,with eradication rates about 80%in third-line regimens.The ideal duration of this therapy should range between 10 and 12 d.Combinations with antibiotics other than amoxicillin have demonstrated even better results,such as vonoprazan,which is a type of novel acid suppressor drug.Finally,a new formulation of triple therapy in a single capsule is under investigation,which is a field that deserves further investigation.Some notes of caution about rifabutin should be mentioned.This drug is used to treat tuberculosis or atypical mycobacteria;therefore,before starting a rifabutin-based eradication regimen,Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection should be thoroughly tested,since its use could promote the development of antibiotic resistance,thus affecting its effectiveness against Koch’s bacillus.Additionally,some serious side effects must be evaluated before starting any rifabutin-based therapy.Adverse effects include fever,nausea,vomiting and bone marrow suppression.For this reason,full blood count surveillance is required.展开更多
文摘AIM To assess the diagnostic accuracy of a new fecal test for detecting Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori), using ^(13)Curea breath test as the reference standard, and explore bacterial antibiotic resistance. METHODS We conducted a prospective two-center diagnostic test accuracy study. We enrolled consecutive people≥ 18 years without previous diagnosis of H. pylori infection, referred for dyspepsia between February and October 2017. At enrollment, all participants underwent 13 C-urea breath test. Participants aged over 50 years were scheduled to undergo upper endoscopy with histology. Participants collected stool samples 1-3 d after enrollment for a new fecal investigation(THD fecal test). The detection of bacterial 23 S rRNA subunit gene indicated H. pylori infection. We also used the index diagnostic test to examine mutations conferring resistance to clarithromycin and levofloxacin. Independent investigators analyzed index test and reference test standard results blinded to the other test findings. We estimated sensitivity, specificity, positive(PPV) and negative(NPV) predictive value, diagnostic accuracy, positive and negative likelihood ratio(LR), together with 95% confidence intervals(CI).RESULTS We enrolled 294 consecutive participants(age: Median 37.0 years, IQR: 29.0-46.0 years; men: 39.8%). Ninetyfive(32.3%) participants had a positive ^(13)C-urea breath test. Twenty-three(7.8%) participants underwent upper endoscopy with histology, with a full concordance between ^(13)C-urea breath test and histology in detecting H. pylori infection. Four(1.4%) out of the 294 participants withdrew from the study after the enrollment visit and did not undergo THD fecal testing. In the 290 participants who completed the study, the THD fecal test sensitivity was 90.2%(CI: 84.2%-96.3%), specificity 98.5%(CI:96.8%-100%), PPV 96.5%(CI: 92.6%-100%), NPV 95.6%(CI: 92.8%-98.4%), accuracy 95.9%(CI: 93.6%-98.2%), positive LR 59.5(CI: 19.3-183.4), negative LR 0.10(CI: 0.05-0.18). Out of 83 infected participants identified with the THD fecal test, 34(41.0%) had bacterial genotypic changes consistent with antibiotic-resistant H. pylori infection. Of these, 27(32.5%) had bacterial strains resistant to clarithromycin, 3(3.6%) to levofloxacin, and 4(4.8%) to both antibiotics. CONCLUSION The THD fecal test has high performance for the non-invasive diagnosis of H. pylori infection while additionally enabling the assessment of bacterial antibiotic resistances.
文摘Ulcerative colitis(UC) is a condition at increased risk for colorectal carcinoma(CRC) development. Nowadays, screening and follow-up programs are routinely performed worldwide to promote the early detection of CRCs in subjects with well known risk factors(extent, duration and severity of the disorder). The diffusion of these procedures is presumably the main reason for the marked reduction of cancer incidence and mortality in the course of UC. In addition, chemoprevention has been widely investigated and developed in many medical fields, and aspirin has shown a preventive effect against CRC, while mesalazine has been strongly invoked as a potential chemopreventive agent in UC. However, available studies show some limitations due to the obvious ethical implications of drug withdrawal in UC in order to design a control group. The estrogenreceptors(ER) alpha/beta balance seems to have a relevant influence on colorectal carcinogenesis and ER beta appears to parallel apoptosis, and hence an anticarcinogenic effect. Phytoestrogens are compounds acting as ER beta agonists and have shown a promising chemopreventive effect on sporadic as well as genetically inherited CRC. There is evidence suggesting a role for ERs in UC-related carcinogenesis. In this perspective, since these substances can be considered as dietary supplements and are completely free from side effects, phytoestrogens could be an interesting option for CRC prevention, even when the disease is a consequence of long-term chronic inflammation, as in the course of UC. Further studies of their effects are warranted in both the basic research and clinical fields.
基金Supported by Wholly granted from R and D, CMD Pharma Limited, United Kingdom
文摘AIM:To assess the safety and effect of the supplementation of a patented blend of dietary phytoestrogens and insoluble fibers on estrogen receptor (ER)-β and biological parameters in sporadic colonic adenomas. METHODS:A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial was performed. Patients scheduled to undergo surveillance colonoscopy for previous sporadic colonic adenomas were identified, and 60 eligible patients were randomized to placebo or active dietary intervention (ADI) twice a day, for 60 d before surveillance colonoscopy. ADI was a mixture of 175 mg milk thistle extract, 20 mg secoisolariciresinol and 750 mg oat fiber extract. ER-β and ER-α expression, apoptosis and proliferation (Ki-67 LI) were assessed in colon samples. RESULTS:No adverse event related to ADI was recorded. ADI administration showed a significant increases in ER-β protein (0.822 ± 0.08 vs 0.768 ± 0.10, P = 0.04) and a general trend to an increase in ER-β LI (39.222 ± 2.69vs 37.708 ± 5.31,P = 0.06), ER-β/ER-α LI ratio (6.564 ± 10.04 vs 2.437 ± 1.53, P = 0.06), terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (35.592 ± 14.97 vs 31.541 ± 11.54, P = 0.07) and Ki-67 (53.923 ± 20.91 vs 44.833 ± 10.38, P = 0.07) approximating statistical significance. A significant increase of ER-β protein (0.805 ± 0.13 vs 0.773 ± 0.13,P = 0.04), mRNA (2.278 ± 1.19vs 1.105 ± 1.07, P < 0.02) and LI (47.533 ± 15.47 vs 34.875 ± 16.67,P < 0.05) and a decrease of ER-α protein (0.423 ± 0.06vs 0.532 ± 0.11,P < 0.02) as well as a trend to increase of ER-β/ER-α protein in ADI vs placebo group were observed in patients without polyps (1.734 ± 0.20 vs 1.571 ± 0.42, P = 0.07). CONCLUSION:The role of ER-β on the control of apoptosis, and its amenability to dietary intervention, are supported in our study.
文摘BACKGROUND Some substances of plant origin have been reported to exert an effect in reducing intestinal neoplasm development,especially in animal models.Adenomatous polyposis coli multiple intestinal neoplasia-ApcMin/+is the most studied murine model of genetic intestinal carcinogenesis.AIM To assess whether an enriched nutritional formulation(silymarin,boswellic acid and curcumin)with proven“in vitro”and“in vivo”anti-carcinogenetic properties may prevent inherited intestinal cancer in animal model.METHODS Forty adenomatous polyposis coli multiple intestinal neoplasia-ApcMin/+mice were used for the study of cancer prevention.They were divided into two groups:20 assumed standard and 20 enriched diet.At the 110th d animals were sacrificed.In each group,four subgroups received intraperitoneal bromodeoxyuridine injection at different times(24,48,72 and 96 h before the sacrifice)in order to assess epithelial turnover.Moreover,we evaluated the following parameters:Intestinal polypoid lesion number and size on autoptic tissue,dysplasia and neoplasia areas by histological examination of the whole small intestine,inflammation by histology and cytokine mRNA expression by real-time polymerase chain reaction,bromodeoxyuridine and TUNEL immunofluorescence for epithelial turnover and apoptosis,respectively.Additionally,we performed western blotting analysis for the expression of estrogen alpha and beta receptors,cyclin D1 and cleaved caspase 3 in normal and polypoid tissues.RESULTS Compared to standard,enriched diet reduced the total number(203 vs 416)and the mean±SD/animal(12.6±5.0 vs 26.0±8.8;P<0.001)of polypoid lesions.In enriched diet group a reduction in polyp size was observed(P<0.001).Histological inflammation and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression were similar in both groups.Areas of low-grade dysplasia(P<0.001)and intestinal carcinoma(IC;P<0.001)were significantly decreased in enriched diet group.IC was observed in 100%in standard and 85%in enriched formulation assuming animals.Enriched diet showed a faster epithelial migration and an increased apoptosis in normal mucosa and low-grade dysplasia areas(P<0.001).At western blotting,estrogen receptor beta protein was well expressed in normal mucosa of enriched and standard groups,with a more marked trend associated to the first one.Estrogen receptor alpha was similarly expressed in normal and polypoid mucosa of standard and enriched diet group.Cleaved caspase 3 showed in normal mucosa a stronger signal in enriched than in standard diet.Cyclin D1 was more expressed in standard than enriched diet group of both normal and polypoid tissue.CONCLUSION Our results are suggestive of a chemo-preventive synergic effect of the components(silymarin,boswellic acid and curcumin)of an enriched formulation in inherited IC.This effect may be mediated by the reduction of epithelial proliferation,the increase of apoptosis and the acceleration of villous cell renewal due to dietary formulation intake.
文摘AIM: To investigate estrogen receptors expression in duodenal familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and any relationship with epithelial proliferation/apoptosis markers.METHODS: Twenty-two patients affected by FAP undergoing duodenal resection for malignancies were recruited. Controls were 15 healthy subjects undergoing endoscopy for dyspeptic symptoms. ER-α, ER-α, Ki-67, TUNEL and caspase 3 expression (labeling index: percentage of positive cells) were evaluated by immunohistochemistry or immunofluorescence and examined by light or confocal microscopy. Samples were assigned to four groups: normal tissue, low (LGD) and high-grade dysplasia (HGD), adenocarcinoma (AC). One-way analysis of variance, corrected by Bonferroni’s test, and Pearson’s correlation test were applied for statistical analysis.RESULTS: ER-beta showed a progressive decline: normal tissue (23.5 ± 4.9), LGD (21.1 ± 4.8), HGD (9.3 ± 3.5), AC (7.1 ± 3.1). The normal tissue of FAP subjects expressed ER-beta like the controls (23.9 ± 6.2). Conversely, ER-α showed a progressive increase from normal tissue (24.8 ± 5.6) to AC (52.0 ± 8.2); the expression in normal tissue was similar to controls (22.5 ± 5.3). Ki67 demonstrated a statistically significant progressive increase at each disease stage up to AC. TUNEL did not reveal differences between controls and normal tissue of FAP subjects, but progressive decreases were observed in LGD, through HGD to AC. Pearson’s correlation test showed a direct relationship between ER-β and TUNEL LI (r = 0.8088, P < 0.0001). Conversely, ER-α was inversely correlated with TUNEL LI (r = - 0.7257, P < 0.0001). The co-expression of ER-β and caspase 3 declined progressively from normal to neoplastic tissue.CONCLUSION: This study confirmed that ER-β is strongly decreased in duodenal FAP carcinomas, declining in a multiple step fashion, thereby suggesting a putative anti-carcinogenic effect. ER-α showed the opposite trend. ER-β/caspase 3 co-expression suggests this hormone’s possible involvement in apoptosis. Hormonal influences in FAP duodenal tumorigenesis, and modulation of these as a possible chemoprevention strategy, may be a promising approach.
文摘When several Helicobacter pylori eradication treatments fail,guidelines recommend a cultured guided approach;however,culture is not widely available.Therefore,a rifabutin based regimen could be the best solution.Rifabutin indeed shows a low rate of antibiotic resistance.Rifabutin is generally used in combination with amoxicillin in a triple therapy,with eradication rates about 80%in third-line regimens.The ideal duration of this therapy should range between 10 and 12 d.Combinations with antibiotics other than amoxicillin have demonstrated even better results,such as vonoprazan,which is a type of novel acid suppressor drug.Finally,a new formulation of triple therapy in a single capsule is under investigation,which is a field that deserves further investigation.Some notes of caution about rifabutin should be mentioned.This drug is used to treat tuberculosis or atypical mycobacteria;therefore,before starting a rifabutin-based eradication regimen,Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection should be thoroughly tested,since its use could promote the development of antibiotic resistance,thus affecting its effectiveness against Koch’s bacillus.Additionally,some serious side effects must be evaluated before starting any rifabutin-based therapy.Adverse effects include fever,nausea,vomiting and bone marrow suppression.For this reason,full blood count surveillance is required.
