Probiotic lactobacilli as a promising strategy to ameliorate disorders associated with intestinal inflammation induced by a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.

Damage to the small intestine caused by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) occurs more frequently than in the upper gastrointestinal tract, is more difficult to diagnose and no effective treatments exist. Hence, we investigated whether probiotics can control the onset of this severe condition in a murine model of intestinal inflammation induced by the NSAID, indomethacin. Probiotic supplementation to mice reduce the body weight loss, anemia, shortening of the small intestine, cell infiltration into the intestinal tissue and the loss of Paneth and Goblet cells associated with intestinal inflammation. Furthermore, a high antimicrobial activity in the intestinal fluids of mice fed with probiotics compared to animals on a conventional diet was elicited against several pathogens. Interestingly, probiotics dampened the oxidative stress and several local and systemic markers of an inflammatory process, as well as increased the secretion of IL-10 by regulatory T cells. Even more importantly, probiotics induced important changes in the large intestine microbiota characterized by an increase in anaerobes and lactobacilli, and a significant decrease in total enterobacteria. We conclude that oral probiotic supplementation in NSAID-induced inflammation increases intestinal antimicrobial activity and reinforces the intestinal epithelial barrier in order to avoid pathogens and commensal invasion and maintain intestinal homeostasis.

La Tomasa reduce parámetros metabólicos e inflamatorios asociados a síndrome metabólico en un modelo murino / Tomasa reduces metabolic and inflammatory parameters associated with metabolic syndrome in a murine model

In our country, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the main cause of death. Unhealthy eating habits and sedentary lifestyles, among other factors, have contributed to increase the risk for CDV in the population. An alternative to the commonly used pharmacological therapies is the use of validated natural products that can be incorporated in the development of functional foods or supplements. In particular, the tomato has been shown to have a protective role in CVD; its high content of antioxidants, particularly lycopene, provides it with extensively documented beneficial properties. Tomasa, a by-product of the agroindustry, maintains some of the beneficial characteristics of its fruit of origin. Mice fed with a high-fat (hypercaloric) diet increase their body weight and visceral adipose mass, and also display an increase in metabolic and inflammatory parameters. Our results allow us to conclude that the consumption of Tomasa in mice fed a hypercaloric diet reduces the blood levels of cholesterol, glycaemia and pro-inflammatory cytokines. These results support the rationale of using of this by-product in the generation of functional ingredients with proven beneficial effects.

Vitamin D Modulates Intestinal Microbiota in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), including Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), which differ in the location and lesion extensions. Both diseases are associated with microbiota dysbiosis, with a reduced population of butyrate-producing species, abnormal inflammatory response, and micronutrient deficiency (e.g., vitamin D hypovitaminosis). Vitamin D (VitD) is involved in immune cell differentiation, gut microbiota modulation, gene transcription, and barrier integrity. Vitamin D receptor (VDR) regulates the biological actions of the active VitD (1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3), and is involved in the genetic, environmental, immune, and microbial aspects of IBD. VitD deficiency is correlated with disease activity and its administration targeting a concentration of 30 ng/mL may have the potential to reduce disease activity. Moreover, VDR regulates functions of T cells and Paneth cells and modulates release of antimicrobial peptides in gut microbiota-host interactions. Meanwhile, beneficial microbial metabolites, e.g., butyrate, upregulate the VDR signaling. In this review, we summarize the clinical progress and mechanism studies on VitD/VDR related to gut microbiota modulation in IBD. We also discuss epigenetics in IBD and the probiotic regulation of VDR. Furthermore, we discuss the existing challenges and future directions. There is a lack of well-designed clinical trials exploring the appropriate dose and the influence of gender, age, ethnicity, genetics, microbiome, and metabolic disorders in IBD subtypes. To move forward, we need well-designed therapeutic studies to examine whether enhanced vitamin D will restore functions of VDR and microbiome in inhibiting chronic inflammation.

Nutrigenômica como ferramenta preventiva de doenças crônicas não transmissíveis / Nutrigenomics as a preventive tool for chronic non-communicable diseases / NUTRIGENOMICS AS A PREVENTIVE TOOL FOR CHRONIC NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

A nutrigenômica representa uma ciência emergente que estuda a relação entre os nutrientes e os genes humanos. Dessa forma, as necessidades de alimentos, compostos bioativos e nutrientes variam entre os indivíduos, por conta dos polimorfismos gênicos, principalmente os de nucleotídeo único, podendo resultar no desenvolvimento de diversas doenças crônicas não transmissíveis (DCNTs). Este artigo objetiva conhecer as mais recentes informações sobre a nutrigenômica e os principais polimorfismos genéticos relacionados às DCNTs, bem como o impacto dos nutrientes na modulação da expressão gênica e prevenção destas patologias. Para o levantamento bibliográfico, optou-se pela busca de artigos nas bases de dados PubMed e SciELO, nos idiomas Português e Inglês. Aplicou-se a combinação dos seguintes descritores: "nutrigenômica e necessidades nutricionais", "nutrigenômica e obesidade", "nutrigenômica e diabetes mellitus tipo 2", "nutrigenômica e câncer" e "nutrigenômica e doença inflamatória intestinal". Evidências indicam que diversos tipos de polimorfismos estão associados à incidência, progressão e gravidade de doenças como a obesidade, diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DM2), câncer e doenças inflamatórias intestinais (DIIs). Os principais polimorfismos encontrados que se relacionam com as DCNTs são: rs9939609 do fat mass and obesity associated (FTO), rs174547 do Fatty acid desaturase 1 (FADS1), Gln27Glu do receptor ß-adrenérgico 2 (ADRB2), Lys656Asn do receptor de leptina (LEPR), -174C/G da interleucina 6 (IL-6), Pro12Ala do receptor ativado por proliferador de peroxissoma gama 2 (PPAR-gama2), rs4315495 da lipina 1 (LPIN1), rs266729 no gene da adiponectina, rs10920533 em adiponectina receptor 1 (AdipoR1), Pro12Ala do receptor ativado por proliferador de peroxissoma γ (PPARγ), rs1440581 da Protein phosphatase, Mg2+/Mn2+ dependent 1K (PPM1K), alelo G para o polimorfismo -11377C>G, alelo A para o polimorfismo 11391 G>A, Cdx2 do receptor de vitamina D (RVD), genes de selenoproteínas sob baixas concentrações de selênio (DIO1, DIO2, GPX-1, GPX-3, SEPHS1, SEPSECS e TXNRD2) e alelo G do rs12212067 do Forkhead box O3 (FOXO3). É fundamental entender as interações gene-nutriente nestas doenças e as diferentes respostas metabólicas envolvidas, para que assim se possa orientar a alimentação de cada indivíduo conforme a sua herança genética. Enfim, os estudos não são conclusivos sobre o papel de cada fator na alteração dos genes, e a nutrigenômica é um fator importante e complexo que precisa avançar com a ciência nutricional.

Nutrigenomics represents an emerging science that studies the relation between nutrients and the human genes. Thus, the need for food, bioactive composts and nutrients vary from person to person due to genic polymorphisms, mainly single nucleotide polymorphism, which can result in the developing of many Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). This article aims at making a scientific literature review regarding the most recent information on nutrigenomics and the main polymorphisms related to the NCDs, as well as the impact of nutrients on the modulation of the genic expression and prevention of those pathologies. For the literature survey, a search was performed in PubMed and SciELO databases, in Portuguese and English using the combination of the following descriptors: "nutrigenomics and nutritional requirements", "nutrigenomics and obesity", "nutrigenomics and diabetes mellitus, type 2", "nutrigenomics and cancer", and "nutrigenomics and inflammatory bowel disease". Evidence has shown that many types of polymorphisms are associated with the incidence, progression and severity of diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), cancer, and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The main polymorphisms found to be related to NCDs are: rs9939609 of the fat mass and obesity associated (FTO), rs174547 of the fatty acid desaturase 1 (FADS1), Gln27Glu of the ß-adrenergic receptor 2 (ADRB2), Lys656Asn of the leptin receptor (LEPR), -174 G/C of the interleukin-6 (IL-6), Pro12Ala of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma 2 (PPAR-gama2), rs4315495 of lipin 1 (LPIN1), rs266729 in the adiponectin gene, rs10920533 in adiponectin receptor 1 (AdipoR1), Pro12Ala of Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), rs1440581 of Protein phosphatase, Mg2+/Mn2+ dependent 1K (PPM1K), G allele of the -11377C>G polymorphism, allele A of the 11391 G>A polymorphism, Cdx2 of the vitamin D receptor (VDR), selenoprotein genes under low selenium concentrations (DIO1, DIO2, GPX-1, GPx-3, SEPHS1, SEPSECS and TXNRD2), and G allele of the Forkhead box O3 (FOXO3) rs12212067. It is fundamental to understand the interaction between gene-nutrients in these diseases and the different metabolic answers involved to guide the eating habits of each person according to their genetic heritage. Finally, the studies are not conclusive on the role of each factor in the alteration of the genes, and nutrigenomics is an important and complex factor that needs to advance with nutritional science.

Cuidados médicos en EII: más allá de la terapia convencional / Medical care in IBD: more than conventional therapy

The management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease has progressed over the years largely due to better therapeutic options. These current management is guided by the primary goal in achieving clinical and endoscopic remission (deep remission), thus improving the quality of life of patients. In order to achieve these objectives however, there are risks associated which must always be considered. It is important to recognize that IBD patients are at risk of infection and neoplastic lesions for the natural history of the disease or the therapies that we used. Prevention of possible complications must be carried out. Options in therapeutic management not only include pharmacological therapy, but also include an adequate nutritional setting and an optimal correction of nutritional deficits. These alternative nutritional strategies can and should be considered as an effective therapeutic strategy aimed at improving the quality of life of IBD patients.

El manejo de la enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal ha progresado con el paso de los años dado a mayores opciones terapéuticas. El manejo actual se guía por objetivos para lograr remisión clínica y endoscópica (remisión profunda) mejorando así la calidad de vida de estos pacientes. Sin embargo, para lograr estos objetivos, se debe considerar siempre los riesgos asociados a las nuevas terapias. Es importante reconocer que los pacientes con EII son personas en riesgo tanto de infecciones como de lesiones neoplásicas por la historia natural de la enfermedad y/o por las terapias utilizadas, por lo tanto, la prevención de posibles complicaciones debe ser realizada en forma periódica. Por otro parte, el manejo terapéutico, no solo incluye la terapia farmacológica, sino también una adecuada optimización nutricional y una adecuada corrección de los déficit nutricionales secundarios. En este mismo sentido terapias alternativas, pueden ser consideradas como estrategia terapéuticas complementarias destinadas a mejorar la calidad de vida de estos pacientes.

Diet and microbiota in inflammatory bowel disease: The gut in disharmony.

Bacterial colonization of the gut shapes both the local and the systemic immune response and is implicated in the modulation of immunity in both healthy and disease states. Recently, quantitative and qualitative changes in the composition of the gut microbiota have been detected in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, reinforcing the hypothesis of dysbiosis as a relevant mechanism underlying inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) pathogenesis. Humans and microbes have co-existed and co-evolved for a long time in a mutually beneficial symbiotic association essential for maintaining homeostasis. However, the microbiome is dynamic, changing with age and in response to environmental modifications. Among such environmental factors, food and alimentary habits, progressively altered in modern societies, appear to be critical modulators of the microbiota, contributing to or co-participating in dysbiosis. In addition, food constituents such as micronutrients are important regulators of mucosal immunity, with direct or indirect effects on the gut microbiota. Moreover, food constituents have recently been shown to modulate epigenetic mechanisms, which can result in increased risk for the development and progression of IBD. Therefore, it is likely that a better understanding of the role of different food components in intestinal homeostasis and the resident microbiota will be essential for unravelling the complex molecular basis of the epigenetic, genetic and environment interactions underlying IBD pathogenesis as well as for offering dietary interventions with minimal side effects.

Secretion of biologically active pancreatitis-associated protein I (PAP) by genetically modified dairy Lactococcus lactis NZ9000 in the prevention of intestinal mucositis.

BACKGROUND: Mucositis is one of the most relevant gastrointestinal inflammatory conditions in humans, generated by the use of chemotherapy drugs, such as 5-fluoracil (5-FU). 5-FU-induced mucositis affects 80% of patients undergoing oncological treatment causing mucosal gut dysfunctions and great discomfort. As current therapy drugs presents limitations in alleviating mucositis symptoms, alternative strategies are being pursued. Recent studies have shown that the antimicrobial pancreatitis-associated protein (PAP) has a protective role in intestinal inflammatory processes. Indeed, it was demonstrated that a recombinant strain of Lactococcus lactis expressing human PAP (LL-PAP) could prevent and improve murine DNBS-induced colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes severe inflammation of the colon. Hence, in this study we sought to evaluate the protective effects of LL-PAP on 5-FU-induced experimental mucositis in BALB/c mice as a novel approach to treat the disease. RESULTS: Our results show that non-recombinant L. lactis NZ9000 have antagonistic activity, in vitro, against the enteroinvasive gastrointestinal pathogen L. monocytogenes and confirmed PAP inhibitory effect against Opportunistic E. faecalis. Moreover, L. lactis was able to prevent histological damage, reduce neutrophil and eosinophil infiltration and secretory Immunoglobulin-A in mice injected with 5-FU. Recombinant lactococci carrying antimicrobial PAP did not improve those markers of inflammation, although its expression was associated with villous architecture preservation and increased secretory granules density inside Paneth cells in response to 5-FU inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated for the first time that L. lactis NZ9000 by itself, is able to prevent 5-FU-induced intestinal inflammation in BALB/c mice. Moreover, PAP delivered by recombinant L. lactis strain showed additional protective effects in mice epithelium, revealing to be a promising strategy to treat intestinal mucositis.

Reflections About Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Vitamins A and D.

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are two major forms of the inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). Vitamin A (VA) and vitamin D (VD) may be associated with reduction in inflammation in these disorders. The aim of this review was to show the current evidence that may associate VA and VD with IBDs. Data linking VA, VD, and IBDs were studied. Both VA and VD may be related to the immune system in different manners. The active form of VA, retinoic acid, may be related to the growth factor-ß and release of interleukin-10 (IL-10), thus involved with the resolution of the inflammation. Its deficiency is associated with the increase of disease activity. The active form of VD is 1,25(OH)2D3 that produces biological effects via the nuclear hormone receptor named VD receptor (VDR), which may interfere with the immune cells and macrophages leading to the suppression of the inflammatory process by decreasing the release of TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, and IL-8, IL-12, and IL-23. VDR may also activate nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 2 expression and stimulate the production of the defensin and cathelicidin that are important to the homeostasis of the mucosal immune barrier. The use of VA and VD could be helpful in the treatment and prevention of IBDs but more studies are necessary to establish the precise role of these compounds in the prevention or remission of these inflammatory processes.

Lactococcus lactis carrying the pValac eukaryotic expression vector coding for IL-4 reduces chemically-induced intestinal inflammation by increasing the levels of IL-10-producing regulatory cells.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel diseases are characterized by chronic intestinal inflammation that leads to severe destruction of the intestinal mucosa. Therefore, the understanding of their aetiology as well as the development of new medicines is an important step for the treatment of such diseases. Consequently, the development of Lactococcus lactis strains capable of delivering a eukaryotic expression vector encoding the interleukin 4 (IL-4) of Mus musculus would represent a new strategy for the elaboration of a more effective alternative therapy against Crohn's disease. RESULTS: The murine IL-4 ORF was cloned into the eukaryotic expression vector pValac::dts. The resulting plasmid-pValac::dts::IL-4-was transfected into CHO cells so that its functionality could be evaluated in vitro. With fluorescent confocal microscopy, flow cytometry and ELISA, it was observed that pValac::dts::IL-4-transfected cells produced IL-4, while non-transfected cells and cells transfected with the empty vector did not. Then, pValac::dts::IL-4 was inserted into L. lactis MG1363 FnBPA(+) in order to evaluate the therapeutic potential of the recombinant strain against TNBS-induced colitis. Intragastric administration of L. lactis MG1363 FnBPA(+) (pValac::dts::IL-4) was able to decrease the severity of colitis, with animals showing decreased levels of IL-12, IL-6 and MPO activity; and increased levels of IL-4 and IL-10. Finally, LP-isolated cells from mice administered TNBS were immunophenotyped so that the main IL-4 and IL-10 producers were identified. Mice administered the recombinant strain presented significantly higher percentages of F4/80(+)MHCII(+)Ly6C(-)IL-4(+), F4/80(+)MHCII(+)Ly6C(-)IL-10(+), F4/80(+)MHCII(+)Ly6C(-)CD206(+)CD124(+)IL-10(+) and CD4(+)Foxp3(+)IL10(+) cells compared to the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that L. lactis MG1363 FnBPA(+) (pValac::dts::IL-4) is a good candidate to maintain the anti-inflammatory and proinflammatory balance in the gastrointestinal tract, increasing the levels of IL-10-secreting regulatory cells and, thus, demonstrating the effectiveness of this novel DNA delivery-based strategy.

Antigen administration by continuous feeding enhances oral tolerance and leads to long-lasting effects.

The ability to avoid inflammatory responses to dietary components and microbiota antigens in the gut mucosa is achieved by a mechanism termed oral tolerance. This phenomenon is crucial to maintain the physiological immune activity in the gut and to prevent inflammatory disorders such as food allergy and inflammatory bowel diseases. Moreover, orally administered antigens induce regulatory cells that control systemic inflammatory responses as well. Given its specific, systemic and long-lasting effects, oral tolerance represents a promising approach for immunotherapies that aim to modulate inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. However, there are different protocols of feeding for induction of oral tolerance, and they have an impact in tolerance efficiency and length. Herein, we present and discuss different experimental feeding protocols and how they influence the outcome of oral administration of antigens.

Antioxidant and intestinal anti-inflammatory effects of plant-derived coumarin derivatives.

BACKGROUND: Coumarins, also known as benzopyrones, are plant-derived products with several pharmacological properties, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Based on the wide distribution of coumarin derivatives in plant-based foods and beverages in the human diet, our objective was to evaluate both the antioxidant and intestinal anti-inflammatory activities of six coumarin derivatives of plant origin (scopoletin, scoparone, fraxetin, 4-methyl-umbeliferone, esculin and daphnetin) to verify if potential intestinal anti-inflammatory activity was related to antioxidant properties. METHODS: Intestinal inflammation was induced by intracolonic instillation of TNBS in rats. The animals were treated with coumarins by oral route. The animals were killed 48 h after colitis induction. The colonic segments were obtained after laparotomy and macroscopic and biochemical parameters (determination of glutathione level and myeloperoxidase and alkaline phosphatase activities) were evaluated. The antioxidant properties of these coumarins were examined by lipid peroxidation and DPPH assays. RESULTS: Treatment with esculin, scoparone and daphnetin produced the best protective effects. All coumarin derivatives showed antioxidant activity in the DPPH assay, while daphnetin and fraxetin also showed antioxidant activity by inhibiting lipid peroxidation. Coumarins, except 4-methyl-umbeliferone, also showed antioxidant activity through the counteraction of glutathione levels or through the inhibition of myeloperoxidase activity. DISCUSSION: The intestinal anti-inflammatory activity of coumarin derivatives were related to their antioxidant properties, suggesting that consumption of coumarins and/or foods rich in coumarin derivatives, particularly daphnetin, esculin and scoparone, could prevent intestinal inflammatory disease.

Hypertonic saline solution reduces the inflammatory response in endotoxemic rats

OBJECTIVE: Volume replacement in septic patients improves hemodynamic stability. This effect can reduce the inflammatory response. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of 7.5% hypertonic saline solution versus 0.9% normal saline solution for volume replacement during an inflammatory response in endotoxemic rats. METHODS: We measured cytokines (serum and gut), nitrite, and lipid peroxidation (TBARS) as indicators of oxidative stress in the gut. Rats were divided into four groups: control group (C) that did not receive lipopolysaccharide; lipopolysaccharide injection without treatment (LPS); lipopolysaccharide injection with saline treatment (LPS +S); and lipopolysaccharide injection with hypertonic saline treatment (LPS +H). Serum and intestine were collected. Measurements were taken at 1.5, 8, and 24 h after lipopolysaccharide administration. RESULTS: Of the four groups, the LPS +H group had the highest survival rate. Hypertonic saline solution treatment led to lower levels of IL-6, IL-10, nitric oxide, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances compared to 0.9% normal saline. In addition, hypertonic saline treatment resulted in a lower mortality compared to 0.9% normal saline treatment in endotoxemic rats. Volume replacement reduced levels of inflammatory mediators in the plasma and gut. CONCLUSION: Hypertonic saline treatment reduced mortality and lowered levels of inflammatory mediators in endotoxemic rats. Hypertonic saline also has the advantage of requiring less volume replacement.

Hypertonic saline solution reduces the inflammatory response in endotoxemic rats.

OBJECTIVE: Volume replacement in septic patients improves hemodynamic stability. This effect can reduce the inflammatory response. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of 7.5% hypertonic saline solution versus 0.9% normal saline solution for volume replacement during an inflammatory response in endotoxemic rats. METHODS: We measured cytokines (serum and gut), nitrite, and lipid peroxidation (TBARS) as indicators of oxidative stress in the gut. Rats were divided into four groups: control group (C) that did not receive lipopolysaccharide; lipopolysaccharide injection without treatment (LPS); lipopolysaccharide injection with saline treatment (LPS +S); and lipopolysaccharide injection with hypertonic saline treatment (LPS +H). Serum and intestine were collected. Measurements were taken at 1.5, 8, and 24 h after lipopolysaccharide administration. RESULTS: Of the four groups, the LPS +H group had the highest survival rate. Hypertonic saline solution treatment led to lower levels of IL-6, IL-10, nitric oxide, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances compared to 0.9% normal saline. In addition, hypertonic saline treatment resulted in a lower mortality compared to 0.9% normal saline treatment in endotoxemic rats. Volume replacement reduced levels of inflammatory mediators in the plasma and gut. CONCLUSION: Hypertonic saline treatment reduced mortality and lowered levels of inflammatory mediators in endotoxemic rats. Hypertonic saline also has the advantage of requiring less volume replacement.

Dietary polydextrose prevents inflammatory bowel disease in trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid model of rat colitis.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a multifactorial intestinal disorder that involves interactions among the immune system, genetic susceptibility, and environmental factors, especially the bacterial flora. Polydextrose, a polysaccharide constituted by 90% nondigestible and nonabsorbable soluble fibers, has several physiological effects consistent with those of dietary fibers, including proliferation of colon microflora. Because sulfasalazine presents serious side effects through long-term use at high doses, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the preventative effect of polydextrose on trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid-induced intestinal inflammation and its effects on the intestinal anti-inflammatory activity of sulfasalazine. Results indicated that polydextrose and its association with sulfasalazine present an anti-inflammatory effect that reduces myeloperoxidase activity, counteracts glutathione content, and promotes reductions in lesion extension and colonic weight/length ratio.

Enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal y vacunas / Inflammatory bowel disease and vaccines

Dado lo importante, pero impredecible que resulta la respuesta a la vacunación en pacientes con enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal (EII), es importante hacer en la primera consulta una buena historia de las inmunizaciones y exposiciones a infección en estos pacientes. Es recomendable indagar acerca de la exposición a varicela, historia de viajes y factores de riesgo para hepatitis. Debe ofrecerse a estos pacientes la vacunación para pneumococo e influenza. El control periódico de los niveles de anticuerpos, cuando es posible, en estos pacientes y los refuerzos en caso necesario permitirá mantenerlos protegidos frente a ciertas infecciones que pueden resultar muy severas en ciertos casos.

Due to the fact that the response to vaccination in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is both important but also unpredictable, it is critical to carefully explore in the first clinical visit the history of these patients regarding immunization and exposure to infections. It is advisable to inquire about exposure to chicken pox, take a history of travels and risk factors for hepatitis. These patients must be offered influenza and pneumococcal vaccination. Regular control of antibodies levels in these patients and booster injections, when possible, will allow keeping them protected against certain infections that can be extremely severe in some cases.

Anti-inflammatory effect of yoghurt in an experimental inflammatory bowel disease in mouse.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD; Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) is the clinical outcome of three interactive pathogenic factors: genetic susceptibility, environmental triggers and immune dis-regulation. At present, only the immune response is targeted by most therapeutic or preventive strategies. The beneficial effect of yoghurt on health as well as its immunomodulator effect on the gut immune system is well documented. The aim of this work was to study the possible beneficial effects of yoghurt consumption on an experimental model of IBD in mice. Balb/c mice were fed with yoghurt for 10 consecutive days. At the end of the feeding period the mice received three inoculations of 2, 4, 6-trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS) solutions once a week for 3 consecutive weeks. After TNBS instillation the mice received yoghurt again for 10 consecutive days. IBD control received only TNBS. After treatments we analysed the number of IgA-secreting cells, CD4+, CD8+ T cells population and the number of apoptotic cells in the large intestine. The number of erythrocytes and leucocytes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was also determined. We demonstrated the antinflammatory effect of yoghurt in an experimental model of IBD induced by TNBS. The effect was mediated by an increase in the number of the IgA+cells, a decrease in CD8+ population and by the induction of apoptosis of the infiltrative cells in the large intestine.

Protective effect of octreotide and infliximab in an experimental model of indomethacin-induced inflammatory bowel disease.

Indomethacin administration in animals increases permeability of the small intestine, leading to inflammation that mimics Crohn's disease. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs increase the permeability of the intestinal epithelial barrier and should therefore be used with caution in patients with Crohn's disease. We analyzed the protective effects of octreotide and the tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitor infliximab in a rat model of indomethacin-induced enterocolitis. Male Wistar rats received 20 mg of infliximab or 10 mug of octreotide 24 h prior to injection with indomethacin. Intestinal permeability was analyzed using Cr-51-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid clearance. No microscopic or macroscopic alterations were observed in the rats receiving infliximab or octreotide, both of which increased permeability (P < 0.001 versus controls). Our macroscopic and microscopic findings might be related to the low specificity of infliximab and suggest that cytokines affect the intestinal epithelial barrier, as evidenced by the protective effect that infliximab had on the permeability parameters evaluated.

Probióticos: perspectivas médicas / Probiotics: medical perspectives

Este artigo revisa o tema probióticos com o objetivo de avaliar seus possíveis potenciais como agentes bioterapêuticos na prevenção e/ou tratamento de algumas doenças relacionadas com a via intestinal. Os probióticos representam uma área de pesquisa em extensão. Muitas publicações enfatizam o potencial significado dessa emergente área, entretanto muito ainda necessita ser comprovado e realizado no sentido de definir o real significado do termo probiótico; se for efetivo, quais as cepas que preenchem os critérios de um real microorganismo probiótico e em quais circunstâncias clínicas são indicadas

This article reviews the theme probiotics with the objective to evaluate their potentials as possible biotherapeutic agents for the prevention and/or treatment of some illnesses related tothe intestinal tract. Probiotics represents an expanding research area. Many publications emphasizes the potential significance of this emerging field, meanwhile, much still remains to be proved and to be done in order to standardize the real meaning of the term probiotic and, if they are real, which strains actually fulfill the criteria of true probiotics microorganisms and in which clinical circumstances they are really useful

Acidos graxos ômega-3 por via parenteral: impacto no tratamento de colite aguda experimental / Omega-3 fatty acids by parenteral route: impact in experimental colitis treatment

Nos últimos anos, a literatura tem dedicado especial atençäo aos efeitos imuno-moduladores de emulsöes lipídicas (EL) enriquecidas com óleo de peixe (FO)sobre processos inflamatórios. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar os efeitos da administraçäo parenteral de EL enriquecidas com ácidos graxos ômega-3 (AGn-3) em colite aguda experimental. Métodos: setenta e quatro ratos Wistar machos adultos foram randomizados em seis grupos submetidos a induçäo de colite com ácido acético a 10 por cento (exceto grupo CS). Os ratos foram alimentados com dieta oral sem gorduras "ad libitum" em gaiolas metabólicas individuais. Durante sete dias, os grupos controle CS (sem colite) e CC (com colite) receberam soluçäo fisiológica e os outros grupos, EL específicas por catéter venoso central (0,5 ml/hora). As composiçöes lipídicas e as razöes entre AGn-6 dos grupos foram: grupo L -1:7,7 (TCL; n=12), M-1:7,0 (TCMnCL; n=12), LW-3-1:4,5 (TCL+FO; n=12) e mw-3 -1:3,0 (TCM/TCL+FO; n=13). Os ratos foram avaliados quanto à ocorrência de diarréia, relaçäo ingestäo/peso, as alteraçöes na cavidade abdominal (dilataçäo e espessamento da parede intestinal, mesenterite, aderências de epíplon ou do intestino delgado), celularidade de macrófagos (por imuno-histoquímica), alteraçöes histológicas, e concentraçöes de leucotrienos (LTB4 e C4), prostaglandina (pGE2) e tromboxane(TXB2) no cólon (por ensaio imuno-enzimático). Resultados: os grupos M,MW-3 e LW-3 apresentaram maior número de ratos com fezes normais que o grupo näo tratado (CC). Os ratos MW-3 foram os únicos cuja média de ingestäo/peso näo diferiu do grupo CS e foi superior a CC. Somente os animais que receberam suplementaçäo com AGn-3 (LW-3 e MW-3) apresentaram menor número de alteraçöes inflamatórias em comparaçäo aos ratos CC. A formaçäo de úlceras da mucosa intestinal do grupo MW-3 equiparou-se ao grupo sem colite (CS). Somente os grupos CS, M e MW-3 apresentaram escores I de celularidade de macrófagos inferiores ao grupo CC. Em relaçäo às dosagens de mediadores inflamatórios, näo houve diferença estatística quanto às médias de L TC4 entre os grupos. Em comparaçäo ao grupo CC, foram menores as concentraçöes teciduais de LTB4 dos grupos CS, LW-3 e MW-3, de PGE2 dos grupos CS, M e MW-3 e de TXB2 dos grupos CS e MW-3