Risk factors for postoperative bleeding and early death in percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy: A multicenter retrospective study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Comprehensive reports on the risk factors for bleeding and early death after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) are limited. In this multicenter study, we retrospectively investigated the risk factors for bleeding and early death after PEG. METHODS: Patients (n = 1234) who underwent PEG between 2015 and 2020 at Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University and its affiliated hospitals (11 institutions in total) were evaluated for postoperative bleeding and early death (within 60 days) after PEG according to patient characteristics, construction method, medical history, medications, preoperative hematological findings, and perioperative adverse events. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify independent predictors of bleeding and early death after PEG. RESULTS: The risk factors for bleeding after PEG were PEG tube insertion using the modified introducer method (odds ratio [OR], 4.37; P = 0.0003), low platelet count (OR, 0.99; P = 0.014), antiplatelet therapy (OR, 2.11; P = 0.036), and heparinization (OR, 4.50; P = 0.007). Risk factors for early death were low body mass index (BMI) (OR, 0.89; P = 0.015), low serum albumin levels (OR, 0.50; P = 0.035), and comorbidity of active cancer (OR, 4.03; P < 0.0001). There was no significant association between bleeding and early death after PEG. CONCLUSIONS: We identified several risk factors for bleeding and early death after PEG. Risk factors for bleeding were PEG tube insertion using the modified introducer method, low platelet count, antiplatelet therapy, and heparinization. Risk factors for early death were low BMI, low serum albumin levels, and comorbidity of active cancer.

Therapy of gastroesophageal reflux disease and functional dyspepsia overlaps with symptoms after usual-dose proton pump inhibitor: Acotiamide plus usual-dose proton pump inhibitor versus double-dose proton pump inhibitor.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and functional dyspepsia (FD) often coexist or overlap. In this study, the efficacy of acotiamide in combination with a standard dose of rabeprazole for GERD and FD was compared with that of a double dose of rabeprazole. METHODS: Patients with overlap between GERD and FD experiencing heartburn and epigastric fullness symptoms after standard-dose proton pump inhibitor (PPI) for ≥ 8 weeks were randomized into two groups and received either acotiamide 300 mg/day + rabeprazole 10 mg/day or rabeprazole 20 mg/day for 4 weeks. Efficacy was assessed by reductions in symptom scores using the Izumo scale questionnaire and modified F-scale questionnaire. RESULTS: As the primary endpoint, three upper gastrointestinal symptoms (heartburn, epigastralgia, and epigastric fullness) were reduced by ≥ 50% in 40.8% and 46.9% of patients in the combination and PPI double-dose groups, respectively, with no significant difference between the two groups. Essentially similar results were obtained for the modified F-scale questionnaire. No serious adverse events were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Acotiamide 300 mg/day in combination with rabeprazole 10 mg/day or rabeprazole 20 mg/day relieved symptoms in patients with overlap between GERD and FD experiencing heartburn and epigastric fullness symptoms after standard-dose PPI for ≥ 8 weeks, and the efficacies did not differ between the two treatments. The combination therapy may be an alternative option for persistent symptoms in these patients.

Does the Novel Potassium-Competitive Acid Blocker Vonoprazan Cause More Hypergastrinemia than Conventional Proton Pump Inhibitors? A Multicenter Prospective Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The long-term administration of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) is useful for preventing recurrent reflux esophagitis. On the other hand, several adverse reactions, such as an increase in the blood gastrin level, have been reported. The aim of the present study was to examine the increase in the blood gastrin level due to the long-term administration of conventional PPIs compared with vonoprazan. METHODS: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted. We examined the blood gastrin levels of patients taking vonoprazan or conventional PPIs in whom the grade of atrophic gastritis had been endoscopically evaluated in the last year. RESULTS: The blood gastrin level was significantly higher in the vonoprazan group than that in the PPI group in patients with milder or no atrophic gastritis, irrespective of the administration periods. However, no significant difference was observed between the groups in patients with severe atrophic gastritis. CONCLUSION: Vonoprazan more markedly increased the blood gastrin level compared with conventional PPIs in patients with milder or no atrophic gastritis. This indicates that vonoprazan may have stronger acid-suppressing effects in such patients than conventional PPIs. Key Message: We should be aware of the potential development of hypergastrinemia during the long-term administration of vonoprazan, especially in patients with mild or no atrophic gastritis.

Endoscopic Fibrin Glue Injection with Coaxial Double Lumen Needle for Severe Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding.

Although endoscopic hemostasis is an effective treatment for acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding, permanent hemostasis may be difficult to achieve by conventional endoscopic treatment alone in some patients. In addition, conventional hemostatic endoscopic therapy is limited in patients with a risk of gastrointestinal ulcer perforation. We tried endoscopic fibrin glue injection in 21 patients as a new approach to control severe upper gastrointestinal bleeding. A new type of coaxial double lumen needle was used in the last 15 patients. Hemostasis was obtained immediately by fibrin glue injection in all 7 patients after unsuccessful attempts using conventional methods, including absolute alcohol or epinephrine injection, clipping, or electrocoagulation. There were no episodes of rebleeding in this group. In 10 of the 14 patients who underwent endoscopic fibrin glue injection as the primary therapy, complete hemostasis was achieved with the initial treatment. The remaining 4 required a second injection within 48 hours. There were no treatment-related complications. None of the patients required an additional surgical operation for bleeding, and the period of hospitalization was reduced after the introduction of fibrin glue injection. Considering the effect on acceleration of ulcer healing, endoscopic fibrin glue injection is an effective treatment with no risk of tissue injury. This technique can be used as the first choice or after failure of conventional endoscopic hemostatic methods.

Immunoproliferative small intestinal disease with protein loss complicated with duodenal T cell lymphoma during progression.

A 52-year-old man was admitted to our hospital in October 2001 with abdominal pain. Abdominal X-ray indicated a diagnosis of ileus. Histopathological and immunological examination resulted in a diagnosis of immunoproliferative small intestinal disease (IPSID). He was treated with THP-COP therapy (pirarubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisolone), which resulted in complete remission. Outpatient follow-up revealed hypoalbuminemia in May 2003 and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed duodenal mucosal nodularity. He was diagnosed with relapsed IPSID and salvage chemotherapy was started. Follow-up endoscopy confirmed that the therapy was effective, but uncovered another duodenal mucosal nodularity. Immunohistochemical staining revealed T-cell lymphoma. Chemotherapy was discontinued and the patient died in December 2004.

Bacterial superantigen-treated intestinal epithelial cells upregulate heat shock proteins 25 and 72 and are resistant to oxidant cytotoxicity.

While the pathological events evoked by infection are commonly described, effective host responses to bacteria and their products should primarily be protective. Heat shock protein (Hsp) expression is upregulated by many stimuli and serves to maintain intracellular protein integrity. The ability of the prototypic superantigen, Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin B (SEB) to induce Hsps was investigated with BALB/c mice and by in vitro addition to the murine small intestinal epithelial cell line MSIE. SEB-treated (5 or 100 microg intraperitoneally) mice revealed increased Hsp25 and Hsp72, but not Hsc73, in jejunal lymphocytes and epithelial cells. A similar Hsp response to SEB occurred in MSIE cells and was preceded by activation of the ERK1/2 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases but not the SAPK/JNK pathway; pharmacological inhibition of ERK1/2, but not p38, significantly reduced SEB-induced Hsps. Moreover, SEB-treated MSIE cells were protected against oxidant-induced cytotoxicity (measured by 51Cr release) and F-actin depolymerization. Thus, SEB exposure results in a rapid induction of the Hsp25 and Hsp72 in intestinal epithelial cells, both directly and through lymphocyte activation, and we suggest that this event is important in protecting the gut from damage by Staphylococcus infection or in the reparatory process and may be a generalized response to lumen-derived bacterial toxins.

Enteric flora and lymphocyte-derived cytokines determine expression of heat shock proteins in mouse colonic epithelial cells.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Inducible heat shock proteins (hsps), particularly hsp25 and hsp72, are expressed by surface colonocytes and may have a role in protecting intestinal epithelial cells against injury. This study is aimed at determining if enteric bacteria and/or immune signals regulate their physiologic expression. METHODS: Intestinal hsp25, hsp72, and constitutive hsc73 expression were studied in immunodeficient RAG-1(-/-) mice and in normal mice. Mucosal permeability was measured by mannitol flux and transepithelial resistance. Hsp expression in intestinal YAMC cells was assessed after incubation with recombinant cytokines, activated lamina propria lymphocytes (LPLs), or Bacteroides fragilis. RESULTS: Chronic metronidazole treatment decreases colonic mucosal hsp25 and hsp72 expression, an effect associated with increased susceptibility of mucosal barrier function to C. difficile toxin A. Hsp expression also was increased in YAMC cells incubated with B. fragilis, an effect mediated by lipopolysaccharide and other bacteria-derived factors. Colonic hsp72, but not hsp25 or hsc73, expression is decreased in RAG-1(-/-) mice. Recombinant IL-2 and other cytokines enhance YAMC hsp25 and/or hsp72 expression. Activated LPLs induce YAMC hsp expression, an effect blocked by IL-2 neutralizing antibody. CONCLUSIONS: Enteric flora and mucosal lymphocytes play a role in maintaining physiologic expression of colonocyte hsp25 and hsp72.

Escherichia coli LPS induces heat shock protein 25 in intestinal epithelial cells through MAP kinase activation.

Protection of colonic epithelial integrity and function is critical, because compromises in mucosal functions can lead to adverse and potentially life-threatening effects. The gut flora may contribute to this protection, in part, through the sustained induction of cytoprotective heat shock proteins (HSPs) in surface colonocytes. In this study, we investigated whether Escherichia coli LPS mediates bacteria-induced HSP by using cultured young adult mouse colon (YAMC) cells, an in vitro model of the colonic epithelium. E. coli LPS led to an epithelial cell-type specific induction of HSP25 in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, an effect that did not involve changes in HSP72. YAMC cells expressed the toll-like receptors (TLR)2 and TLR4 but not the costimulatory CD14 molecule. Whereas LPS stimulated both the p38 and ERK1/2 but not the stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun NH(2)-terminal kinase, signaling pathways in the YAMC cells, all three were stimulated in RAW macrophage cells (in which no LPS-induced HSP25 expression was observed). The p38 inhibitor SB-203580 and the MAP kinase kinase-1 inhibitor PD-98059 inhibited HSP25 induction by LPS. LPS treatment also conferred protection against actin depolymerization induced by the oxidant monochloramine. The HSP25 dependence of the LPS protective effect was outlined in inhibitor studies and through adenovirus-mediated overexpression of HSP25. In conclusion, LPS may be an important mediator of enteric bacteria-induced expression of intestinal epithelial HSP25, an effect that may contribute to filamentous actin stabilization under physiological as well as pathophysiological conditions and thus protection of colonic epithelial integrity.

Probiotics inhibit nuclear factor-kappaB and induce heat shock proteins in colonic epithelial cells through proteasome inhibition.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The extent and severity of mucosal injury in inflammatory bowel diseases are determined by the disequilibrium between 2 opposing processes: reparative and cytoprotective mechanisms vs. inflammation-induced injury. Probiotics may provide clinical benefit by ameliorating colitis; however, their mechanisms of action remain largely unknown. Our objective was to investigate microbial-epithelial interactions that could explain the beneficial therapeutic effects of probiotics. METHODS: The effect of VSL#3-conditioned media on the nuclear factor-kappaB pathway in young adult mouse colonic epithelial cells was assessed by using monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays; IkappaBalpha, IkappaBbeta, and p105 immunoblot analysis; and nuclear factor-kappaB luciferase reporter gene and proteasome assays. Effects on heat shock proteins were determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay and immunoblot for heat shock proteins 25 and 72 in young adult mouse colonic cells. Cytoprotection against oxidant injury was determined by chromium 51 release and filamentous and globular actin assays. RESULTS: VSL#3 produces soluble factors that inhibit the chymotrypsin-like activity of the proteasome in gut epithelial cells. Proteasome inhibition is an early event that begins almost immediately after exposure of the epithelial cells to the probiotic-conditioned media. In addition, these bacteria inhibit the proinflammatory nuclear factor-kappaB pathway through a mechanism different from the type III secretory mechanisms described for other nonpathogenic enteric flora. They also induce the expression of cytoprotective heat shock proteins in intestinal epithelial cells. CONCLUSIONS: The resulting inhibition of nuclear factor-kappaB and increased expression of heat shock proteins may account for the anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective effects reported for probiotics and may be a novel mechanism of microbial-epithelial interaction. These effects seem to be mediated through the common unifying mechanism of proteasome inhibition.

Lactoferrin in whole gut lavage fluid as a marker for disease activity in inflammatory bowel disease: comparison with other neutrophil-derived proteins.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated which neutrophil-derived proteins in whole gut lavage fluid (WGLF) most accurately reflect disease activity in inflammatory bowel disease. METHODS: WGLF was obtained from patients undergoing whole gut lavage as a bowel preparation for colonoscopy. Twenty-seven patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), 23 patients with Crohn's disease (CD), and 35 control subjects were examined. The concentrations of lactoferrin, polymorphonuclear neutrophil elastase (PMN-E), myeloperoxidase, and lysozyme in WGLF were measured by ELISA. For the assessment of stability, WGLF samples were stored at 37 degrees C for various periods. RESULTS: In UC, the concentrations of lactoferrin, myeloperoxidase, and lysozyme in WGLF had good correlations with colonoscopic grading. Zero, 12, five, and 10 of 28 samples from active UC patients showed normal concentrations of lactoferrin, PMN-E, myeloperoxidase, and lysozyme, respectively. In CD, the concentrations of lactoferrin and myeloperoxidase had good correlations with the Crohn's disease activity index. Thirteen and seven of 36 samples from inactive CD patients (Crohn's disease activity index < or = 150) showed high concentrations of lactoferrin and myeloperoxidase, respectively. Most of them (11/13, 6/7) were found to have ulceration by colonoscopy or small bowel x-ray. The ratio of the lactoferrin concentration in the WGLF supernatant to that in total WGLF was highest among these proteins in all disease groups and control subjects. Lactoferrin and myeloperoxidase showed good stability in WGLF, whereas PMN-E and lysozyme did not. CONCLUSION: Lactoferrin is the most suitable of these proteins for use as a neutrophil-derived WGLF marker of intestinal inflammation.