Safety and in Vivo Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Ethanolic Extract of Ficus umbellata (Vahl.) Leaves

Toxicity is the totality of adverse effects, which can be functional and morphological lesions in a living organism, caused by a substance introduced in relatively high single doses or in small, repeated doses. The aim of this study was to assess the OECD-recommended acute oral toxicity and anti-inflammatory activity of ethanolic extract of Ficus umbellata leaves. Animals were given a single oral dose of 1000, 3000 and 5000 mg/Kg body weight (BW) of the extract. For the anti-inflammatory activity test, rats were given the ethanolic extract of F. umbellata leaves at doses of 100, 300 and 500 mg/Kg or aspirin® at a concentration of 100 mg/Kg PC orally, one hour before injection of 0.05 ml of 1% formalin under the plantar fascia of the rat’s right hind paw. Paw volume measurements were taken one, two and three hours after formalin injection, using an electronic caliper. After 14 days of observation, no deaths were observed in treated rats. The LD50 of ethanolic extract of Ficus umbellata leaf powder is greater than 5000 mg/Kg body weight. This extract has no significant effects on hematological parameters and on the main markers of nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity for a single dose of less than 5000 mg/Kg PC. It reduces formalin-induced edema. Evaluation of the percentage inhibition showed that the extract had greater anti-inflammatory activity at 3 hours after the start of the experiment. However, better inhibition of inflammatory oedema of the paw of rats treated with 500 mg/Kg was observed at 5 hours after the start of the experiment, with a percentage inhibition of 69.23 ± 1.02, compared with the reference group treated with aspirin® 100 mg/Kg, which showed an inhibition of 63.50 ± 0.98. These results show that F. umbellata leaves possess anti-inflammatory activity, which would justify their use in traditional African medicine to prevent or treat inflammation.

Roles of Community Pharmacists in Screening and Disseminating of Information about Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Risks: Implications for Drug Safety Assessment

Background: The increasing use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) both on prescription and over the counter raises a major global health concern because of the risks associated with their use if no proper guidance is given by the health care provider. This study assessed the roles of community pharmacists in screening and disseminating information about the risks associated with NSAID use in Zambia. Methodology: This was a national cross-sectional study in which a structured self-administered questionnaire was administered to 245 registered community pharmacists in Zambia. Stata/BE, version 15.1 (Stata Corporation, College Station, Texas, USA) and multivariate logistic regression model was used to determine factors associated with information dissemination about ADRs of NS-NSAIDs. Results: 231 of the 245 distributed questionnaires were returned giving a response rate of 94.3%. All (100%) participating community pharmacists claimed to have practiced dispensing NSAIDs. However, only 26 (11.0%) and 71 (30.8%) regularly screened for risk factor of selective COX-2 NSAIDS (SC2-NSAIDS) and non-selective NSAIDS (NS-NSAIDs) respectively. Information dissemination on adverse drug reactions (ADRs) of SC2-NSAIDS was regularly provided by only 22 (9.5%) of pharmacists while that of NS-NSAIDs was regularly provided by 49 (21.2%). In the multivariate logistic regression model, being the owner of a pharmacy (AOR: 5.4, CI: 1.84 - 16.4) was significantly associated with information dissemination about ADRs of NS-NSAIDs while an hour increase in the working hours per day (AOR: 0.9, CI: 0.64 - 0.95) was associated with less likelihood of information dissemination. Conclusion: Pharmacists working in community pharmacies in Zambia did not regularly screen and disseminate information about the risks associated with NSAID use. Therefore, pharmacists should be able to screen and monitor patients at risk and be aware of the majority of risk factors while dispensing NSAIDs to minimize the associated complications.

Preprocessing and Efficacy Analysis of Comprehensive Anti-Inflammatory Treatment for Lymphedema in Patients with Irritating Contact Dermatitis

Objective: To explore the pre-treatment and efficacy analysis of comprehensive anti-inflammatory treatment for lymphedema in patients with irritating contact dermatitis. Method: Convenience sampling method was used to observe the skin of 160 patients with upper limb lymphedema admitted to the lymphedema outpatient department of our hospital. They were divided into an observation group (80 cases) and a control group (80 cases), and both groups received a course of comprehensive anti-inflammatory treatment (20 treatments). The control group received routine skin care;On the basis of the control group, the observation group received pre-treatment of the affected limb skin: Laofuzi herbal ointment was applied externally to the prone areas of irritating contact dermatitis (such as the upper arm, inner forearm, and cubital fossa). Result: The incidence of irritating contact dermatitis in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P 0.05). Patients in the observation group felt significantly better in terms of comfort, skin moisture, and itching relief after being wrapped with low elasticity bandages than those in the control group (P Conclusion: Preventive treatment can effectively reduce the incidence of irritating contact dermatitis, prolong the time of stress treatment, thereby increasing efficacy and improving patient compliance.

类风湿关节炎合并骨关节炎病人血清anti-Sa、anti-CCP水平与骨关节损伤、全身炎症反应的相关性分析

目的:分析类风湿关节炎(RA)病人血清anti-Sa、anti-CCP抗体水平与其骨关节损伤、全身炎症反应的相关性。方法:选择RA合并骨关节损伤病人108例,根据血清anti-Sa、anti-CCP抗体水平分别列入高anti-Sa组和低anti-Sa组、高anti-CCP组和低anti-CCP组。比较各组病人WOMAC骨性关节炎指数、lysholms膝关节功能评分值,血清白细胞介素(IL)-1β、IL-6、IL-27、肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)水平。采用Pearson检验评估有关指标的相关性。结果:高anti-Sa组、高anti-CCP组病人的WOMAC骨性关节炎指数明显高于低anti-Sa组(P<0.01),lysholms膝关节功能评分明显低于低anti-Sa组(P<0.01);血清中IL-1β、IL-6、IL-27、TNF-α的水平明显高于低anti-CCP组(P<0.01)。RA病人血清anti-Sa、anti-CCP抗体水平与骨关节损伤、全身炎症反应严重程度呈正相关关系(P<0.05~P<0.01),与lysholms膝关节功能评分呈负相关关系(P<0.01)。结论:RA病人血清中anti-Sa、anti-CCP抗体水平显著升高与关节损伤及全身炎症反应有一定的相关性,可作为临床判断病情活动性与骨关节损伤的参考指标。

Progress in the Study of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients with Primary Non-Responsiveness

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of chronic, nonspecific intestinal inflammatory disorders characterized by localized and systemic inflammation. The use of biologic agents in the treatment of IBD patients is widespread, and the occurrence of primary non-responsiveness during treatment is also significant. This review briefly summarizes the possible reasons for primary non-responsiveness in IBD patients, as well as predictive markers and current strategies to address it, providing a theoretical reference for early identification and management of IBD patients who do not respond to treatment.

Experimental study of the anti-inflammatory activity of some compounds in Berchemia lineata(L.)DC

Objective:To screen the anti-inflammatory monomeric compounds isolated from Berchemia lineata(L.)DC and explore the anti-inflammatory mechanism of some compounds based on NF-κB signaling pathway.Methods:LPS was used to induce RAW264.7 to establish a model of cellular inflammatory reaction.CCK-8 method was used to detect the effect of monomer compounds on the activity of RAW264.7 cells.The release of nitric oxide(NO)in the superneant was measured by Griess method,and NO inhibition rate was calculated.The anti-inflammatory activity gradient of some monomeric compounds was also measured.The effects of monomer compound 21 on the secretion of IL-6,TNF-α,NF-κB,COX-2 and iNOS induced by LPS were detected by ELISA.Results:The concentration of monomer compound of Berchemia lineata(L.)DC.was 50μmol/L,and it was administered for 24 h.The results showed that anthraquinone compound No.19 had obvious drug toxicity,while other compounds had weak or no obvious drug toxicity.The concentration was 50μmol/L,and the drug was administered for 12 h.The results showed that all the monomer compounds could inhibit the release of NO to varying degrees,and the highest NO inhibition rate was over 90%,which showed obvious anti-inflammatory activity.NO inhibition rate of No.01 new skeleton compound can reach 70.81%.The results of anti-inflammatory activity gradient showed that the monomer compound of Berchemia lineata(L.)DC.could inhibit the release of NO in a dose-dependent manner.The results of ELISA showed that phenolic compound 21 could inhibit the secretion of IL-6,TNF-α,NF-κB,COX-2 and iNOS in RAW264.7 cells.Conclusion:The monomer compound of Berchemia lineata(L.)DC.has a certain anti-inflammatory activity,among which flavonoids and bibenzyl components isolated from this plant for the first time may be the material basis for its anti-inflammatory activity.The simple phenolic monomer compound 21 may play an anti-inflammatory role by regulating NF-κB signaling pathway.

Primary Characterization of a Novel Soymilk-Cashew Fermented with an Improving of Its Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Contents

Cashew nut (Anacardium occidental) milk was included as a functional ingredient in soybean (Glycine max L.) milk at 20/80% and was fermented comparatively to commercial yogurt starters by two strains TC6 and A4 (recently isolated from two Ivorian highly flavored neglected traditional staple foods (beer and garlic)) identified as Weissella paramesenteroides and Enterococcus faecalis, after the screening of their probiotic, antioxydant and anti-inflammatory potentialities, respectively. The primary characterization of these plant-milks showed a strong improvement in their sensory, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory abilities. While TC6 from traditional beer Tchapalo increases anti-inflammatory activity by almost eighteen times, A4 isolated from garlic increases antioxidant activity by two times. Due to their aromatic and organosensory potentialities certainly, milks L138, L180 and 130 fermented respectively by the combination of TC6 and A4, TC4 alone and A4 alone were the most appreciated than the plant-milk fermented by the two strains of commercial yogurt. These probiotics, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory plant-milks should be further characterized in terms of their biological activities and tested in animal models to confirm their nutrition-health claims.

Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties of the Aqueous Extracts of the Leaves of Opilia amentacea (Opiliaceae)

Opilia amentacea (Opiliaceae) is a woody plant with multiple medicinal claimed effects. The present study aimed to assess the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of the decoction and macerate extracts from the leaves of Opilia amentacea. Moreover, acute toxicity and phytochemical analysis were performed. The acute toxicity was evaluated on NMRI mice at 2000 mg/kg bw. The anti-inflammatory activity was studied using the carrageenan-induced mouse paw edema and the lipoxygenase inhibition assay. The radical scavenging (DPPH and ABTS), ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and lipid peroxidation (LPO) assays were used to measure the antioxidant capacity of the extracts. Qualitative and quantitative methods served for identifying and quantifying the extract’s phytoconstituents. The decoction demonstrated low acute toxicity;the lethal dose was therefore estimated to be superior to 2000 mg/kg bw. The extracts significantly reduced the mouse paw’s thickness at 600 mg/kg bw. The extracts developed weak radical scavenging and lipid peroxidation inhibitory effects. However, the macerate showed a high ability (664.90 ± 0.71 mol Ascorbic Acid Equivalent/g dry extract) to reduce the ferric ions. Saponins, sterols, triterpenes, and flavonoids were qualitatively detected in the two extracts. Total phenolics (TP) and total flavonoids (TF) were found abundant in the extracts, especially the decoction (TP content (TPC) = 94.03 ± 2.66 mg GAE/g;TF content (TFC) = 35.05 ± 0.32 mg QE/g). Strong positive correlations existed between ferric-reducing capacity and TPC (r = 0.959) for the macerate, while TFC was mainly involved in the DPPH radical scavenging of the two extracts. Instead, most correlations were negative between the polyphenol compounds and the anti-inflammatory assays. The results indicate potent in vivo anti-inflammatory and in vitro antioxidant effects of the aqueous extracts from the leaves of Opilia amentacea. Further studies are needed to find the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects mechanism.

Study on the Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Mechanisms of Breast Lump Resolution Detergent in a Rat Model of Breast Hyperplasia

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic mechanisms of a breast lump resolution detergent in a rat model of breast hyperplasia. Methods: A rat model of breast hyperplasia was established using injections of estradiol benzoate combined with progesterone. The effects of the breast lump resolution detergent on nipple height and diameter in the rat model were observed, along with its impact on serum levels of estradiol (E2), prolactin (PRL), and progesterone (P). Additionally, the study examined the morphological changes in breast tissue. The impact of the breast nodule detergent on blood rheology parameters was also observed. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory effect of the breast nodule detergent was assessed using the cotton ball granuloma experiment, and the analgesic effect was observed using the writhing test. Results: The breast lump resolution detergent reduced nipple height and diameter in the rat model, decreased serum levels of E2, PRL, and P, and alleviated pathological changes in breast tissue. It also lowered hemorheological parameters including whole blood high, medium, and low shear viscosity, plasma viscosity, red blood cell hematocrit, red blood cell aggregation index, red blood cell deformability index, red blood cell electrophoresis time, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate in the acute “blood stasis” rat model. The detergent reduced the weight of cotton ball granulomas in mice and decreased the number of writhing episodes caused by acetic acid. Conclusion: The breast lump resolution detergent demonstrates favorable therapeutic effects in treating breast hyperplasia, promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, exerting anti-inflammatory properties, and providing analgesic effects. The downregulation of serum E2 and PRL levels and the upregulation of P levels may be critical mechanisms underlying its efficacy.

三棱多糖RSB-4结构表征及抗炎活性研究

三棱是一种常见的草本植物,用作中药具有破血行气、消积止痛等功效。文章采用热水提取法从三棱根茎中提取出多糖RSB,再通过DEAE-Cellulose阴离子交换层析柱进一步分离纯化得到三棱多糖RSB-4;并对RSB-4结构进行表征,结果表明,三棱多糖RSB-4的平均分子量大小为9.32×10^(5) Da,单糖主要由葡萄糖组成,是一种葡聚糖。结合甲基化和核磁共振谱(nuclear magnetic resonance,NMR)分析结果可知,三棱多糖RSB-4的主链由(1→3)-α-D-Glc p组成,在(1→3)-α-D-Glc p的O-6位连有支链T-β-D-Glc p和(1→6)-α-D-Glc p。免疫活性研究结果表明,三棱多糖RSB-4显著提高了巨噬细胞RAW264.7的增殖活性并促进NO的释放。研究结果为三棱多糖在功能性食品、抗炎药物上的开发和应用提供了理论基础。

选择性COX-2抑制剂引起心血管风险的研究进展

非甾体抗炎药(non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs,NSAIDs)是一种有效的、广泛使用的抗炎镇痛药物,其对环氧合酶(cyclo-oxygenase,COX)亚型(COX-1、COX-2)的抑制作用将引起不同的反应,选择性COX-2抑制剂将显著增加不良心血管事件的风险,随着此类药物使用的增加和临床循证证据的积累,其带来的心血管风险引起了越来越多学者的关注。笔者通过归纳分析最新发表文献对选择性COX-2抑制剂引起心血管风险的研究进行综述,以期辅助临床合理用药,减少不良反应,提高用药安全性。

Synthesis and Anti-inflammatory Activity of 2-(E)-(4-Hy-droxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)-5-(N-Substituted aminomethyl)Cyclopentanones

本文合成了１５种２（Ｅ）（３甲氧基４羟基苯亚甲基）环戊酮杂环胺Ｍａｎｎｉｃｈ碱盐酸盐和芳胺Ｍａｎｎｉｃｈ碱，并进行了初步的抗炎活性筛选。所有化合物结构均经波谱分析和元素分析证实。药理试验结果表明：部分化合物对二甲苯致小鼠耳肿胀有较显著的抑制作用；苯胺取代基的变化对芳胺Ｍａｎｎｉｃｈ碱的抗炎活性有显著的影响。

超高效液相色谱-四极杆-飞行时间高分辨质谱用于化妆品中18种非甾体抗炎药筛查和测定

建立了超高效液相色谱-四极杆-飞行时间高分辨质谱(UPLC-Q-TOF MS)快速筛查和测定化妆品中18种非甾体抗炎药(NSAIDs)的方法。样品采用60%乙腈水溶液超声提取,以ACQUITY UPLC BEH C_(18)(100 mm×2.1 mm,1.7μm)色谱柱分离,0.1%甲酸水和0.1%甲酸乙腈为流动相梯度洗脱。在ESI正离子扫描模式下,采用Target MS/MS模式采集化合物的质谱信息构建筛查数据库,以保留时间、一级母离子精确质量数、同位素丰度比和二级子离子谱库匹配进行快速筛查,以基质匹配外标法进行定量分析。结果表明18种化合物的线性关系良好,相关系数(r^(2))均大于0.99;检出限为0.001~0.050μg/g,定量下限为0.004~0.150μg/g。低、中、高3个加标水平下,膏霜及水剂两种化妆品基质的平均回收率为70.7%~116%,日内相对标准偏差(RSD,n=6)为0.70%~7.5%,日间RSD(n=3)为3.0%~14%。该方法前处理简单高效、准确度好、分析速度快,筛查结果准确,可用于化妆品中非甾体抗炎药的定性确证和定量分析,为化妆品风险识别提供技术手段。

对炎症性肠病患者开展抗TNF-α制剂TDM的国内外指南/共识的质量评价

目的评价对炎症性肠病(IBD)患者开展抗肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)制剂治疗药物监测(TDM)的指南/共识的质量。方法检索PubMed、Embase、中国知网、万方数据和维普网以及国内外指南/共识发布网站,收集针对IBD患者开展抗TNF-α制剂TDM的指南/专家共识。检索时限均为建库至2023年6月。由2名研究者独立筛选文献、提取资料后,采用指南研究与评价工具Ⅱ对纳入指南/共识的方法学质量进行评价,并汇总纳入指南/共识的主要推荐意见。结果共纳入9篇文献,3篇为指南,6篇为共识。9篇指南/共识在范围和目的、参与人员、制定的严谨性、表达的清晰性、应用性和编辑独立性6个维度的标准化百分比分别为90.43%、41.98%、52.55%、85.49%、19.00%、76.85%。8篇指南/共识的推荐级别为B级,1篇共识的推荐级别为C级。主要推荐意见涉及TDM应用场景、阈值范围、策略调整、检测方法以及结果解读。大部分指南/共识均推荐对失应答患者应进行被动TDM;建议根据预期的治疗结果设定TDM浓度范围,并结合疾病状况和TDM结果进行策略调整,且建议同一患者采用相同的检测方法。部分指南/共识认为,生物类似药和原研药不存在结果解读差异。结论纳入的指南/共识总体质量一般,推荐意见较为统一。临床工作者需要了解该类药物TDM的特点和局限性,并结合具体的临床治疗目标去解读和运用监测结果。

基于迷走-胆碱能抗炎通路探讨针刺治疗高血压病炎症反应作用机制

高血压病是临床常见心脑血管疾病之一。近年来,研究发现炎症反应与高血压病及靶器官损伤密切相关,炎症细胞浸润打破了自主神经系统的平衡,使外周交感神经过度激活,而交感神经活动的增强激活了免疫系统,促进了炎症的发生,从而形成恶性循环,而炎症反应的控制成为防治高血压病的新靶点。而迷走神经-胆碱能抗炎通路(cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway,CAIP)是一条神经-免疫通路,研究发现其中关键信号分子的调节作用,可介导延缓高血压病炎症反应。针刺的抗炎效果为大家所共识,机制可能与调控胆碱能抗炎通路有密切联系,该文拟通过文献分析、汇总,总结针刺基于胆碱能抗炎通路调节高血压病机制:(1)耳穴迷走神经刺激可驱动抗炎反应;(2)针刺通过调节CAIP中乙酰胆碱(acetylcholine,ACh)的释放和乙酰胆碱受体7(α7nAChR)的表达激活信号转导通路;(3)针刺可调节CAIP细胞内分子信号转导途径从而抑制炎症因子的产生与发展。

玉米黄素减轻脂多糖诱导的3T3-L1脂肪细胞慢性炎症

目的:探究一种天然类胡萝卜素——玉米黄素(ZEA),基于NF-κB信号通路减轻脂多糖(LPS)诱导的3T3-L1脂肪细胞慢性炎症并发挥抗炎的作用机制。方法:以LPS刺激成熟的3T3-L1脂肪细胞建立炎症模型,用不同浓度的ZEA(0,5,10,15μmol/L)进行干预,检测脂肪细胞炎症相关因子的含量,并通过实时荧光定量PCR(qPCR)检测其mRNA表达水平,用蛋白免疫印迹法检测信号通路因子的蛋白表达水平。结果:与LPS组相比,ZEA干预显著抑制炎症细胞模型中促炎因子IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α和MCP-1分泌(P<0.001),同时促进抗炎因子IL-10和ADPN产生(P<0.001)。此外,qPCR结果显示ZEA能有效抑制促炎因子,同时恢复抗炎因子的mRNA表达水平(P<0.001)。蛋白免疫印迹结果表明,ZEA能明显降低IκB激酶催化亚基IKKα和IKKβ的蛋白和磷酸化表达(P<0.001),增强抑制蛋白IκBα与核转录因子NF-κB p65的结合,最终抑制NF-κB p65进行核内转录。结论:ZEA可通过抑制NF-κB信号通路激活及调控炎性因子的分泌,改善肥胖引起的慢性炎症。

叶酸修饰的粉防己碱壳聚糖-硬脂酸纳米胶束的制备、表征及体外抗炎活性考察

目的制备叶酸(FA)修饰的粉防己碱(TET)壳聚糖(CS)-硬脂酸(SA)纳米胶束(简称“FA-CS-SA/TET纳米胶束”),并进行表征和体外抗炎活性考察。方法采用超声法制备FA-CS-SA/TET纳米胶束,以包封率(EE)、载药量(DL)、粒径的综合评分为评价指标,FA-CS-SA与TET质量比、超声功率和超声次数为考察因素,根据正交实验确定最优制备工艺并验证;对以最优工艺制备的FA-CS-SA/TET纳米胶束进行表征,并考察其体外释放性能。以RAW264.7细胞为实验对象,考察其体外抗炎活性。结果最优制备工艺为FA-CS-SA与TET质量比2∶1,超声功率200W,超声200次。以最优工艺制备的FA-CS-SA/TET纳米胶束的EE为(98.86±0.30)%,DL为(28.57±0.34)%,平均粒径为(227.0±9.4)nm,多分散性指数为0.42±0.04,Zeta电位为(12.6±2.3)mV;该纳米胶束呈类圆形且分布均匀,其在0.5%十二烷基硫酸钠溶液中释放较快,72h内的累积释放度为(79.49±3.43)%,且其抗炎作用强于TET原料药。结论本研究成功制备了FA-CS-SA/TET纳米胶束,其载药性能良好,粒径均匀,且具有较好的体外抗炎活性。

Anti-anaphylactic and anti-inflammatory activities of a bioactive alkaloid from the root bark of Plumeria acutifolia Poir

Objective:To investigate the anti-anaphylactic,anti-inflammatory and membrane stabilizing properties of plumerianine(compound 1)isolated from the root bark of Plumeria acuifolia Poir.Methods:The anti-anaphylactic activity of compound 1(10,25 and 50 mg/kg)was studied by using models such as passive cutaneous anaphylaxis,passive paw anaphylaxis and its antiinflammatory activity against carrageenin induced paw edema and cotton pellet granuloma in albino rats was also investigated using ketotifen and indomethacin as reference drugs.Results:A dose-dependent beneficial effect was observed on leakage of evans blue dye in skin challenged with antigen and on paw anaphylaxis induced by antiserum.The compound 1 also exhibited significant(P<0.01)inhibition of rat paw edema and granuloma tissue formation,including significant protection of RBC against the haemolytic effect of hypotonic solution,an indication of membrane-stabilizing activity.Conclusions:Anti-anaphylactic activity of compound 1 may be possibly due to inhibition of the release of various inflammatory mediators.Anti-inflammatory activity of compound may be related to the inhibition of the early phase and late phase of inflammatory events.

Efficacy and safety of rabeprazole in non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced ulcer in Japan

AIM: To investigate the effi cacy and safety of rabepra-zole under continuous non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) administration for NSAID-induced ulcer in Japan. METHODS: Subjects comprised patients undergoing NSAID treatment in whom upper gastrointestinal en-doscopy revealed an ulcerous lesion (open ulcer) with diameter ≥ 3 mm, who required continuous NSAID treatment. Endoscopies were performed at the start of treatment, during the treatment period, and at the conclusion (or discontinuation) of treatment. Findings were evaluated as size (maximum diameter) and stage based on the Sakita-Miwa classifi cation. An ulcer was regarded as cured when the "white coating" was seen to have disappeared under endoscopy. As criteria for evaluating safety, all medically untoward symptoms and signs (adverse events, laboratory abnormalities, accidental symptoms, etc.) occurring after the start of rabeprazole treatment were handled as adverse events.RESULTS: Endoscopic cure rate in 38 patients in the efficacy analysis (endoscopic evaluation) was 71.1% (27/38). Among those 38 patients, 35 had gastric ulcer with a cure rate of 71.4% (25/35), and 3 had duodenal ulcer with a cure rate of 66.7% (2/3). Three adverse drug reactions were reported from 64 patients in the safety analysis (interstitial pneumonia, low white blood cell count and pruritus); thus, the incidence rate for adverse drug reactions was 4.7% (3/64).CONCLUSION: The treatment efficacy of rabeprazole for NSAID-induced ulcer under continuous NSAID ad-ministration was confi rmed.

Update on Anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies, anti-nuclear associated anti-neutrophil antibodies and antibodies to exocrine pancreas detected by indirect immunofluorescence as biomarkers in chronic inflammatory bowel diseases: Results of a multicent

AIM: Anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies (ASCA), anti-nuclear associated anti-neutrophil antibodies (NANA) and antibodies to exocrine pancreas (PAB), are serological tools for discriminating Crohn’s disease (CrD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Like CrD, coeliac disease (CoD) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) associated with (auto) antibodies. Performing a multicenter study we primarily aimed to determine the performance of ASCA, NANA and PAB tests for IBD diagnosis in children and adults, and secondarily to evaluate the prevalence of these markers in CoD. METHODS: Sera of 109 patients with CrD, 78 with UC, 45 with CoD and 50 healthy blood donors were retrospectively included. ASCA, NANA and PAB were detected by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF). RESULTS: ASCA+/NANA- profile displayed a positive predictive value of 94.2% for CrD. Detection of ASCA was correlated with a more severe clinical profile of CrD and treatment of the disease did not influence their serum levels. ASCA positivity was found in 37.9% of active CoD.PAB were found in 36.7% CrD and 13.3% CoD patients and were not correlated with clinical features of CrD, except with an early onset of the disease. Fifteen CrD patients were ASCA negative and PAB positive. CONCLUSION: ASCA and PAB detected by IIF are specific markers for CrD although their presence does not rule out a possible active CoD. The combination of ASCA, NANA and PAB tests improves the sensitivity of immunological markers for CrD. Repeating ASCA, NANA, and PAB testing during the course of CrD has no clinical value.