Oral Administration of Alcohol-Tolerant Lactic Acid Bacteria Alleviates Blood Alcohol Concentration and Ethanol-Induced Liver Damage in Rodents.

Excessive alcohol consumption can have serious negative consequences on health, including addiction, liver damage, and other long-term effects. The causes of hangovers include dehydration, alcohol and alcohol metabolite toxicity, and nutrient deficiency due to absorption disorders. Additionally, alcohol consumption can slow reaction times, making it more difficult to rapidly respond to situations that require quick thinking. Exposure to a large amount of ethanol can also negatively affect a person's righting reflex and balance. In this study, we evaluated the potential of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) to alleviate alcohol-induced effects and behavioral responses. Two LAB strains isolated from kimchi, Levilactobacillus brevis WiKim0168 and Leuconostoc mesenteroides WiKim0172, were selected for their ethanol tolerance and potential to alleviate hangover symptoms. Enzyme activity assays for alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) were then conducted to evaluate the role of these bacteria in alcohol metabolism. Through in vitro and in vivo studies, these strains were assessed for their ability to reduce blood alcohol concentrations and protect against alcohol-induced liver damage. The results indicated that these LAB strains possess significant ethanol tolerance and elevate ADH and ALDH activities. LAB administration remarkably reduced blood alcohol levels in rats after excessive alcohol consumption. Moreover, the LAB strains showed hepatoprotective effects and enhanced behavioral outcomes, highlighting their potential as probiotics for counteracting the adverse effects of alcohol consumption. These findings support the development of functional foods incorporating LAB strains that can mediate behavioral improvements following alcohol intake.

Correlation of timed barium esophagography with Eckardt score in primary achalasia patients treated with peroral endoscopic myotomy.

PURPOSE: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the role of timed barium esophagogram (TBE) in quantitative measurement of improved esophageal emptying in primary achalasia patients treated with POEM. Also, we investigated the correlation of TBE with improvement of clinical symptoms as measured by Eckardt score. METHODS: This retrospective study included 30 patients who underwent POEM due to primary achalasia. As a baseline study, all patients underwent TBE and were evaluated for clinical status by Eckardt score based on presence and frequency of dysphagia, regurgitation, substernal pain, and weight loss. Follow-up evaluation was performed within 3 months after POEM. Pre- and post-POEM TBE results were compared using a calculated value based on summation of height of the barium columns on 1-, 2- and 5-min delayed images. Also, the correlation of TBE with improvement of Eckardt score was evaluated using Pearson's correlation test. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in the calculated value of height between pre- and post-POEM TBE studies (40.5 ± 15.8-17.0 ± 11.6, p < 0.01). Also, the Eckardt score decreased significantly after POEM (6.7 ± 2.0-0.8 ± 1.0, p < 0.01). Pearson's correlation test revealed a positive correlation between improvement of TBE results and Eckardt score (correlation coefficient = 0.56, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: TBE is an objective method for quantitative measurement of improved esophageal emptying in primary achalasia patients treated with POEM and shows positive correlation with clinical symptoms evaluated by Eckardt score.

Ascaris-mimicking common bile duct stone: A case report.

BACKGROUND: In most cases, it is not difficult to differentiate common bile duct (CBD) stone from Ascaris infection because they are different disease entities and have different imaging findings. The two diseases usually demonstrate unique characteristic findings on computed tomography or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography. However, we report a rare case from our experience in which a CBD stone mimicked and was misdiagnosed as Ascaris. CASE SUMMARY: A 72-year-old male presented with elevated serum liver enzymes. Computed tomography showed a hyper-attenuated, elongated lesion in the CBD lumen and associated biliary inflammation. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography revealed a linear filling defect in the bile duct. Moreover, elongated echogenic material with a central hypoechogenic area was seen on endoscopic ultrasound. Although the imaging findings caused us to suspect infection with the nematode Ascaris, the lesion was revealed to be a dark-brown-colored CBD stone through endoscopic extraction. CONCLUSION: We report a rare case of a CBD stone that mimicked Ascaris. We also review the literature for side-by-side comparisons of the imaging features of CBD stones and ascariasis.