Randomised clinical trial: mesalazine versus placebo in the prevention of diverticulitis recurrence.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have reached conflicting conclusions regarding the efficacy of mesalazine in the prevention of recurrent diverticulitis. AIM: To investigate the efficacy and safety of mesalazine granules in the prevention of recurrence of diverticulitis after acute uncomplicated diverticulitis. METHODS: Two phase 3, randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind multicentre trials (SAG-37 and SAG-51) investigated mesalazine granules in patients with prior episodes (<6 months) of uncomplicated left-sided diverticulitis. Patients were randomised to receive either 3 g mesalazine once daily or placebo (SAG-37, n=345) or to receive either 1.5 g mesalazine once daily, 3 g once daily or placebo for 96 weeks (SAG-51, n=330). The primary endpoint was the proportion of recurrence-free patients during 48 weeks (SAG-37 and SAG-51) or 96 weeks (SAG-51) of treatment. RESULTS: Mesalazine did not increase the proportion of recurrence-free patients over 48 or 96 weeks compared to placebo. In SAG-37, the proportion of recurrence-free patients during 48 weeks was 67.9% with mesalazine and 74.4% with placebo (P=.226). In SAG-51, the proportion of recurrence-free patients over 48 weeks was 46.0% with 1.5 g mesalazine, 52.0% with 3 g mesalazine and 58.0% with placebo (P=.860 for 3 g mesalazine vs placebo) and over 96 weeks 6.9%, 9.8% and 23.1% respectively (P=.980 for 3 g mesalazine vs placebo). Patients with only one diverticulitis episode in the year prior to study entry had a lower recurrence risk compared to >1 episode. Safety data revealed no new adverse events. CONCLUSION: Mesalazine was not superior to placebo in preventing recurrence of diverticulitis.

Contents of trans-fatty acids in human substernal adipose tissue and plasma lipids: relation to angiographically documented coronary heart disease.

The contents of trans-fatty acid (TFA) isomers of human substernal adipose tissue and plasma lipids (cholesterol esters, triacylglycerols, phospholipids), obtained from patients with angiographically documented coronary heart disease (CHD group; n = 24) and from controls (excluded CHD; n = 25), were determined by capillary gas chromatography. No significant difference (P <0.05) could be observed between cases (2.59 +/- 33%) and controls (2.79 +/- 0.76%) with regard to adipose tissue total TFA contents (expressed as proportion of all identified fatty acid methyl esters). The total adipose tissue TFA content reflected the dietary TFA intake, which was estimated by dietary questionnaires. Both groups showed significant differences in several isomeric plasma lipid TFA. Cases generally had a tendency to lower individual TFA contents.