[Inhibitory Effects of ß-caryophyllene on Helicobacter pylori Infection: A Randomized Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study].

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infections, which cause a variety of gastrointestinal symptoms, are common in South Korea. Recent reports have shown a decline in the H. pylori eradication rates. ß-caryophyllene is a natural bicyclic sesquiterpene that occurs in a wide range of plant species, such as cloves, basil, and cinnamon. ß-caryophyllene has been reported to have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effects. This study investigated the inhibitory effects of ß-caryophyllene on H. pylori and its potential role as an alternative gastrointestinal drug. METHODS: This 8-week, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial categorized subjects into a ß-caryophyllene group (33 patients who received 126 mg/day of ß-caryophyllene) and a placebo group (33 patients who received a placebo preparation). The inflammation level of H. pylori infiltration and the eradication rates were evaluated endoscopically and with the urea breath test (UBT) in both groups before and after administering the medication. The serum cytokine levels (tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin [IL]-1ß and IL-6) were compared in both groups before and after administering the medication. RESULTS: Complete eradication was not observed in either group. Moreover, there was no significant change in the UBT and updated Sydney score. On the other hand, the ß-caryophyllene group showed significant improvement in nausea (p=0.025) and epigastric pain (p=0.018), as well as a decrease in the serum IL-1ß levels (p=0.038). CONCLUSIONS: ß-caryophyllene improves dyspepsia symptoms and can be considered a useful supplementary treatment for gastrointestinal disease.

[Development of Koreans Gut Quotient Measurement Scales].

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to develop 'Koreans Gut Quotient Measurement Scales (GQ)', in which Koreans respond to questionnaires about the subjective feelings and symptoms of their intestinal health status. METHODS: Among 66 items pooled from previous studies and 4 items that were added following a focus group interview, 15 items were chosen using the Delphi survey. The content validity was evaluated using the content validity ratio. Data collected from 1,120 people from the general public in Korea were analyzed to verify the reliability and validity of GQ. RESULTS: The finalized GQ consisted of 17 items (including two exploratory measurement items) that were classified into three independent factors based on exploratory factor analysis (EFA): 'perceived intestine discomfort', 'bowel movement discomfort', and 'bowel movement control discomfort'. The discriminant and convergent validity of GQ were identified using EFA, reliability test, and confirmatory factor analysis. In addition, the criterion-related validity of GQ was identified using correlation and multiple regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The GQ, which is a simplified intestinal health index developed based on an easy questionnaire for the public to understand, can be used as a tool for the public to evaluate their own intestinal health and determine when to visit clinics.

Crohn's disease confined to the duodenum: A case report.

Crohn's disease (CD) can involve any part of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to anus. However, gastroduodenal CD is rare with a frequency reported to range between 0.5% and 4.0%. Most patients with gastroduodenal CD have concomitant lesions in the terminal ileum or colon, but isolated gastroduodenal Crohn's disease is an extremely rare presentation of the disease accounting for less than 0.07% of all patients with CD. The symptoms of gastroduodenal CD include epigastric pain, dyspepsia, early satiety, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and weight loss. The diagnosis of gastroduodenal CD requires a high level of clinical suspicion and can be made by comprehensive clinical evaluation. Here we report a rare case of isolated duodenal CD not confirmed by identification of granuloma on biopsy, but diagnosed by clinical evaluation.

Acute idiopathic pancreatitis in pregnancy: a case study.

Acute pancreatitis during pregnancy is a rare event, and can be associated with high maternal mortality and fetal loss. Gallstone disease is thought to be the most common causative factor of acute pancreatitis, but, in many cases, the cause remains unclear. We report a case of a 36-year-old woman at 35 wk of gestation, who presented with severe pain confined to the upper abdomen and radiating to the back. The patient was diagnosed with acute idiopathic pancreatitis, which was managed conservatively; she recovered within several days and then delivered a healthy baby. Therefore it is important to consider acute pancreatitis when a pregnant woman presents with upper abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting in order to improve fetal and maternal outcomes for patients with acute pancreatitis.