New Insights and Evidence on "Food Intolerances": Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity and Nickel Allergic Contact Mucositis.

The clinical examination of patients often includes the observation of the existence of a close relationship between the ingestion of certain foods and the appearance of various symptoms. Until now, the occurrence of these events has been loosely defined as food intolerance. Instead, these conditions should be more properly defined as adverse food reactions (AFRs), which can consist of the presentation of a wide variety of symptoms which are commonly identified as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In addition, systemic manifestations such as neurological, dermatological, joint, and respiratory disorders may also occur in affected patients. Although the etiology and pathogenesis of some of them are already known, others, such as non-celiac gluten sensitivity and adverse reactions to nickel-containing foods, are not yet fully defined. The study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the ingestion of some foods and the appearance of some symptoms and clinical improvements and detectable immunohistochemical alterations after a specific exclusion diet. One hundred and six consecutive patients suffering from meteorism, dyspepsia, and nausea following the ingestion of foods containing gluten or nickel were subjected to the GSRS questionnaire which was modified according to the "Salerno experts' criteria". All patients underwent detection of IgA antibodies to tissue transglutaminase, oral mucosal patch tests with gluten and nickel (OMPT), and EGDS, including biopsies. Our data show that GSRS and OMPT, the use of APERIO CS2 software, and the endothelial marker CD34 could be suggested as useful tools in the diagnostic procedure of these new pathologies. Larger, multi-center clinical trials could be helpful in defining these emerging clinical problems.

Life-threatening gastrointestinal bleeding caused by jejunal heterotopic gastric mucosa in an adult dog: a rare case report.

BACKGROUND: Heterotopic gastric mucosa has been scarcely reported in the veterinary literature. Its presence can be asymptomatic or associated with various clinical signs ranging from apathy, vomiting, to abdominal pain. This report illustrates the presence of heterotopic gastric mucosa in the jejunum of an adult dog. It is the first to describe severe anemia, requiring acute blood transfusion, following intestinal hemorrhage caused by heterotopic gastric mucosa. CASE PRESENTATION: A twelve-year-old, intact male Maltese dog was presented with a history of apathy, vomiting and anemia. The dog was on a strict diet for recurrent diarrhea, food intolerance and skin allergy. Clinical examination revealed severe anemic mucous membranes and painful abdominal palpation. Blood examination confirmed severe regenerative anemia. Ultrasonography showed an intestinal neoplasm, gall bladder sludge and non-homogeneous liver parenchyma. Three-view thoracic radiographs failed to show any metastatic lesions or enlarged lymph nodes. After initial stabilization and blood transfusion, a midline exploratory laparotomy was performed. Three different masses were found in the jejunum. Resection and anastomosis of approximately 40 cm of jejunum was performed, followed by liver and lymph node biopsy and placement of an esophagostomy tube. Two days after surgery the dog started to clinically improve and was discharged from the hospital on the sixth day after surgery. Histopathology revealed the intestinal masses to be heterotopic gastric mucosa associated with intramural cystic distensions, multifocal ulceration and bleeding into the intestinal lumen. Two years after surgery, the dog did not have a recurrence of anemia or gastrointestinal signs. CONCLUSIONS: This case demonstrates that heterotopic gastric mucosa can be considered one of the differential diagnoses in case of severe anemia due to gastrointestinal hemorrhage and suspected intestinal tumors. Although in most described cases in literature the finding seems to be incidental on necropsy, our report shows that heterotopic gastric mucosa can be the etiology of life-threatening signs. In addition, because no recurrent diarrhea episodes occurred after surgical resection of the ectopic tissue, it is likely that the heterotopic gastric mucosa was the cause of the food intolerance signs in this dog.

Assessment of the Role of Omentopexy in Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: A Tertiary Center Experience.

Background: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is one of the most common bariatric procedures due its high success and low complication rates. However, acid reflux and food intolerance remain drawbacks of the procedure, with high frequency of postoperative gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and eating disorders reported by previous studies. Omentopexy is not a standard technique in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and showed promising results in preventing these sequelae. The present study aimed to evaluate whether omentopexy would decrease the incidence of postoperative GERD, food intolerance, and gastric volvulus without increasing additional complications rates in comparison with laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) without omentopexy. Patients and Methods: Our study included all the patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in our bariatric unit, who were divided into two groups. Group II had the added step of omentopexy. Comparison between both groups was done regarding incidence of acid reflux, food tolerance, and postoperative complications. Results: Omentopexy decreased the incidence of acid reflux, gastric kink, volvulus, and intrathoracic migration. Moreover, food tolerance significantly improved in patients, which in turn led to higher compliance with the postoperative dietary plan and better outcome with regard to weight loss. In addition, omentopexy showed lower incidence of postoperative leakage. Conclusion: Omentopexy is a valuable step in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, which should be considered a standard step in all cases.

Sensibilidad al gluten no celíaca / Non-celiac Gluten sensitivity

Introducción: La sensibilidad al gluten no celíaca es una afección emergente descrita en la última década, mediada por mecanismos inmunes, sin reconocido marcador serológico. Objetivo: Actualizar los conocimientos sobre esta condición, patogenia, diagnóstico y tratamiento. Métodos: Se revisaron las publicaciones en español e inglés en bases de datos de Google académico, PubMed, Scielo y Latindex desde el 2014 hasta el 20 agosto 2018. Resultados: Se trata de una afección no alérgica ni autoinmune. Se analiza su repercusión en niños y adultos. La epidemiología no está establecida, su presencia varía entre 6-10 por ciento, con predominio femenino/masculino 3:1. Se revisaron los criterios sobre la patogenia relacionados con las prolaminas de cereales tóxicos, carbohidratos de cadena corta fermentable e inhibidores de amilasa y tripsina. Se evaluaron los síntomas clínicos (intestinales y extraintestinales) y analizaron los argumentos del diagnóstico definitivo y diferencial con otras enfermedades desencadenadas por gluten. La dieta sin gluten representa la única opción terapéutica. Los síntomas desaparecen con su supresión y reaparecen con su reintroducción. Consideraciones finales: La sensibilidad al gluten no celíaca es una entidad de nueva aparición con participación de procesos inmunes y patogenia sustentada por distintos mecanismos con síntomas intestinales y extraintestinales relacionados con consumo de gluten. El diagnóstico no debe ser por exclusión del gluten, sino evaluación clínica, pues no existe diagnóstico serológico. Hay otras afecciones con similares manifestaciones como enfermedad celíaca, alergia al gluten, síndrome intestino irritable y enteritis linfocítica, con las que se debe hacer diagnóstico diferencial(AU)

Introduction: Non-celiac gluten sensitivity (SGNC, by its acronyms in Spanish) is an emerging condition of the last decade, which is mediated by immune mechanisms without a recognized serological marker. Objective: To update knowledge on SGNC, its pathogenesis, diagnostic and treatment. Methods: Publications in Spanish and English were reviewed in Google scholar, PubMed, SciELO and Latindex databases from 2014 to August 20, 2018. Results: Information about the description of SGNC as a non-allergic or autoimmune condition and impact on children and adults is updated. Epidemiology is not established, although recent studies report that it varies between 6 to 10 percent, with predominance of female / male 3:1. The criteria for the pathogenesis related to the prolamines of toxic cereals, fermentable short chain carbohydrates (FODMAPs) and amylase and trypsin inhibitors are reviewed. The clinical symptoms (intestinal and extraintestinal) were evaluated and it was analyzed the argument established for the diagnosis of certainty and differential with other diseases triggered by gluten, especially celiac disease. The gluten-free diet represents the only treatment option. The symptoms disappear with gluten suppression and reappear when re-introducing it. Final Considerations: SGNC is a new entity mediated by an immune mechanism with pathogenesis supported by different mechanisms with intestinal and extra intestinal symptoms related to gluten consumption. The diagnosis should not be by exclusion of foods that contain gluten, but by clinical evaluation since there is not serological diagnosis. To know better on it is of interest due to other conditions, such as celiac disease, gluten allergy, irritable bowel syndrome and lymphocytic enteritis, which should be made by differential diagnosis(AU)

Inadequate protein intake after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy surgery is associated with a greater fat free mass loss.

BACKGROUND: Low postoperative protein intake may represent a modifiable risk factor that leads to fat free mass (FFM) loss postlaparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), but data concerning this phenomenon is scarce. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association between daily protein intake and relative FFM loss at 6 (M6) and 12 (M12) months after LSG surgery. SETTINGS: Private hospital and university hospital. METHODS: A prospective cohort study with 12 months follow-up of 77 patients who underwent LSG surgery. Anthropometrics including body composition analysis measured by multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis, 3-day food diaries, food intolerance, and habitual physical activity were evaluated at baseline and at M3, M6, and M12. RESULTS: Repeated body composition measurements and food diary were available for 77 patients (45 women) at M6 and for 68 patients at M12. Mean age was 42.7±9.4 years and mean preoperative body mass index was 42.2±4.8 kg/m2. A protein intake of≥60 g/d was achieved in 13.3%, 32.5% and 39.7% of the study participants at M3, M6 and M12, respectively. FFM significantly decreased at M6 and stabilized at M12. Protein intake of≥60 g/d was associated with a significantly lower relative FFM loss at M6 among women (8.9±6.5% versus 12.4±4.1%; P = .039) and this trend was also reported among men (9.5±5.5% versus 13.4±6.0%; P = .068). A logistic regression for the prediction of FFM loss of≥10% at M6, indicated that protein intake≥60 g/d is a strong protective factor (odds ratio = 0.29, 95% confidence interval .09-.96, P = .043). CONCLUSION: Our study supports the currently recommended protein intake goal of≥60 g/d as an efficient strategy for better preservation of FFM post-LSG.