RESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: Transcribed ultraconserved region (T-UCR) uc.261 is reported to participate in intestinal mucosa barrier damage in Crohn's disease (CD). The aim of this study was to determine the association with disease activity and intestinal permeability. METHODS: Uc.261 level in colon mucosa and Harvey-Bradshaw Index (HBI) were evaluated in 20 active CD patients. Uc.261 expression and transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) were determined in Caco2 and T84 cells treated with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), respectively. Body weight, disease activity index (DAI), colon length, histological index (HI), intestinal permeability to FITC-dextran, uc.261, and tight junction proteins (TJPs) levels were evaluated in BALB/C mice treated with saline enema, trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)/ethanol enema, and anti-TNF-α monoclonal antibody injection, respectively. RESULTS: Uc.261 expression was overexpressed in CD patients, TNF-α treated cells, and colitis mice. Uc.261 expression was positively correlated with HBI (r = 0.582, p = 0.007) in CD patients, and positively correlated with TNF-α concentration and negatively correlated TEER in Caco2 and T84 cells (all p < 0.05). Furthermore, uc.261 was positively correlated with DAI (r = 0.824, p = 0.008), HI (r = 0.672, p = 0.021), and intestinal permeability (r = 0.636, p = 0.012), while negatively correlated with body weight (r = -0.574, p = 0.035), colon length (r = -0.866, p = 0.017), and TJP expression (all p < 0.05) in colitis mice. CONCLUSIONS: Uc.261 expression was closely correlated with disease activity and intestinal permeability in CD. Anti-TNF-α treatment may play its role through suppressing uc.261 expression in colitis mice.
RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Combizym treatment in Chinese patients with dyspepsia. METHODS: In this multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled cross-over study, a total of 151 patients (76 men and 75 women, mean age: 44.67 +/- 6.46 years, range: 22-67 years) with dyspepsia whose symptoms were not relieved by placebos were recruited. They were randomly divided into group A (79 patients, 2 weeks of Combizym treatment, two tablets post-meal, t.i.d.; then 1 week of wash-out, followed by 2 weeks of placebo treatment, two tablets post-meal, t.i.d.) or group B (72 patients, 2 weeks of placebo treatment, two tablets post-meal, t.i.d. then one week of wash-out, followed by 2 weeks of Combizym treatment, 2 tablets post-meal, t.i.d.). The index of severity of the dyspepsia symptoms was evaluated before and after each treatment phase with Combizym or the placebo. RESULTS: Compared with the placebo, 2 weeks of Combizym treatment decreased the severity index of dyspepsia symptoms significantly (27.64 +/- 1.77 to 9.72 +/- 1.33 vs 23.99 +/- 1.28 to 22.03 +/- 1.40, P < 0.01). The efficacy rates of Combizym and the placebo on dyspepsia were 89.63% and 21.68%, respectively (P < 0.01). According to the improvement of symptoms index, individual dyspepsia symptoms that could be attenuated by Combizym therapy were anepithymia, abdominal distension, belching, diarrhea, abdominal pain, epigastric burning. None of patients reported adverse events during the study. CONCLUSION: Combizym treatment effectively ameliorates dyspepsia symptoms in Chinese patients, with satisfactory safety and compliance.