ABSTRACT
Until recently, fermentation was the only processing used to improve the functionality of wheat germ. The release of 2,6-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone (DMBQ) from hydroquinone glycosides during the fermentation process is considered a marker of quality control. Here, we treated wheat germ extract with citric acid (CWG) to release DMBQ and examined the anti-inflammatory activity of this extract using a lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophage model. Treatment of wheat germ with citric acid resulted in detectable release of DMBQ but reduced total phenolic and total flavonoid contents compared with untreated wheat germ extract (UWG). CWG inhibited secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-12 and the synthesis of cyclooxygenase-2, while UWG only decreased IL-12 production. CWG and UWG induced high levels of anti-inflammatory IL-10 and heme oxygenase-1. CWG specifically inhibited phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 and p38 kinase at 15 min after LPS stimulation. Our study showed that citric acid treatment enhanced the anti-inflammatory activity of wheat germ extract.
Subject(s)
Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology , Cell Survival/drug effects , Citric Acid/chemistry , Macrophages, Peritoneal/drug effects , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Triticum/chemistry , Animals , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/chemistry , Cyclooxygenase 2/genetics , Cyclooxygenase 2/metabolism , Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic/drug effects , Interferon-gamma/toxicity , Lipopolysaccharides/toxicity , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/genetics , Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/metabolism , Plant Extracts/chemistryABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The purpose of this report was to review the results of the antegrade continence enema (ACE) procedure and to compare the outcomes of right and left colon ACEs in children. METHODS: Thirty patients who underwent an ACE between 1998 and 2005 were analyzed. Data were obtained based on the following parameters: postoperative soiling, catheter insertion time, colonic washout time, quality of life, and abdominal pain during and after the ACE. Twenty-nine patients were followed for an average of 3.8 years (range, 4 months-7.3 years). RESULTS: Right colon ACEs were performed in 23 patients, and left colon ACEs were performed in 7 patients. The common complications of the ACE included abdominal pain during and after the ACE (51.7%) and stoma strictures (41.4%). The overall ACE success rate was 24/29 (82.8%; right colon ACE, 18/29; left colon ACE, 6/29). Twenty-three patients (95.8%) believed their quality of life was improved. There were no significant differences in complications or outcomes between the right and left ACEs. CONCLUSIONS: An ACE is an effective treatment for children with fecal incontinence. A left colon ACE has similar efficacy as a right colon ACE in managing fecal incontinence in children.