Bovine Colostrum in Increased Intestinal Permeability in Healthy Athletes and Patients: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.

BACKGROUND: Increasing intestinal permeability causes chronic inflammation, which is one of the etiological factors of many diseases that presently constitute global challenges. AIMS: Considering the importance of developing therapies to eliminate the increased intestinal permeability, in this systematic review and meta-analysis, we analyze the impact of bovine colostrum (BC) on the gut barrier and its permeability. METHODS: Online databases, including PubMed, ISI Web of Science, and Scopus, were searched to find pertinent articles up to March 2022. Weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were considered as effect sizes. The random-effects model was used to pool the study results. RESULTS: A total of ten articles were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled effect revealed a significant reduction in the 5-h urinary lactulose/rhamnose ratio after BC consumption [mean difference (MD): -0.24; 95% CI -0.43 to -0.04; I2 = 99%] and urinary lactulose/mannitol ratio (MD: -0.01; 95% CI -0.02 to -0.001; I2 = 29.8%). No differences were observed in the plasma intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (I-FABP) between BC and control groups (MD: 2.30; 95% CI -293.9 to 298.5; I2 = 92%). CONCLUSIONS: BC supplementation significantly reduced intestinal permeability; however, to confirm the results, more randomized clinical trials considering different quality, dose, and duration are needed.

Effect of sour tea supplementation on liver enzymes, lipid profile, blood pressure, and antioxidant status in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of sour tea supplementation in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Seventy NAFLD patients were enrolled in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Participants received sour tea in the form of a 450 mg capsule or a placebo capsule daily for 8 weeks. Anthropometric indices, liver enzymes, lipid profile, blood pressure, and antioxidant status were evaluated at the baseline and at the end of the study. Sixty-one participants completed the study. After 8 weeks, sour tea administration significantly decreased serum triglyceride (TG) (p = .03), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (p = .01), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (p = .004) levels compared with the placebo. In addition, sour tea supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure (SBP) (p = .03) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (p = .04), and a significant increase in serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels (p ˂ .001) compared with the placebo. However, no significant changes in anthropometric measures, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) levels were observed after sour tea supplementation compared with the placebo (p > .05). Sour tea supplementation may be effective in improving serum TG, liver enzymes, and blood pressure in patients diagnosed with NAFLD. Further studies are needed to address the exact mechanism of action of these effects.

Hyponatremia and 30 days mortality of patients with acute pulmonary embolism.

BACKGROUND: Hyponatremia has poor outcomes in other cardiopulmonary disorders, but its predictive value in predicting mortality of patients with acute pulmonary embolism is unknown. So, we evaluate the mortality of inpatients diagnosed with pulmonary embolism (PE) who had hyponatremia at the time of admission. MATERIALS AND METHODS: By conducting a cohort study in patients with acute pulmonary embolism admitted in Al-Zahra Hospital during the 24 months of the date of March 2012 to March 2014. We evaluated 224 patients admitted with a primary diagnosis of PE. We used logistic regression analysis to evaluate the independent relation among serum sodium levels at the time of presentation and 30 days mortality, with severity of illness and other patient risk factors were adjusted. RESULTS: 109 patients (48.7%) had normal sodium level (serum level >137 mmol/L). 115 patients had sodium level bellow 137 mmol/L. Of these, 56 (25%) had a sodium level 135-137 mmol/L and 59 (26.3%) had a sodium level <135 mmol/L. Patients with a serum sodium of >137, 135-137, and <135 mmol/L had a cumulative 30-day mortality of 14%, 21%, and 42% (P < 0.0001), respectively. The mortality of patients with lower serum sodium was significantly increased. When the pulmonary embolism severity index and also its simplified form were replaced in the model and while some confounding variables such patients with a history of cancer, chronic pulmonary disease, heart failure, and chronic renal failure were excluded from statistics, the findings still remained similar. CONCLUSION: Among patients presenting with PE, hyponatremia is common and is an independent risk factor that increasing short-term mortality. This result could be encountered as a variable in determining of PE severity and mortality.

The effect of prophylactic peripapillary administration of methylprednisolone in reducing the risk and severity of postendoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis: A double blind clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The most common complication of diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is acute pancreatitis. A number of therapeutic trials have been studied due to reduce the occurrence of postendoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis (PEP) but many of them were unsuccessful. Periampullary corticosteroid injection was proposed to use as prophylactic agents for PEP because of its anti-inflammatory property with relative low systemic side effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: By conducting a double blinded clinical trial study in a single center university hospital, all patients undergoing therapeutic or diagnostic ERCP in our gastrointestinal endoscopy ward, enrolled the study. During ERCP, we randomly assigned the patients in blocks of 40 to undergo a locally injection of methylprednisolone acetate (corticosteroid group) or saline (control group) on the major papilla and prospectively evaluated the occurrence of PEP pancreatitis in each groups. Clinical and laboratory findings of acute pancreatitis were collected by means of a validated questionnaire during the procedure and before discharge. At baseline and end of the study, were compared pancreatitis prevalence and also its severity by using Chi-square and t-test statistics. RESULTS: The frequency of moderate to severe PEP pain was not significantly between the placebo and corticosteroid receiving group (13.7% ± 3.2% vs. 9.3% ± 2.1%, respectively; P = 0.8). There is no significant difference in the mean concentration of lipase and amylase between corticosteroid receiving group and placebo receiving group at the first, second, and third time. In the corticosteroid receiving group, 3 patients (10.3%) while in the control group, 11 patients (11.3%) developed pancreatitis. CONCLUSION: We found no significant difference in PEP rates and also severity between the corticosteroid and placebo groups. The mean increase in serum amylase and amylase level in pancreatitis patients and the frequency of abdominal pain were not significantly higher in the placebo group. Besides, there were no cases of severe PEP pancreatitis in either group.

Unusual case of adult hemophagocytic syndrome.

Hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) is an uncommon manifestation in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Clinical features of HPS include fever, pancytopenia, abnormal liver enzyme, hepatosplenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, and coagulation disorder. HPS comprises primary and reactive forms. Herein, we describe a case of untreated SLE with HPS as one of the first manifestations of systemic Lupus.

The prediction role of D-dimer in recurrence of venous thromboembolism 1-year after anticoagulation discontinuing following idiopathic deep vein thrombosis.

BACKGROUND: After discontinuing oral anticoagulant therapy (OAT), the recurrence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is greatest in the 1(st) year and gradually diminishes. D-dimer assay was proposed to be effective in selecting patients with idiopathic DVT. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of VTE recurrence after discontinuing OAT according to the results of D-dimer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study was conducted in patients with a first episode of symptomatic proximal deep vein thrombosis (DVT) who had received OAT for at least 3 months. Patients were re-evaluated at 1(st), 6(th) and 12(th) months of their follow-up. At the first (T0) and 30-day (T1) visits, venous blood samples were taken for D-dimer test. At each follow-up visit, we examined patients for clinical symptoms or signs of recurrent VTE, bleeding, postthrombotic manifestations, adherence to treatment, and concomitant analgesic or antiinflammatory therapy. The endpoint outcomes were VTE recurrence and complete of this survey follow-ups. RESULTS: A total of 68 eligible patients was enrolled. Four patients (two patients need to use long-term oral anticoagulation, and two patients lost their first follow-up) were excluded. At T0, D-dimer and compression ultrasonongraphy (CUS) was normal in 28 patients (44%). Moreover, 36 patients had abnormal D-dimer but normal CUS. A follow-up of 12 months was available in 44 patients. During the follow-up, three recurrent events were recorded. All Recurrent events were ipsilateral DVT. Among these index cases, all had an abnormal D-dimer at either T0 and/or T1. The recurrence rate was higher in males than in females (8.6% vs. 2.2%, P = 0.04) with an abnormal D-dimer at T0 and/or T1 with a multivariate hazard ratio of 2.1 (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 1.2-5.2; P = 0.02). Patients older than 65 years had a higher rate of events than younger and hazard ratio was about 3.8 (95% CI: 2.1-4.2; P = 0.02). Patients with recurrences had higher mean D-dimer at both T0 and T1 when compared with those without recurrences, but the difference was significant only for D-dimer at T1 (P = 0.03). During the follow-up, two patients died (3%). CONCLUSION: Within 12 months follow-up, the risk of recurrence with an abnormal D-dimer, either during or at 1-month after discontinuing OAT, was 4.6% which is much lower to the annual risk of recurrence in most studies with idiopathic and provoked VTE. D-dimer has an acceptable prognostic value in detecting recurrence of idiopathic VTE before discontinuing the anticoagulant therapy.

Relative Frequency of Gastrointestinal Functional Disorders in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease Based on Rome IV: A Case-Control Study.

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a digestive system ailment that causes significant bodily disruption. This problem may coexist with other digestive system illnesses. One of the diseases that reduces the quality of life and other disorders is functional dyspepsia (FD), the diagnosis of which is associated with unique limitations. In this study, we aim to investigate the relative frequency of FD in IBD patients and compare it with a healthy control group. Materials and Methods: In a case-control study, we selected a group of IBD patients and healthy controls, and all participants were prepared for a diagnosis of FD symptoms using ROME IV criteria. Data were analyzed and compared using Chi-square and t-test, and P ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Results: There were 100 IBD patients, including 91 with ulcerative colitis and 9 with Crohn's disease (mean age, 41.37 ± 13; 39 males, 61 females). Furthermore, 100 healthy control subjects (mean age, 44.23 ± 14; 38 males, 62 females) were analyzed. 10% of IBD patients met the criteria of FD, which was comparable with the controls (5, 5%) (P > 0.05). Some of the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) including abdominal pain (P = 0.01) and bowel movement (P = 0.02) were significantly higher in IBD patients than in non-IBD subjects. Conclusions: The symptoms of FD were not significantly greater in IBD patients compared to the control group, while IBS symptoms were significantly higher in IBD individuals, indicating a possible overlap of Rome IV IBS and FD.

All-cause mortality of hospitalized inflammatory bowel disease patients: a multicenter study from Iran.

Aim: In this multicenter study, we investigated all causes of mortality in hospitalized inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. Background: The widespread use of biologics and immune suppressive treatments, along with the longer lifespan of patients with IBD, may have changed the cause of death in this population. Knowing this may lead to better preventive and therapeutic strategies for IBD patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study reviewed records of 1926 IBD patients hospitalized in referral hospitals in Isfahan and Shiraz during 2013-2021. In nine years, 84 patients, 39 from Isfahan and 45 from Shiraz, died. We retrospectively gathered data on demographic, clinical, and laboratory information, as well as the cause of death. We extracted the cause of death from the death sheets and classified it using the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). Using the Kaplan-Meier model, we estimated the median survival time from disease diagnosis to death. Results: Males accounted for 47 (55%) of the deceased patients. The mean age of the patients was 48.63 ± 18.7 years. The mortality rates among hospitalized UC and CD patients were 7.2% and 7.8%, respectively. The median duration of admission to death was 8 days, with 19 (22.6%) of IBD patients dying on the first day of their hospital admission. Half of the cohort of deceased IBD patients had survived for 8 years following their disease diagnosis. 32.7% of all recorded causes of death were due to certain infectious diseases. The second and third most common causes of death were diseases of the digestive system and diseases of the circulatory system, including pulmonary embolism, accounting for 30.1% and 14.2%, respectively. Conclusion: According to this study from Iran, infectious diseases are the leading cause of death among hospitalized IBD patients. Prevention and clinical management of pulmonary embolism in IBD patients require more careful consideration. We strongly encourage population-based cohort studies to enhance the findings.

Therapeutics effects of bovine colostrum applications on gastrointestinal diseases: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Evidence on the effects of bovine colostrum (BC) supplementation on gastrointestinal (GI) diseases is conflicting. OBJECTIVES: This systematic review summarized the findings of clinical trials (CTs) on the effects of BC supplementation on GI diseases. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in online databases, including PubMed, ISI Web of Science, and Scopus, until March 2021 and updated until December 2023. CTs investigated BC's effect on any measurable symptomatic change in terms of GI health as the primary outcome variable or as one of the outcomes in any population eligible for this systematic review. RESULTS: Out of 6881 records, 22 CTs (uncontrolled = 4, cross-over = 1, and parallel = 17) with 1427 patients were enrolled in the systematic review. Diarrhea, the most frequently evaluated symptom (20 interventional arms), was decreased in frequency with BC supplementation in 15 of these arms. However, most studies reported no change in its duration. BC supplementation consistently reduced stool frequency across all seven studies. Abdominal pain relief was noted in four interventional arms but showed no improvement in five others. Assessment of other GI symptoms was limited, yielding inconclusive results. CONCLUSIONS: There is limited evidence on the effects of BC on GI diseases, with mixed findings. More well-designed controlled clinical trials are required to explore its effects.

Venous thrombosis in subclavian, axillary, brachial veins with extension to internal jugular vein, right sigmoid sinus and simultaneous pulmonary embolism.

We present a rare case of Venous Thrombosis in Subclavian, Axillary, Brachial Veins with extension to Internal Jugular vein, right sigmoid sinus and simultaneous Pulmonary embolism during the treatment with low molecular weight heparin.

Duplication of the inferior vena cava and thrombosis: A rare case.

Duplication of inferior vena cava (IVC) is a rare finding in radiologic studies and its coincidence with thrombosis is even rarer. Here we described a rare case with duplication of IVC and symptomatic venous thrombosis of her lower extrimity.

Comparing the "simplified revised Geneva score", the "original PESI", and the "simplified PESI" for mortality prediction for pulmonary embolism. A 10 years follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this research was to investigate and compare the utilization of the revised Geneva score, original PESI, and simplified PESI in predicting the long-term mortality rate of patients with pulmonary embolism (PE). METHODS: This retrospective investigation was conducted in Isfahan between June 2014 and July 2015 on patients with PE who were referred to our medical center. In this study, the revised Geneva score, the original PESI scales, and the simplified PESI scales were utilized. Additionally, diagnostic and treatment procedures were done in accordance with the standard protocol. We collected data of patients including gender, age, any risk factors for venous thromboembolism. After the primary data collection, contacts were made to the patients or their relatives for gathering information about patient's survival. The mortality rates of patients were determined within 10 years after the PE. RESULTS: We analyzed data of 224 patients. Over a 131-month course of following up 224 patients, 105 deaths occurred that were related to PE. The initial PESI factor had a positive and negative predictive value of 83%. Patients with PE who scored extremely high on the PESI had a mortality and morbidity rate 42 times (9.22-87.32) greater than those with PE who scored very low. Furthermore, the death and morbidity rate of high-risk PE patients was 5% (0.67-1.70) in the Geneva score and 62% (0.30-2.31) in the simplified PESI score. CONCLUSION: The use of original PESI score could predict the long-term mortality of PE patients more accurately than other scores.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence and clinical features of upper gastrointestinal (UGI) tract Crohn's disease in adults compared to non-UGI types.

Background and Aim: Crohn's disease is an inflammatory condition that affects the gastrointestinal (GI) system. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of upper gastrointestinal Crohn's disease (UGICD) and compare its features to non-UGICD types. Methods: We conducted a systematic search in the databases PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The heterogeneity of prevalence estimates was examined, subgroup analyses were carried out, and meta-analyses were conducted using random-effects modeling. Prognostic data were qualitatively reviewed and combined. Results: Two-thousand nine-hundred and forty studies were retrieved and 32 studies were included in the final analysis. Pooled prevalence of UGICD was 15% (CI: 11-18%) among 14 509 patients. UGICD prevalence did not show any significant increase with time (P = 0.45). The most prevalent (38%, CI: 30-47%) behavior of UGICD was B1 (nonstricturing-nonpenetrating), while the most common concurrent location was L3 (ileocolon) with a prevalence of 47% (CI: 34-59%). UGICD patients had higher stricturing phenotype (B2) compared to non-UGICD (0.38 vs 0.30; P = 0.03). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of UGICD between patients classified according to the Montreal or Vienna classification. Stricturing phenotype was more common among Asian patients compared to Western patients (0.44 vs 0.24; P < 0.001). UGICD was a risk factor for surgery and drug therapy and was associated with an aggressive course of the disease and more resections. Pooled prevalence of UGICD was 15%. Conclusion: Nonstricturing-nonpenetrating type was the most prevalent UGICD. UGICD patients had more complications and worse outcomes compared to non-UGICD patients.

Effects of lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet vs. standard-weight-loss diet on obese and overweight adults with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomised clinical trial.

The aim of the study was to compare the effects of a lacto-ovo-vegetarian diet (LOV-D) vs. a standard weight-loss diet (SWL-D) on obese/overweight adults with NAFLD. Present randomised clinical trial recruited 75 overweight/obese adults with NAFLD, who were randomly assigned into LOV-D and SWL-D groups for 3 months. The LOV-D was designed based on eliminating meat, poultry, and fish; while including dairy products and eggs. The SWL-D was planned according to the standard food pyramid, which was free in all sources of food. Adherence to LOV-D significantly outperformed SWL-D in reducing levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), body weight, waist circumference, BMI, fasting blood sugar, insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), triacylglycerol (TG), cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and systolic blood pressure (SBP). Furthermore, ultrasonography revealed a higher alleviation in NAFLD grade among LOV-D, compared with SWL-D. This study suggests that adherence to LOV-D for 3 months has beneficial effects on NAFLD improvement, anthropometric measures, glycaemic-related markers, and lipid profiles.

The association between dietary patterns and the risk of developing ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND: Ulcerative colitis is a recurrent inflammatory disorder of the colonic mucosa with a growing global prevalence. Diet is known as a key factor related to the risk of developing UC. This study aimed to determine the association between dietary patterns and UC risk. METHODS: In this case-control study, participants' dietary data were recorded using a 168-item Food Frequency Questionnaire, and then the obtained information was classified into 33 food groups. To identify major dietary patterns, a factor analysis method was applied. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify the association between identified dietary patterns and UC risk. RESULTS: Data of 81 patients, who suffered from UC, and 163 healthy controls were assessed. Three dietary patterns were identified and named as "western", "traditional", and "healthy" dietary patterns. After the potential confounders were taken into account, the healthy dietary pattern was associated with a reduced odds of UC (OR = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.08-0.57, p < 0.05), whilst the traditional dietary pattern was related to a greater risk of the disease (OR = 4.67, 95% CI = 3.55-23.36, p < 0.05). However, we failed to find any significant relationship between the western dietary pattern and UC risk. CONCLUSION: The present study suggested that adherence to a healthy diet might decrease the risk of developing UC, whereas, following Iranian traditional dietary patterns could enhance the odds of the outcome.

Development of a Patient Decision Aid to Help People Living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

BACKGROUND: Patient decision aid (PDA) is a tool, which helps the improvement of shared decisionmaking and is a part of the paradigm shift from physician-centered decisions to patient-centered shared decision making. In this study, we aimed to describe the process used to develop a PDA for facilitating shared decision-making about treatment in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who need medication (corticosteroid, azathioprine, anti-TNF, and infliximab) or surgery. METHODS: The development process of PDA included: 1) The development of a prototype based on literature review and interview 2) 'Alpha' testing with patients and clinicians 3) 'Beta' testing in real conditions and 4) The production of a final version. This process took about 12 months (2019-2020). The participants were adult patients with IBD, gastroenterologists, and nurses. RESULTS: The final PDA contains four important sections: 1) Introduction about IBD disease, the purpose of developing PDA, and emphasis on shared decision-making 2) Benefits and risks of main medicines 3) The success rate as well as the incidence of complications after surgery, and 4) The conclusion about patients' satisfaction with PDA to choose the treatment options. Besides, PDA evaluation in the real world setting showed that 100% of physicians (n=4) and 86% of patients (n=12) were completely satisfied with the content of the PDA and considered it applicable and useful. CONCLUSION: This PDA can help patients participate in the shared decision-making process and select the best medical and surgical treatment methods. The feedback received from clinicians and patients showed their satisfaction with using the PDA.

Correlation of Treatment of Peptic Ulcer Bleeding by Argon Plasma Coagulation (APC) via Contact Heat Probe Method (heater probe) with Epinephrine Injection.

BACKGROUND This clinical investigation aimed to compare the efficacy of treatment of peptic ulcer hemorrhage by argon plasma coagulation (APC) via contact heat probe method (heater probe) along with epinephrine injection. METHODS 100 patients who underwent endoscopic treatment, were randomly divided into two groups consisting of 50 patients each. In the first group, an intervention was performed using foot pedal and 2.3 mm and 3.2 mm argon probes placed in a 2 to 8 mm distance of delivery place leading to plasma coagulation, sufficient necrosis and hemostasis. In the second group, wound press contact probe was used for wound healing with 15 watts of heat for about 25 degrees, causing coagulation and hemostasis. To evaluate and compare the ulcer treatment in both groups, the patient progress results were monitored for a period of one month from the day of discharge. Statistical analyses of data were performed using SPSS software version 22 along with Chi-square test and T-test. RESULTS No significant difference observed in two groups in term of age, sex and clinical symptoms, but patients treated with APC method had higher hemoglobin levels (p < 0.001). The duration of intervention and abdominal bloating in APC group was significantly higher with two cases of re-admission. In HP group, 3 cases (6.3%) had treatment failure and an average transfused blood was significantly higher in the HP group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Endoscopy treatment duration was significantly lower in patients treated with the HP method due to separate washing route. HP method seems to be more appropriate for treatment of cases with abdominal bloating, distal gastric lesion and HP bulbs.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Registry and Monitoring: Feasibility Study and Application (Isfahan Inflammatory Bowel Disease Surveillance Project).

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) incidence has been increased in Iran as a developing country. Surveillance is a standard method for accessing valid data about disease epidemiology to make relevant decisions for disease control, prevention, and management. We designed Isfahan IBD Surveillance Project (IISP) to make a surveillance system in this area. METHODS: The project is designed in 3 phases. At the first phase, a model of step-wise approach (core, expanded core, and optional variables) for IBD surveillance was designed and implemented among IBD patients registered at a major referral gastrointestinal diseases clinic in Isfahan. Data bank program and its software were designed with suitable and multifunctional features. A total of 352 IBD cases were registered to data bank and analyzed as a pilot study of IISP. RESULTS: A total of 352 IBD patients, including 245 ulcerative colitis (UC), 80 Crohn's disease (CD), and 27 indeterminate colitis, were registered to the data bank. Bloody stool and abdominal cramp were the most common presentation symptom among UC and CD, respectively. Extensive pancolitis was the most prevalent phenotype (40%) of UC. Over two-thirds of our IBD patients were in remission states. Biologic agents had been prescribed in about 10% of patients during disease. Primary sclerosing cholangitis was detected in about 7% and 10% of CD and UC patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Valid data from a standard surveillance system are a relevant, trustworthy tool for making decision by health policy-makers. Integrated comprehensive interventional programs for disease control and management is the second phase of IISP.

Polymorphism of the promoter region of C-509T of transforming growth factor-beta1 gene and ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND: Transforming growth factor-beta is a regulatory protein that plays a key role in inflammatory, fibrotic, and immunological events in the intestinal mucosa. Recently, attention has been focused on the role of transforming growth factor-beta in the etiopathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. Enhanced expression of transforming growth factor-beta mRNA in the lamina propria and a disordered expression pattern of transforming growth factor-beta1 receptors I and II in epithelial cells have been documented in the colonic mucosa of patients with ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Based on these associations, we report in this study, the restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction and allele frequencies of the transforming growth factor-beta gene polymorphisms in a population of Iranian patients with ulcerative colitis and healthy controls. We analyzed whether these two polymorphisms are related with the disease characteristics. METHODS: One hundred fifty-seven (75 males and 82 females) unrelated patients with ulcerative colitis attending the Departments of Gastroenterology, Nemazi and Faghihi Hospitals, affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran were enrolled into this study. Ninety-four age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers with no history of chronic bloody diarrhea and abdominal pain (41 males and 53 females) served as the control group. The change at position -509 (C/T) of the transforming growth factor-beta1 gene was studied using restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction in this study. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 36.4 (range: 23 - 51) years. The genotype at position -509 (C/T) in 58 (37%) patients with ulcerative colitis, and 39 (41.5%) normal subjects, were homozygous as CC. In addition, 65 (41.5%) patients and 44 (47%) normal individuals were heterozygous as CT. Thirty-four (21.5%) of 157 patients, and 11 (11.5%) of 94 normal individuals, were homozygous as TT. There was no statistically significant difference between patients and normal female individuals in respect to genotype distribution and allele frequency at the said position (P = 0.138). CONCLUSION: No association could be found between transforming growth factor-beta1 -509 (C/T) promoter gene polymorphism and patients with ulcerative colitis.