The gut microbiota plays a role in promoting and maintaining inflammation in inflammatory bowel diseases （IBD）, hence the rationale for the use of antibiotics in the treatment of those disorders. Antibiotics, howeve...The gut microbiota plays a role in promoting and maintaining inflammation in inflammatory bowel diseases （IBD）, hence the rationale for the use of antibiotics in the treatment of those disorders. Antibiotics, however, may induce untoward effects, especially during longterm therapy. Rifaximin α polymer is an antibacterial agent that is virtually unabsorbed after oral administration and is devoid of systemic side effects. Rifaximin has provided promising results in inducing remission of Crohn＇s disease （up to 69% in open studies and significantly higher rates than placebo in double blind trials） and ulcerative colitis （76% in open studies and significantly higher rates than placebo in controlled studies） and might also have a role in maintaining remission of ulcerative colitis and pouchitis. The potential therapeutic activity of rifaximin in IBD deserves to be further investigated and confirmed in larger, controlled studies. The optimal dosage still needs to be better defined.展开更多
Intestinal bacteria play a role in the development of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs （NSAID）-induced small intestinal injury. Agents such as probiotics, able to modi~ the gut ecology, might theoretically be u...Intestinal bacteria play a role in the development of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs （NSAID）-induced small intestinal injury. Agents such as probiotics, able to modi~ the gut ecology, might theoretically be useful in preventing small intestinal damage induced by NSAIDs. The clinical studies available so far do suggest that some probiotic agents can be effective in this respect.展开更多
The treatment of microscopic colitis is mainly based on the use of budesonide, the only drug found effective in controlled clinical trials. After an initial course at a dose of 9 mg daily, however, most patients relap...The treatment of microscopic colitis is mainly based on the use of budesonide, the only drug found effective in controlled clinical trials. After an initial course at a dose of 9 mg daily, however, most patients relapse when the drug is discontinued, hence a maintenance therapy at doses of 6 mg daily or lower is necessary. In order to avoid steroid dependence and drug toxicity different pharmacological agents should be considered as an alternative to indefinite long-term budesonide treatment. Evidence-based guidelines are currently lacking due to the lack of conclusive data concerning the use of either immunosuppressive or anti-tumor necrosis factor agents. For the time being in clinical practice the skilled physician should therefore tailor long term management of microscopic colitis on the single patient.展开更多
The existence of a possible link between inflammatory bowel disease （IBD） and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs （NSAIDs） has been repeatedly suggested. Recently, a few studies have addressed the issue of a poss...The existence of a possible link between inflammatory bowel disease （IBD） and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs （NSAIDs） has been repeatedly suggested. Recently, a few studies have addressed the issue of a possible, similar effect by selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors （COXIBs）. The present article reviews the available scientific evidence for this controversial subject.展开更多
TO THE EDITORReviewing the available therapeutic options in the medical treatment of ulcerative colitis, Xu et al.[1], have omitted to mention an important aspect in the pharmacological management of the disease, name...TO THE EDITORReviewing the available therapeutic options in the medical treatment of ulcerative colitis, Xu et al.[1], have omitted to mention an important aspect in the pharmacological management of the disease, namely the possibility to promote clinical and endoscopic improvement by manipulating the enteric flora.展开更多
Steroid ulcers,although a common feature in experimental studies,seldom develop in clinical practice,as observed by the meta-analyses carried out in the 90s.Corticosteroids alone become ulcerogenic only if treatment l...Steroid ulcers,although a common feature in experimental studies,seldom develop in clinical practice,as observed by the meta-analyses carried out in the 90s.Corticosteroids alone become ulcerogenic only if treatment lasts longer than one month and the total administered dose exceeds 1000 mg.On the other hand concomitant intake of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs results in a synergistic,highly damaging effect on the gastroduodenal mucosa.Thus,despite the survival of the steroid ulcer myth in the medical culture,pharmacological protection against steroid-induced peptic ulcers is a rare necessity while the best prophylactic strategy still remains to be determined.展开更多
TOTHE EDITORIn their recent review article, Andoh and Fujiyama examined the various therapeutic approaches targeting intestinal microflora in patients with inflammatory bowel disease （IBD）. I would like to provide s...TOTHE EDITORIn their recent review article, Andoh and Fujiyama examined the various therapeutic approaches targeting intestinal microflora in patients with inflammatory bowel disease （IBD）. I would like to provide some additional data to complete and update their comments. First of all, when considering the role of probiotics in IBD treatment it must be emphasized that, in addition to Bifldobacteria, the Nissle 1917 E. coli strain and cocktails of microorganisms such as VSL # 3 mentioned in the article, other probiotic agents have been tested in the short- and long-term treatment of either ulcerative colitis and Crohn＇s disease, the results of those studies being reported in major international scientific journals.展开更多
文摘The gut microbiota plays a role in promoting and maintaining inflammation in inflammatory bowel diseases （IBD）, hence the rationale for the use of antibiotics in the treatment of those disorders. Antibiotics, however, may induce untoward effects, especially during longterm therapy. Rifaximin α polymer is an antibacterial agent that is virtually unabsorbed after oral administration and is devoid of systemic side effects. Rifaximin has provided promising results in inducing remission of Crohn＇s disease （up to 69% in open studies and significantly higher rates than placebo in double blind trials） and ulcerative colitis （76% in open studies and significantly higher rates than placebo in controlled studies） and might also have a role in maintaining remission of ulcerative colitis and pouchitis. The potential therapeutic activity of rifaximin in IBD deserves to be further investigated and confirmed in larger, controlled studies. The optimal dosage still needs to be better defined.
文摘Intestinal bacteria play a role in the development of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs （NSAID）-induced small intestinal injury. Agents such as probiotics, able to modi~ the gut ecology, might theoretically be useful in preventing small intestinal damage induced by NSAIDs. The clinical studies available so far do suggest that some probiotic agents can be effective in this respect.
文摘The treatment of microscopic colitis is mainly based on the use of budesonide, the only drug found effective in controlled clinical trials. After an initial course at a dose of 9 mg daily, however, most patients relapse when the drug is discontinued, hence a maintenance therapy at doses of 6 mg daily or lower is necessary. In order to avoid steroid dependence and drug toxicity different pharmacological agents should be considered as an alternative to indefinite long-term budesonide treatment. Evidence-based guidelines are currently lacking due to the lack of conclusive data concerning the use of either immunosuppressive or anti-tumor necrosis factor agents. For the time being in clinical practice the skilled physician should therefore tailor long term management of microscopic colitis on the single patient.
文摘The existence of a possible link between inflammatory bowel disease （IBD） and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs （NSAIDs） has been repeatedly suggested. Recently, a few studies have addressed the issue of a possible, similar effect by selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors （COXIBs）. The present article reviews the available scientific evidence for this controversial subject.
文摘TO THE EDITORReviewing the available therapeutic options in the medical treatment of ulcerative colitis, Xu et al.[1], have omitted to mention an important aspect in the pharmacological management of the disease, namely the possibility to promote clinical and endoscopic improvement by manipulating the enteric flora.
文摘Steroid ulcers,although a common feature in experimental studies,seldom develop in clinical practice,as observed by the meta-analyses carried out in the 90s.Corticosteroids alone become ulcerogenic only if treatment lasts longer than one month and the total administered dose exceeds 1000 mg.On the other hand concomitant intake of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs results in a synergistic,highly damaging effect on the gastroduodenal mucosa.Thus,despite the survival of the steroid ulcer myth in the medical culture,pharmacological protection against steroid-induced peptic ulcers is a rare necessity while the best prophylactic strategy still remains to be determined.
文摘TOTHE EDITORIn their recent review article, Andoh and Fujiyama examined the various therapeutic approaches targeting intestinal microflora in patients with inflammatory bowel disease （IBD）. I would like to provide some additional data to complete and update their comments. First of all, when considering the role of probiotics in IBD treatment it must be emphasized that, in addition to Bifldobacteria, the Nissle 1917 E. coli strain and cocktails of microorganisms such as VSL # 3 mentioned in the article, other probiotic agents have been tested in the short- and long-term treatment of either ulcerative colitis and Crohn＇s disease, the results of those studies being reported in major international scientific journals.
