Correlation between expression of gastrin, somatostatin and cell apoptosis regulation gene bcl-2/bax in large intestine carcinoma

AIM: To explore the correlation between expression of somatostatin (SS), gastrin (GAS) and cell apoptosis regulation gene bcl-2/bax in large intestine carcinoma.METHODS: Sixty-two large intestine cancer tissue samples were randomly and retrospectively selected from patients with large intestine carcinoma. Immunohistochemical staining for bcl-2, bax, GAS, SS was performed according to the standard streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase (S-P) method.According to the semi-quantitative integral evaluation, SS and GAS were divided into three groups as follows. Scores1-3 were defined as the low expression group, 4-8 as the intermediate expression group, 9-16 as the high expression group. Bax and bcl-2 protein expressions in different GAS and SS expression groups of large intestine carcinoma were assessed.RESULTS: The positive expression rate of bax had a prominent difference between SS and GAS high, intermediate and low expression groups (P＜0.05, x2ss = 9.246; P＜0.05,x2GAS = 6.981). The positive expression rate of bax in SS high (80.0%, 8/10) and intermediate (76.5%, 13/17)expression groups was higher than that in low expression group (40.0%, 14/35) (P＜0.05, x2high vs low = 5.242; P＜0.05,x2middle vs low = 6.097). The positive expression rate of bax in GAS high expression group (27.3%, 3/8) was lower than that in low expression group (69.4%, 25/36) (P＜0.05,x2 = 4.594). However, bax expression in GAS intermediate expression group (46.7%, 7/15) was lower than that in low expression group, but not statistically significant. The positive expression rate of bcl-2 had a prominent difference between SS and GAS high, intermediate and low expression groups (P＜0.05, x2ss = 7.178; P＜0.05, x2GAS = 13.831). The positive expression rate of bcl-2 in GAS high (90.9%, 10/11)and intermediate (86.7%, 13/15) expression groups was higher than that in low expression group (44.4%, 16/36)(P＜0.05,x2high vs low = 5.600; P＜0.05, x2 middle vs low = 7.695).However, the positive expression rate of bcl-2 in SS high (40.0%, 4/10) and intermediate (47.1%, 8/9) expression groups was lower than that in low expression group (77.1%, 27/35)(P＜0.05, x2 high vs low = 4.710; P＜0.05, x2 middle vs low = 4.706).There was a significant positive correlation between the integral ratio of GAS to SS and the integral of bcl-2 (P＜0.01,r=0.340). However, there was a negative correlation between the integral ratio of GAS to the SS and bax the integral of (P＜0.05, r = -0.299).CONCLUSION: The regulation and control of gastrin,somatostatin in cell apoptosis of large intestine carcinoma may be directly related to the abnormal expression of bcl-2, bax.

Heterogeneity across the murine small and large intestine

The small and large intestine of the gastrointestinal tract(GIT) have evolved to have discrete functions with distinct anatomies and immune cell composition.The importance of these differences is underlined when considering that different pathogens have uniquely adapted to live in each region of the gut.Furthermore,different regions of the GIT are also associated with differences in susceptibility to diseases such as cancer and chronic inflammation.The large and small intestine,given their anatomical and functional differences,should be seen as two separate immunological sites.However,this distinction is often ignored with findings from one area of the GIT being inappropriately extrapolated to the other.Focussing largely on the murine small and large intestine,this review addresses the literature relating to the immunology and biology of the two sites,drawing comparisons between them and clarifying similarities and differences.We also highlight the gaps in our understanding and where further research is needed.

Retrospective Studies on Clinical Features of Melanosis of the Colon and Its Correlation with the Polypus and Carcinoma of Large Intestine

OBJECTIVE To investigate the clinical characteristics of melanosis of the colon （MC） and its correlation with polypus and carcinoma of the large intestine. METHODS Clinical feature and colonoscopic findings of 156 MC patients were retrospectively analyzed. Final diagnosis of MC case was made after colonoscopic and pathological examination, and data of the case history was recorded. RESULTS The overall detection rate of MC was 1.12%, with 0.46% in males, 0.66% in females. An 82.69% of the patients suffered various constipations and had a history of taking cathartics. The clinical manifestation of total-colon melanosis occurred in 83.97% of the patients. There was no significant difference between the rate of concomitant polypus （27.56%） in the MC patients and the detection rate of polypus in the patients who underwent a synchronous colonoscopy （χ^2 = 1.205, P = 0.298）. Also there was no significant difference between the detection rate of carcinoma of the large intestine （8.97%） in MC patients and the detection rate of the same disease in the patients who underwent synchronous colonoscopy （χ^2 = 0.268, P = 0.604）. A logistic regression analysis has shown that the older the age of MC patients is, the more opportunities of MC and the concomitant polypus would occur. CONCLUSION MC may be related to constipations and a long-term administration of cathartics, among which total-colon melanosis ranks first in the cases. There is an earlier age of onset in the females, with a higher detection rate. The older the age of the patients is, the higher the detection rate of MC is, and the more possibility the onset of the concomitant polypus.

Network Biological Modeling:A Novel Approach to Interpret the Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory of Exterior-Interior Correlation Between the Lung and Large Intestine

Objective To study the common pathogenesis of pneumonia and colitis using modern biological network analysis tools,and to explore the theory that the lung and large intestine are exteriorly and interiorly related.Methods The relevant target genes(hereinafter,“targets”)of pneumonia and colitis were separately queried on the GeneCards database.The main targets of the two diseases were then screened out according to their correlation scores and intersected to obtain those common to the two diseases.Metascape was used to analyze the main and common targets identified,and the Database for Annotation,Visualization and Integrated Discovery(DAVID)was used to enrich and analyze the common targets.Cytoscape 3.7.2 software was used to build the network diagram.Results In total,54 targets,such as TNF,IL-10,IL-6,IL-2,IL-4,TLR4,TLR2,CXCL8,IL-17A and IFNG,etc.,are common to pneumonia and colitis,which are mainly enriched in these processes such as cytokine–cytokine receptor interaction,the Tcell receptor signaling pathway,the Toll-like receptor signaling pathway and the Jak-STAT signaling pathway.The Metascape modular analysis identified 11 modules for pneumonia,six modules for colitis,and two modules for the common targets.Conclusions Pneumonia and colitis have the same pathogenic targets and mechanisms of action and finally interact with each other through inflammatory reactions and immune responses.This provides a probable molecular mechanism that explains the theory that the lung and large intestine are exteriorly and interiorly related.

A combined pig model to determine the net absorption of volatile fatty acids in the large intestine under different levels of crude fiber

Background:This study aimed to develop a combined model to quantify the net absorption of volatile fatty acids(VFA)in the large intestine(LI)of pigs.Methods:Fifteen female growing pigs(Duroc×Large White×Landrace)were ranked by body weight(30±2.1 kg)on day 0 and assigned to one of three treatments,namely the basal diet containing different crude fiber(CF)levels(LCF:3.0%CF,MCF:4.5%CF,and HCF:6.0%CF).The pigs were implanted with the terminal ileum fistula and the cannulation of the ileal mesenteric vein(IMV),portal vein(PV),and left femoral artery(LFA)from days 6 to 7.[13 C]-Labeled VFA and P-aminohippuric acid were constantly perfused into the terminal ileum fistula and the cannulation of the IMV(day 15),respectively.Blood samples were collected from the PV and the LFA during perfusion(5 h),and LI samples were collected.Results:The net flux of[12 C]-acetic acid in the PV was greater for LCF versus MCF(p=0.045),but no difference was observed in the net flux of[12 C]-propionic acid(p=0.505)and[12 C]-butyric acid(p=0.35)in the PV among treatments.The deposition of[12 C]-acetic acid in the LI was greater for LCF versus MCF(p=0.014),whereas the deposition of[12 C]-propionic acid(p=0.007)and[12 C]-butyric acid(p=0.037)in the LI was greater for LCF versus HCF.Conclusions:In conclusion,this pig model was found conducive to study the net absorption of VFAs in the LI,and LCF had more net absorption of VFAs in the LI than MCF and HCF.

IMMUNOCYTOCHEMICAL STUDY OF ENTEROCHROMAFFIN CELLS IN CARCINOMAS OF THE LARGE INTESTINE

In a series of 130 cases of adenocarcinomas of the large intestine, enterochromaffin (EC) cells were detected in 54 cases (41.3%) by limmunocytochemistry with anti-chromogranin monoclonal antibody. Among the 54 cases, 30 were found positive for serotonin, 14 for somatostatin, 11 for glucagon, 5 for pancreatic polypeptide, and only one for gastrin. The cases with EC cell (++) or polypeptide positive cells exhibited higher grade of differentiation, earlier stage of tumor extension and higher survival rate than those without EC cells. A significant difference of the EC cell population pattern among different histological grades of the tumors and non-neoplastic mucosa was found. The proportion of hormone, especially polypeptied positive cells was the highest in the mucosa and lowest in the moderately or poorly-differentiated carcinomas. The incidence, methodology and clinicopathological significance of EC cells found in the tumors are discussed.

Relationship between expression of gastrin, somatostatin,Fas/FasL and caspases in large intestinal carcinoma

AIM: To explore the correlation between the mRNAs and protein expression of gastrin (GAS), somatostatin (SS) and apoptosis index (AI), apoptosis regulation gene Fas/ FasL and caspases in large intestinal carcinoma (LIC). METHODS: Expression of GAS and SS mRNAs were detected by nested RT-PCR in 79 cases of LIC. Cell apoptosis was detected by molecular biology in situ apoptosis detecting methods (TUNEL). Immunohistochemical staining for GAS, SS, Fas/FasL, caspase-3 and caspase-8 was performed according to the standard streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase (S-P) method. RESULTS: There was a significant positive correlation between mRNA and protein expression of GAS and SS (GASrs=0.99, P < 0.01; SSrs = 0.98, P < 0.01). There was significant difference in positive expression rates of GAS, SS mRNAs and protein among different histological differentiation, histological types and Dukes’ stage of LIC. The AI in GAS high and moderate expression groups was significantly lower than that in low expression groups (3.75 ± 2.38 vs 7.82 ± 2.38, P < 0.01; 5.51 ± 2.66 vs 7.82 ± 2.38, P < 0.01), and the AI in SS high and moderate expression groups was significantly higher than that in low expression groups (9.03 ± 1.76 vs 5.35 ± 3.00, P < 0.01; 7.44 ± 2.67 vs 5.35 ± 3.00, P < 0.01). There was a significant negative correlation between the integral ratio of GAS to SS and the AI (rs = -0.41, P < 0.01). The positive expression rate of FasL in GAS high and moderate expression groups was higher than thatin low expression group (90.9% and 81.0% vs 53.2%, P < 0.05). The positive expression rates of Fas, caspase-8 and caspase-3 in SS high (90.0%, 90.0% and 100%) and moderate (80.0%, 70.0%, 75.0%) expression groups were higher than that in low expression group (53.1%, 42.9%, 49.0%) (90.0% and 80.0% vs 53.1%, P < 0.05; 90.0% and 70.0% vs 42.9%, P < 0.05; 100.0% and 75.0% vs 49.0%, P < 0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between the integral ratio of GAS to SS and the semiquantitative integral of FasL (rs = 0.32, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: GAS and SS play important roles in the regulation and control of cell apoptosis in LIC, and the mechanism may be directly related to the aberrant expression of Fas/FasL. The GAS and SS will be valuable targets of the biological behavior of LIC.

Role of ERK-MAPK signaling pathway in pentagastrin-regulated growth of large intestinal carcinoma

AIM: To explore the role and mechanisms of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase-mitogen-activated protein kinase (ERK-MAPK) signaling in pentagastrin-regulated growth of large intestinal carcinoma.

Perioperative management of postoperative sigmoid colon cancer complicated by a large abdominal wall defect:A case report

BACKGROUND Large abdominal wall defect(LAWD)measures>20 cm in width.LAWD can easily lead to intestinal necrosis,peritonitis,other complications,and even mul-tiple organ dysfunction syndrome.Multiple intestinal fistulas are high-flow fis-tulas that can cause severe water–electrolyte imbalance and malnutrition,as well as inflammation,high metabolic status,and chronic intestinal failure caused by intestinal fluid corrosion in tissues around the orifice fistulas.CASE SUMMARY This article summarizes the nursing experience of a patient with sigmoid carci-noma who has LAWD with multiple intestinal fistula due to repeated operations for postoperative complications.The key points of care:Scientific assessment of nutritional status,dynamic adjustment of nutritional support programmes,com-prehensive adoption of enteral nutrition,parenteral nutrition and combined nut-rition of enteral and parenteral;taking good care of abdominal wall defects and intestinal fistulas;continuous flushing of the abdominal drainage tube and low negative pressure drainage;prevention of venous thrombosis;strengthening of physical exercise;implementation of positive psychological interventions.CONCLUSION After more than 7 months of careful care,the patient's physical fitness has been well recovered,local inflammation is well controlled,which wins the opportunity for the operation,and the postoperative recovery is good.

Multiple metastases to the small bowel from large cell bronchial carcinomas

AIM: Metastases from lung cancer to gastrointestinal tract are not rare at postmortem studies but the development of clinically significant symptoms from the gastrointestinal metastases is very unusual. METHODS: Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues were cut into 5 urn thick sections and routinely stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Some slides were also stained with Alcian-PAS. Antibodies used were primary antibodies to pancytokeratin, cytokeratin 7, cytokeratin 20, epithelial membrane antigen, vimentin, smooth muscle actin and CD-117. RESULTS: We observed three patients who presented with multiple metastases from large cell bronchial carcinoma to small intestine. Two of them had abdominal symptoms (sudden onset of abdominal pain, constipation and vomiting) and in one case the tumor was incidentally found during autopsy. Microscopically, all tumors showed a same histological pattern and consisted almost exclusively of strands and sheets of poorly cohesive, polymorphic giant cells with scanty, delicate stromas. Few smaller polygonal anaplastic cells dispersed between polymorphic giant cells, were also observed. Immunohistochemistry showed positive staining of the tumor cells with cytokeratin and vimentin. Microscopically and immunohistochemically all metastases had a similar pattern to primary anaplastic carcinoma of the small intestine. CONCLUSION: In patients with small intestine tumors showing anaplastic features, especially with multiple tumors, metastases from large cell bronchial carcinoma should be first excluded, because it seems that they are more common than expected.

Risk factors for small intestinal adenocarcinomas that are common in the proximal small intestine

The frequency of primary small intestinal adenocarcinoma is increasing but is still low.Its frequency is approximately 3%of that of colorectal adenocarcinoma.Considering that the small intestine occupies 90%of the surface area of the gastrointestinal tract,small intestinal adenocarcinoma is very rare.The main site of small intestinal adenocarcinoma is the proximal small intestine.Based on this characteristic,dietary animal proteins/lipids and bile concentrations are implicated and reported to be involved in carcinogenesis.Since most nutrients are absorbed in the proximal small intestine,the effect of absorbable intestinal content is a suitable explanation for why small intestinal adenocarcinoma is more common in the proximal small intestine.The proportion of aerobic bacteria is high in the proximal small intestine,but the absolute number of bacteria is low.In addition,the length and density of villi are greater in the proximal small intestine.However,the involvement of villi is considered to be low because the number of small intestinal adenocarcinomas is much smaller than that of colorectal adenocarcinomas.On the other hand,the reason for the low incidence of small intestinal adenocarcinoma in the distal small intestine may be that immune organs reside there.Genetic and disease factors increase the likelihood of small intestinal adenocarcinoma.In carcinogenesis experiments in which the positions of the small and large intestines were exchanged,tumors still occurred in the large intestinal mucosa more often.In other words,the influence of the intestinal contents is small,and there is a large difference in epithelial properties between the small intestine and the large intestine.In conclusion,small intestinal adenocarcinoma is rare compared to large intestinal adenocarcinoma due to the nature of the epithelium.It is reasonable to assume that diet is a trigger for small intestinal adenocarcinoma.

The influence of intestine-based treatment using Xuan Bai Cheng Qi Tang on the concentration of trace elements in the main organs of COPD rats

Objective:To test two theories from traditional Chinese medicine:'exterior -interior relationship between the lung and large intestine' and 'treating from the intestine principle for lung disorders'.The influence of intestine-based treatment using Xuan Bai Cheng Qi Tang (XBCQT) on the concentration of three trace elements-copper (Cu),zinc (Zn),and manganese (Mn)-was observed in the tissues of the lung,small intestine,large intestine,and stomach of rats suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Methods:Thirty-five male Wistar rats were divided randomly and equally into five groups:control;model;Fei treatment (A);Chang treatment (B);and Fei-Chang treatment (C).A rat model of COPD was prepared by tracheal injection of lipopolysaccharide plus exposure to cigarette smoke.Treatments with medicinal herbs started day-22 of administration and exposure to cigarette smoke for 7 days.The control group and model group were administered physiologic (0.9%) saline solution via the stomach.After 7 days of intervention,the tissues of the lung,small intestine,large intestine,and stomach were removed.Inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy was used to detect the levels of Cu,Zn,and Mn in those tissues.Results:Compared with the control group,the Cu concentration in the tissues of the small intestine,large intestine,and stomach increased significantly in the model group (P <.05);the Mn concentration in the tissues of the lung,large intestine,and stomach increased significantly in the model group (P <.05);the Zn concentration in the tissues of the lung and large intestine decreased significantly in the model group (P <.05).In comparison of the model group:the Cu concentration in the tissues of the lung and large intestine decreased significantly in the B group (P <.05);the Mn concentration in the tissues of the lung,small intestine,and large intestine decreased significantly in the B group (P <.05);the Zn concentration in the tissues of the lung,small intestine,and large intestine increased significantly in the B group (P <.05).For the A group versus C group comparison,the Zn concentration in the tissues of the small intestine and stomach increased significantly in the latter (P <.05).Conclusion:This study showed that 'treating from the intestine' using Xuan Bai Cheng Qi Tang and its modified formulae can regulate the concentration of trace elements in the main organs of COPD rats.This may be one of the mechanisms for intestine-based treatment for COPD.

Evaluating the accuracy and reproducibility of ChatGPT-4 in answering patient questions related to small intestinal bacterial overgrowth

BACKGROUND Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth(SIBO)poses diagnostic and treatment challenges due to its complex management and evolving guidelines.Patients often seek online information related to their health,prompting interest in large language models,like GPT-4,as potential sources of patient education.AIM To investigate ChatGPT-4's accuracy and reproducibility in responding to patient questions related to SIBO.METHODS A total of 27 patient questions related to SIBO were curated from professional societies,Facebook groups,and Reddit threads.Each question was entered into GPT-4 twice on separate days to examine reproducibility of accuracy on separate occasions.GPT-4 generated responses were independently evaluated for accuracy and reproducibility by two motility fellowship-trained gastroenterologists.A third senior fellowship-trained gastroenterologist resolved disagreements.Accuracy of responses were graded using the scale:(1)Comprehensive;(2)Correct but inadequate;(3)Some correct and some incorrect;or(4)Completely incorrect.Two responses were generated for every question to evaluate reproducibility in accuracy.RESULTS In evaluating GPT-4's effectiveness at answering SIBO-related questions,it provided responses with correct information to 18/27(66.7%)of questions,with 16/27(59.3%)of responses graded as comprehensive and 2/27(7.4%)responses graded as correct but inadequate.The model provided responses with incorrect information to 9/27(33.3%)of questions,with 4/27(14.8%)of responses graded as completely incorrect and 5/27(18.5%)of responses graded as mixed correct and incorrect data.Accuracy varied by question category,with questions related to“basic knowledge”achieving the highest proportion of comprehensive responses(90%)and no incorrect responses.On the other hand,the“treatment”related questions yielded the lowest proportion of comprehensive responses(33.3%)and highest percent of completely incorrect responses(33.3%).A total of 77.8%of questions yielded reproducible responses.CONCLUSION Though GPT-4 shows promise as a supplementary tool for SIBO-related patient education,the model requires further refinement and validation in subsequent iterations prior to its integration into patient care.

Infrared Thermal Imaging-Based Research on the Intermediate Structures of the Lung and Large Intestine Exterior-Interior Relationship in Asthma Patients

Objective: By observing body surface temperature variation of the intermediate structures of the Lung(Fei) and Large Intestine(Dachang) exterior-interior relationship in asthmatic patients, to investigate the pathological response on the pathway of channels and to substantiate the objective existence of the intermediary structures. Methods: The study included 60 subjects meeting the bronchial asthma inclusion criteria(experimental group) and 60 healthy subjects(normal control group). ATIR-M301 infrared thermal imaging device was used for detecting body surface temperature of the subjects and collecting the infrared thermal images. The temperature values of the intermediate structures of Lung and Large Intestine exterior-interior relationship [throat, Quepen, elbow, nose, Lieque(LU 7), Pianli(LI 6)], control areas(0.2 cm lateral to the above structures) and Yintang(EX-HN 3) were measured on the infrared thermal image by infrared imaging system. Then, the above temperature values were compared and analyzed within and between two groups. Results: There were insignificant differences between the temperature on the left and right sides of the intermediate structures(Quepen, elbow, LU 7, LI 6) in normal control group(P>0.05). Except for that of Quepen, there were insignificant differences between the temperature of the intermediate structures and their corresponding control areas in normal control group(P>0.05). In the experimental group, the temperature on the left and right sides of the intermediate structures(Quepen, elbow, LU 7, LI 6) showed statistically significant differences(P<0.05 or P<0.01); the temperature difference between intermediate structure(throat, Quepen, elbow, nose, LI 6) and their respective control areas were also significant(P<0.05 or P<0.01). The temperature of the intermediate structures(throat, Quepen, elbow, LU7, LI 6) between the experimental group and normal control group showed significant differences(P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusions: This study is an initial step to validate the objective existence of Lung and Large Intestine exterior-interior relationship intermediate structures, as described in the Chinese classical medical literatures, through the functional imaging angle. The intermediate structures are the pathological reaction areas of the bronchial asthmatic patients.

Endoscopic miniprobe ultrasonography in diagnosis of carcinomas and submucosal tumors of large intestine

Objective To assess the value of endoscopic miniprobe ultrasonography in the diagnosis of carcinomas and submucosal tumors of the large intestine.Methods A total of 96 patients with carcinomas and submucosal tumors of the large intestine were given colonoscopic ultrasonography with a miniprobe (Olympus UM-2R, 12 MHz; UM-3R, 20 MHz) from December, 2000 to January, 2002. Results Carcinomas of the large intestine of 81 patients appeared as a hypoechoic mass under endoscopic ultrasonography, by which 67 patients (82.7%) were accurately diagnosed as having infiltrated colorectal carcinomas. The sensitivity of endoscopic ultrasonography in the diagnosis of lymph node metastasis was 55.4%, while the specificity was 68.8%. The positive predictive value and the negative predictive value were 0.88 and 0.28, respectively. All 15 cases with submucosal tumors were diagnosed correctly under endoscopic ultrasonography except for one leiomyoma, which was misdiagnosed as leiomyosarcoma. Conclusions Endoscopic miniprobe ultrasonography has a high accuracy in determining the invasion depth of carcinomas of the large intestine and the diagnosis of submucosal tumors. The pre-operative endoscopic ultrasonography may provide valuable information and influence the choice of therapy for carcinomas and submucosal tumors of the large intestine.

Clinical observation on Tui-pushing the Large Intestine Meridian plus point sticking at Tianshu(ST 25) in prevention of post-stroke constipation

Objective： To observe the prevention effect of Tui-pushing the Large Intestine Meridian plus point sticking at Tianshu（ST 25） for post-stroke constipation. Methods： Seventy eligible patients with post-stroke constipation were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 35 cases in each group. Both groups were intervened by conventional treatment and care in Western medicine, while the treatment group was also by Tui-pushing the Large Intestine Meridian and point sticking at Tianshu（ST 25）. The treatment lasted for 14 d. Therapeutic efficacy was evaluated by the first defecation time, constipation incidence and Chinese stroke scale（CSS） score. Results： After treatment, the first defecation time was（1.86 ± 0.74） d in the treatment group, shorter than（2.77 ± 0.83） d in the control group; constipation incidence was 14.3% in the treatment group, significantly lower than 37.1% in the control group, and the between-group differences in the two items were statistically significant（both P〈0.05）. CSS score in both groups dropped significantly after treatment（both P〈0.05）; the improvement in the treatment group was better than that in the control group, and the inter-group difference was statistically significant（P〈0.05）. Conclusion： Tui-pushing the Large Intestine Meridian plus point sticking at Tianshu（ST 25） can effectively prevent post-stroke constipation, and can also promote the rehabilitation of nerve functions.

Study on Traditional Chinese Medicine theory of lung being connected with large intestine

OBJECTIVE:The theory of lung being connected with large intestine,which is a major topic in Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM),has guided clinical practice for thousands of years in China.METHODS:In this study,we analyzed the history,main contents,clinical application,and material basis of the theory,to attempt to improve the potential clinical significance of "lung being connected with large intestine" in China.RESULTS:The lung being connected with large intestine was first described in "Huang Di Nei Jing",and formed one of the basic theories of TCM.For thousands of years,the majority of TCM practitioners explored this theory continuously,leading to its development and use as an important theory in the guidance of TCM clinics In the last decade,researchers in the field of integrated TCM and Western medicine have studied clinical applications and biomedical mechanisms with experimental methods to explore the implications of the theory.CONCLUSION:With the further development of science and technology,research concerning the theory of lung being connected with large intestine will be greatly stimulated and contribute to the modernization of TCM.

The Association between Pulmonary Function Impairment and Colon Inflammation in Ulcerative Colitis Patients： A Scientific Basis for Exterior-Interior Correlation between Lung and Large Intestine

Objective： To investigate the involvement of pulmonary function impairment in ulcerative colitis（UC）, and explore a scientific basis for the Chinese medicine（CM） theory of exterior-interior correlation between Lung（Fei） and Large intestine（Dachang）. Methods： Totally 120 patients with a diagnosis of UC were recruited and the demographics, clinical data, and blood samples were collected. C-reactive protein（CRP） and erythrocyte sedimentation rate（ESR） concentrations were measured. Every patient accepted pulmonary function test and took chest radiograph（CXR）. Results： Pulmonary function abnormalities were present in 72 of 120 patients. The median（interquartile range） vital capacity（VC）, forced vital capacity（FVC）, forced expiratory volume in 1 s（FEV_1）, carbon monoxide diffusion capacity（DL_∞） of lung, total lung capacity（TLC） and functional residual volume（FRV） were decreased in distal UC and pancolitis compared with ulcerative prochitis（P〈0.0005）. Male patients had increased VC, FEV_1/FVC, and residual volume（RV）/TLC compared with female（P〈0.0005）, but decreased DLCO and carbon monoxide iffusion capacity（KCO） of lung/alveolar ventilation（P〈0.0005）. Age was strongly correlated with RV（Spearman rank correlation coefficient（rs）=–0.57, P〈0.0001）, and RV/TLC（rs=0.48, P〈0.0001）. Age was also correlated with FEV_1/FVC（rs=–0.29, P=0.001）, forced expiratory flow in 75% vital capacity（FEF75%, rs=–0.20, P=0.03）, DLCO（rs=–0.21, P=0.02）, TLC（rs=–0.25, P=0.006）, and FRV（rs=–0.28, P=0.002）. The course of disease was correlated with FEF75%（rs=–0.18, P=0.049） and KCO（rs=–0.19, P=0.036）. Chest radiograph abnormalities were presented in 38 of 120. Pulmonary symptoms were presented in 10 of 120. Other extraintestinal complications were presented in 21 of 120. Conclusions： Pulmonary function impairment was more frequently than other extraintestinal complications in UC patients, which may be affected by sex, age, extent and course of disease. These results may be a scientific basis for the theory of exterior-interior correlation between Lung and Large intestine.

Understanding the viscera-related theory that the lung and large intestine are exterior-interiorly related

Pairing of the viscera and bowels is an important theory,which provides guidance to traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) clinical practice.Investigating this theory has been the focus of research on the basic theory of TCM.Recently,researchers have performed many studies on the theory that the lung and large intestine are exterior-interiorly related,which is a different point of view to that of previous literature,recent clinical studies and experimental studies,and these recent studies have enforced the theoretical connotation of the statement.However,there are problems in some of these studies including recent clinical studies and experimental studies.In the current article,literature on the viscera-related theory of the lung and large intestine are exterior-interiorly related is reviewed from physiological,pathological,and clinical views,and some opinions on the current research status are discussed.

Screening of stimulatory effects of dietary risk factors on mouse intestinal cell kinetics

AIM: Although epidemiological and experimental studies validate influence of genetic, environmental and dietary factors in the causation of various types of cancers including colon, results from all these sources are inconclusive. Hypothesizing that high fat diet and obesity are among the major predisposing factors in the incidence of colon cancer, we evaluated the role of diet constituted with food material derived from a tropical plant, Tamarindus indica Linn (TI). METHODS: A two part randomized double-blind study was conducted employing inbred Swiss albino mice from a single generation for the whole investigation. One day-old neonates (n=12) were subcutaneously administered with monosodium glutamate (MSG) to induce obesity (OB). At weaning these animals were maintained on modified AIN-76 diet supplemented with 10% TI and 10% fat bolus (w/w,TIFB) for 8 wk. Subsequently, in the second part of study, four groups of animals belonging to the same generation, age and gender (n=12 per group), were maintained on: AIN-76 control diet (CD); AIN-76 mixed with 10% TI extract (TI); and, mixed with 10% TI and 10% FB (TIFB) for 8 wk, to determine intestinal crypt cell proliferation, functionally-specific enzyme activities, fermentation profile, and energy preferences. RESULTS: We observed a significant increase in the crypt cell production rate in distal colonic segment of experimental animals when compared with the controls. This segment also contained significantly low butyrate levels compared to control and TIFB groups. All the experimental groups showed a gross decrease in the enzyme activities viz., succinate dehydrogenase, acid-galactosidase and dipeptidyl amino peptidase IV demonstrating pathological stress caused by the test regimens, and an altered metabolic flux in the cellular environment. CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated a cumulative response to the three dietary factors, one of which (TI) is reported, herein, for the first time to modulate kinetics of large intestinal mucosa, contributing to total risk posed by these test agents.