Defecation function and quality of life in patients with slow-transit constipation after colectomy

BACKGROUND Although total or subtotal colectomy for slow-transit constipation(STC)has been proven to be a definite treatment,the associated defecation function and quality of life(QOL)are rarely studied.AIM To evaluate the effectiveness of surgery for STC regarding defecation function and QOL.METHODS From March 2013 to September 2017,30 patients undergoing surgery for STC in our department were analyzed.Preoperative,intra-operative,and postoperative 3-mo,6-mo,1-year,and 2-year follow-up details were recorded.Defecation function was assessed by bowel movements,abdominal pain,bloating,straining,laxative,enema use,diarrhea,and the Wexner constipation and incontinence scales.QOL was evaluated using the gastrointestinal QOL index and the 36-item short form survey.RESULTS The majority of patients(93.1%,27/29)stated that they benefited from the operation at the 2-year follow-up.At each time point of the follow-up,the number of bowel movements per week significantly increased compared with that of the preoperative conditions(P<0.05).Similarly,compared with the preoperative values,a marked decline was observed in bloating,straining,laxative,and enema use at each time point of the follow-up(P<0.05).Postoperative diarrhea could be controlled effectively and notably improved at the 2-year follow-up.The Wexner incontinence scores at 6-mo,1-year,and 2-year were notably lower than those at the 3-mo follow-up(P<0.05).Compared with those of the preoperative findings,the Wexner constipation scores significantly decreased following surgery(P<0.05).Thus,it was reasonable to find that the gastrointestinal QOL index scores clearly increase(P<0.05)and that the 36-item short form survey results displayed considerable improvements in six spheres(role physical,role emotional,physical pain,vitality,mental health,and general health)following surgery.CONCLUSION Total or subtotal colectomy for STC is not only effective in alleviating constipation-related symptoms but also in enhancing patients’QOL.

Identification of differential proteins in colorectal cancer cells treated with caffeic acid phenethyl ester

AIM: To investigate the molecular mechanisms of the anti-cancer activity of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE).

Inhibitory effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on the growth of SW480 colorectal tumor cells involvesβ-catenin associated signaling pathway down-regulation

AIM： To study the anti-tumor effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester （CAPE） and the influence of CAPE on β-catenin associated signaling pathway in SW480 colorectal cancer （CRC） cells. METHODS： SW480 cells were treated with CAPE at serial concentrations. The proliferative status of cells was measured by methabenzthiazuron （MTT） assay. Cell cycle and cell apoptosis were analyzed using flow cytometry （FCM）. Western blotting assay was used to evaluate the protein level of β-catenin, c-myc and cyclinD1. β-catenin localization was determined by indirect immunofluorescence. RESULTS： CAPE displayed a strong inhibitory effect in a significant dose- and time-dependent manner on SW480 cell growth. FCM analysis showed that the ratio of G0/G1 phase cells increased, S phase ratio decreased and apoptosis rate increased after SW480 cells were exposed to CAPE for 24 h. Pretreatment of SW480 cells with CAPE significantly suppressed β-catenin, c-myc and cyclinD1 protein expression. CAPE treatment was associated with decreased accumulation of β-catenin protein in nucleus and cytoplasm, and concurrently increased its accumulation on the surface of cell membrane. CONCLUSION： CAPE can inhibit SW480 cell proliferation by inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Decreased β-catenin and the associated signaling pathway target gene expression may mediate the anti-tumor effects of CAPE.