Effects of severe acute pancreatitis on gut bacteria/endotoxin translocation in pigs

Objective： To set up a swine model of severe acute pancreatitis（SAP） and to observe its relationship with the gut-originated bacteria/endotoxin translocation. Methods： Forty pigs weighing 17-22 kg were randomly diyided into SAP group （n=34） and sham-SAP group （n=6）. By injecting 1 ml/kg of combined solution of 5% sodium taurocholate and 8 000-10 000 benzoyl arginine ethyl ester（BAEE） units trypsin per milliliter into pancreas via pancreatic duct, SAP was induced under anesthesia. Endotoxin samples from vena cava were determined by chromogenic limulus amebocyte lysate （LAL） technique. Both portal and central vena blood samples were collected before and 72 h after the induction of SAP and cultured for both aerobic and anaerobic bacterial growth. Animals were sacrificed at the end of experiments by injecting 20 ml of 10% KCl intravenously and tissue specimens of mesenteriolum and mesocolon lymph nodes, lung, pulmonary portal lymph nods and pancreas were taken immediately after animal death, and homogenized for bacteriological studies. Results： Systemic plasma endotoxin levels increased rapidly 6 h post induction of SAP（PIS） with a peak at 48 h PIS （P〈0.01）. The magnitude of bacterial translocation in both portal and systemic blood and remote systemic organs as well were recovered PIS. Conclusion： （1） A swine model of SAP was established; （2）The early endotoxemia PIS seamed probable originated from gut endotoxin translocation; （3）The magnitude of bacterial translocation in both portal and systemic blood and the remote systemic organs as well were recovered at 72h PIS.

The Composition of Colonic Commensal Bacteria According to Anatomical Localization in Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer （CRC） is a multistage disease resulting from complex factors, including genetic mutations, epigenetic changes, chronic inflammation, diet, and lifestyle. Recent accumulating evidence suggests that the gut microbiota is a new and important player in the development of CRC. Imbalance of the gut microbiota, especially dysregulated gut bacteria, contributes to colon cancer through mechanisms of inflammation, host defense modulations, oxidative stress, and alterations in bacterial-derived metabolism. Gut commensal bacteria are anatomically defined as four populations： luminal commensal bacteria, mucus-resident bacteria, epithelium-resident bacteria, and lymphoid tissue-resident commensal bacteria. The bacterial flora that are harbored in the gastrointestinal （GI） tract vary both longitudinally and cross-sectionally by different anatomical localization. It is notable that the translocation of colonic commensal bacteria is closely related to CRC progression. CRC-associated bacteria can serve as a noninvasive and accurate biomarker for CRC diagnosis. In this review, we summarize recent findings on the oncogenic roles of gut bacteria with different anatomical localization in CRC progression.

Post-Endoscopy Self-Limited Unspecified Fever: Rare or Common Adverse Event after Endoscopy?—An Observational, Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Although post-endoscopy fever (PEF) without colon perforation or haemorrhage is believed to be rare, incidence, risk factors and causes in the adult population have not been fully investigated. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the incidence of PEF and identify the risk factors associated with the development of PEF and its outcomes. Material and Methods: Over a three-month period, 1054 non-hospitalised patients who had an endoscopic procedure at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi received a post-procedure phone call within the first 24 hours. After identifying patients with fever and obtaining verbal consent, patients were enrolled in the study using a standardised telephone interview. Results: Thirty-four patients with PEF were identified. The highest temperature measured was 39.8 degrees Celsius. Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy, as a single procedure, was the most commonly performed (41.2%). Logistic regression revealed that no significant group differences across procedure types existed in terms of adjusted odds of fever. However, results also indicated that age has a significant negative relationship with fever—higher age is associated with lower odds of fever (b = -0.033, p = 0.024). Conclusion: PEF is an unpleasant side effect and it is associated with patient discomfort, dissatisfaction and fear during post-endoscopy recovery. Although our findings do not fully explain the possible mechanisms underlying post-endoscopy fever, this study data should increase awareness about PEF as a common side effect related to endoscopy.