Brain structure and stroke risk score in subjects without a history of atrial fibrillation.

CHA2DS2-VASc score system aids in clinical decision-making in subjects with atrial fibrillation (AF). Little is known on the association between CHA2DS2-VASc scores and brain structure in patients without cardiac arrhythmia. Detailed brain architecture analysis was performed. Assessment of bivariate correlation between the volume of segmented brain structures and Z-scores of CHA2DS2-VASc showed that higher risk scores correlated negatively and significantly with various brain framework. Our study confirms that a cluster of risk factors incorporated in a well-established risk score correlated with brain tissue volume independently of the presence of an arrhythmia.

The role of microbiota-gut-brain axis in neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders.

Emerging evidence indicates that the gut microbiota play a crucial role in the bidirectional communication between the gut and the brain suggesting that the gut microbes may shape neural development, modulate neurotransmission and affect behavior, and thereby contribute to the pathogenesis and/or progression of many neurodevelopmental, neuropsychiatric, and neurological conditions. This review summarizes recent data on the role of microbiota-gut-brain axis in the pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders including depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorders, Parkinson's disease, migraine, and epilepsy. Also, the involvement of microbiota in gut disorders co-existing with neuropsychiatric conditions is highlighted. We discuss data from both in vivo preclinical experiments and clinical reports including: (1) studies in germ-free animals, (2) studies exploring the gut microbiota composition in animal models of diseases or in humans, (3) studies evaluating the effects of probiotic, prebiotic or antibiotic treatment as well as (4) the effects of fecal microbiota transplantation.

Chitinases and Chitinase-Like Proteins as Therapeutic Targets in Inflammatory Diseases, with a Special Focus on Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

Chitinases belong to the evolutionarily conserved glycosyl hydrolase family 18 (GH18). They catalyze degradation of chitin to N-acetylglucosamine by hydrolysis of the ß-(1-4)-glycosidic bonds. Although mammals do not synthesize chitin, they possess two enzymatically active chitinases, i.e., chitotriosidase (CHIT1) and acidic mammalian chitinase (AMCase), as well as several chitinase-like proteins (YKL-40, YKL-39, oviductin, and stabilin-interacting protein). The latter lack enzymatic activity but still display oligosaccharides-binding ability. The physiologic functions of chitinases are still unclear, but they have been shown to be involved in the pathogenesis of various human fibrotic and inflammatory disorders, particularly those of the lung (idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, sarcoidosis, and asthma) and the gastrointestinal tract (inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) and colon cancer). In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about chitinases, particularly in IBDs, and demonstrate that chitinases can serve as prognostic biomarkers of disease progression. Moreover, we suggest that the inhibition of chitinase activity may be considered as a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of IBDs.

Circadian rhythm abnormalities in patients with inflammatory bowel disease - association with adipokine profile.

Background: The role of sleep disturbances in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remained relatively unknown. The aim of this study was to identify the adipokine profile in the patients with IBD and its relationship with the circadian rhythm disorders.Methods: Prospective, observational cohort study was performed. In all the enrolled adult IBD patients, the disease activity was assessed by using Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) for Crohn's disease (CD) and Partial Mayo Score for ulcerative colitis (UC), respectively. All patients were also asked to respond to a questionnaire to define Pittsburgh Quality Sleep Index (PSQI). From all the enrolled patients, 15 mL venous blood was taken to determine adipokine levels and perform standard laboratory tests.Results: Sixty-five IBD patients were enrolled in our study: 30 with CD and 35 with UC. Poor sleep was noted in 69.2% patients with clinically active and in 7.7% patients with inactive disease (p = .0023). In the group of IBD patients with poor sleep, the significantly higher level of serum resistin (p = .0458), and lower level of serum adiponectin and leptin (p = .0215, p = .0201; respectively) were observed. In the IBD patients with exacerbation, the significantly higher level of serum resistin (p = .0396), significantly lower serum level of leptin (p = .0453) and tendency to lower serum level of adiponectin (p = .1214) were recorded.Conclusions: The relationship between circadian rhythm abnormalities and specific adipokine profile may show us a risk factor of developing inflammatory intestinal lesions in IBD patients. This knowledge may allow the treatment of sleep disturbances, body weight-control and dietary habits become new targets in IBD therapy.

Correction to: The child and adolescent psychiatry: study of training in Europe (CAP­STATE).

The original article has been corrected.

The child and adolescent psychiatry: study of training in Europe (CAP-STATE).

There is great cultural diversity across Europe. This is reflected in the organisation of child and adolescent mental health (CAMH) services and the training of the respective professionals in different countries in Europe. Patients and their parents will want a high quality, knowledgeable, and skillful service from child and adolescent psychiatrists (CAPs) wherever they see them in Europe. A European comparison of training programs allows all stakeholders in different European countries to assess the diversity and to initiate discussions as to the introduction of improvements within national training programs. Major issues to be addressed in comparing child and adolescent psychiatric training programs across Europe include: (1) formal organisation and content of training programs and the relationship to adult psychiatry and paediatrics; (2) flexibility of training, given different trainee interests and that many trainees will have young families; (3) quality of governance of training systems; (4) access to research; and (5) networking. The Child and Adolescent Psychiatry-Study of Training in Europe (CAP-State) is a survey of training for child and adolescent psychiatrists (CAPs) across European countries. It aims to revisit and extend the survey carried out in 2006 by Karabekiroglu and colleagues. The current article is embedded in a special issue of European Child + Adolescent Psychiatry attempting to for the first time address training in CAP at the European and global levels. Structured information was sought from each of 38 European and neighboring countries (subsequently loosely referred to as Europe) and obtained from 31. The information was provided by a senior trainee or recently qualified specialist and their information was checked and supplemented by information from a senior child and adolescent psychiatry trainer. Results showed that there is a very wide range of provision of training in child and adolescent psychiatry in different countries in Europe. There remains very substantial diversity in training across Europe and in the degree to which it is subject to national oversight and governance. Some possible reasons for this variation are discussed and some recommendations made.

Focus on current and future management possibilities in inflammatory bowel disease-related chronic pain.

INTRODUCTION: Visceral pain is a symptom reported by over 70% of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) sufferers. So far, a single, specific cause of this debilitating state has not been established. Chronic pain is one of the most important factors decreasing the quality of life in IBD course. Concurrently, management of pain is the most challenging issue encountered by clinicians in IBD treatment. AREAS COVERED: This review focuses on pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel disease-caused visceral pain and explores currently available approaches to its management. We also covered recent pharmacological developments in the field. CONCLUSIONS: Pain-related disability has major effects on quality of life and on functional and social outcomes in IBD patients. Currently, there is no one standardized method of managing chronic visceral pain in IBD. Therefore, future development, focusing primarily on alleviating the pain, but also on reducing inflammation, is essential.

Survival in women diagnosed with breast and cervical cancer in Poland ­ compared to European countries, based on CONCORD - 3 Programme

INTRODUCTION: The 5-year population-based survival rate, next to cancer incidence and mortality, is a key element for the assessment of effective health care quality provided by OECD in order to establish the condition of health care and set up health care policies. They also apply when assessing breast and cervical cancer prevention in Poland. AIM: The aim of the paper was to analyse the breast and cervical cancer survival in women in Poland in 2010-2014 and its changes in 2000-2014 in comparison to other European countries. RESULTS: The analysis of the 5-year survival rate was performed with the CONCORD-3 programme data. In order to guarantee the comparability of results, the uniform standards for data quality control, all calculations and analyses were performed by a world-leading centre for research, The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. The absolute value of the survival rate was used to assess survival variations in 2000-2004 and 2010-2014. In 2010-2014 the highest 5-year survival rate in women with breast cancer was in Island (89%), Sweden (89%), Finland (89%) and Norway (88%). Despite its systematic improvement, the 5-year survival rate in Poland was lower than in the majority of European countries, and in the final period amounted to 76,6%. In 2010-2014 the highest survival in women with cervical cancer in Europe was in Island (80%), Norway (73%) and Switzerland (71%). The progress of favourable changes in Poland was not sufficient enough to allow the survival rate (55%) to be significantly closer to the European average. CONCLUSIONS: The 5-year survival rate for breast and cervical cancer in Poland in 2010-2014 was significantly different than in other European countries, and placed Poland among the countries with the lowest survival rate. In 2000-2014 in Poland there was an insignificant progress in survival in women with breast and cervical cancer, which did not contribute to fighting the substantial differences when compared to other European countries.

The incidence rate of surgical interventions in patients with Crohn's disease treated with anti-tumour necrosis factor biologics.

BACKGROUND: Anti-tumour necrosis factor alpha drugs (anti-TNF-α) effectively reduce the risk of surgery in Crohn's disease (CD). Unsatisfactory response to anti-TNF-α agents leads to the development of disease complications in a great percentage of patients. Simultaneously, possible predictive factors for ares during biological treatment remain uncertain. AIMS: To investigate the incidence rate of intestinal resection during biological treatment and search for predicting factors for ares demanding a surgical intervention. METHODS: A retrospective study of 68 patients qualified for anti-TNF-alpha therapy. The data consisting of demographic details, disease duration and laboratory results before the first drug administration and at the post induction period were collected. The association between these parameters and loss of response (LOR) demanding a surgical intervention was evaluated. RESULTS: LOR to the anti-TNF-alpha therapy was observed in 10/68 patients (14.7%). Mean disease duration at initiation of therapy was statistically longer in operated patients (8.8 ± 2.04 y vs. 4.93 ± 4.29 y; p < 0.02). That group revealed higher CRP values in post induction period compared to group with sustained response (48.24 ± 61.99 mg/l vs. 7.29 ± 13.43 mg/l; p < 0.05), contrary to hematocrit levels, which were lower in this group at each point of the study (30.58 ± 6.19% vs. 36.69 ± 16.0%; p = 0.04) (18.62 ± 18.19% vs. 40.27 ± 4.72%; p < 0.05) (4.01 ± 0.9 x106/µl; p = 0.009) (40.27 ± 4.72 g/dl vs. 18.62 ± 18.19 g/dl; p < 0.05). CDAI was significantly higher at post induction evaluation in the group with LOR (260.75 ± 98.1 vs. 118.12 ± 4.59; p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: CRP and CDAI, expressing in ammation severity, RBC, Hgb, Hct and the disease duration may serve as predictive factors for LOR to biological therapy.

Ocular outcomes in 4-year old prematurely born children.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to assess functional and structural ophthalmologic outcomes in 4-year old very low birth weight children (VLBW). Material and Methods: A group of 82 VLBW children including: (1) children without retinopathy of prematurity ­ group O (n = 30), (2) children with retinopathy of prematurity with no indications for laser coagulation- group 1 (n = 20 ), (3) children with retinopathy of prematurity treated with laser coagulation ­ group 2 (n = 32) were enrolled. Functional (visual acuity, visual evoked potentials, stereopsis, color vision test) and structural (anterior eye segment examination and fundoscopy) outcome, cycloplegic refraction, intraocular pressure and angle of squint were examined in all children. Developmental Test of Visual Perception was also assessed. Results: Very good visual acuity was presented in 56 (68.3%) patients, good visual acuity in 11 (13.4%) children, visual acuity between 0.4 and 0.2 in 13 (15.9%) and unfavorable function (equal or less than 0.1) was observed in 2 (2.4%) children. Twenty-three patients (28.1%) were myopic, 57 patients (69.5%) were hyperopic. Astigmatism > 1D occurred in 49 (59.8%) patients. Anisometropia larger than 2 D occurred in 7 patients (8.7%). There was no statistical difference between frequency of mentioned above complications between the groups. Abnormal VEP results were more common (14 children -54%) in group 2 as compared to other groups (group 0 - 7 children -25%, group 1 ­ 4 children -24%; p = 0.044). Moreover, the lower percentage of group 2 children presented stereopsis vision (46.9%, group 0 ­ 93.3%, group 1 ­ 90%; p<0.05). Children with retinopathy of prematurity treated with laser coagulation had significantly lower Developmental Test of Visual Perceptions scores. In group 1, in 1 child naevus pigmentosus of the eyelid was observed, in group 2 in one child eyeball atrophy in the right eye and aphakia in the left eye were diagnosed. In 1 child in group 0 optic disc drusen were observed, in 2 children optic discs were pale. In 2 children in group 2 retinal detachment stage 5 was diagnosed. Conclusion: An important factor affecting final ophthalomolgical assessment in prematurely born children is retinopathy of prematurity treated with laser coagulaion. Children with retinopathy of prematurity without laser coagulation had examinations results comparable wih children without retinopathy of prematurity. Diode laser photocoagulation is an effective method of treatment fot active stages of retinopathy of prematurity.

THE COMPARISON OF THE STABILITY INDICATING TWO HPLC METHODS AND THEIR APPLICATION FOR THE DETERMINATION OF BOSENTAN IN COATED TABLETS.

Due to the raising requirements of drug quality, there is an increasing need for fast liquid separations of pharmaceutical substances with high efficiency and good resolution. The ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography (UHPLC) has been considered to meet this challenge. However, it was found that this fast method has also serious disadvantages. The range of applications of the UHPLC in the analysis of pharmaceutical substances and dosage forms is currently extensively discussed. In this study we investigated the consequences of the shortening of the analysis time of the liquid chromatographic method. Bosentan, a non-peptide antagonist of human endothelin receptors, was chosen as an example in this study, due to its therapeutic importance and lack of the reported analytical methods of the drug product. Two high-performance, reversed phase liquid chromatography methods with UV detection at 220 nm were developed for this purpose. Both methods were validated and the resulting performance characteristics were compared. The first separation (method A) was achieved on Kinetex column, (2.6 µ C18 1OOA, 150 x 4.6 mm), the second-fast (method B) employed Kinetex column, (1.7 µ XB-C18 100A 50 x 3.0 mm). Both methods were performed with a buffered mobile phase containing 0.1% of triethylamine in water brought to the pH 2.5 with phosphoric acid and methanol as the solvent A and acetonitrile as the solvent B. Gradient program was used and flow rate of 0.8 mL/min and 0.4 mL/min, for the methods A and B, respectively. The methods were validated according to the ICH guidelines for specificity, precision on the specified and LOQ limits, intermediate precision, accuracy, linearity (correlation co-efficient =0.999) and robustness. The robustness was confirned using four factors: the mobile phase pH, the flow rate of the mobile phase, column temperature and the second column of the same kind. The limits of detection and quantification were established as 0.0132 and 0.1505 µg/mL for methods A and B, respectively. Both validated methods complied with the acceptance criteria. The method B was 3.5 times faster than the method A, but the method A showed much better sensitivity. The resolution between compound B and bosentan was 3.39 and 1.75 for methods A and B, respectively. The lower sensitivity limits the use of Method B, especially in the analyses at low levels of active substances (e.g., bioanalysis, validation of the cleaning procedures) and makes method A more suitable for this purpose.

[Cancer research: a privileged field of investigation on chance, reductionism and holism]. / La recherche sur le cancer - un champ privilégié pour penser les rapports entre hasard, réductionnisme et holisme.

The debate between reductionism and anti-reductionism, dealing with the ultimate constituents of the world, is one of the fundamental issues in the philosophy of science. However, in biology, reductionism is less of an ontological and more of an epistemological question: it argues that the explanation of biological processes resides in deciphering the genetic code of living entities. This position is still prevalent in cancer biology, which has long been defined as a cellular process where genetic alterations are responsible for aberrant proliferation. While the hypothesis of somatic mutations remains the central theoretical model, a bundle of experimental data reveals how important the disturbances of tissue organisation are in cancer development, leading to a renewal of holistic and organicist approaches. This latter perspective in particular attempts to contextualise and rethink the centrality of the genetic level by proposing a new conception of cancerogenesis as a tissue disease.

Cephalic index in the evaluation of surgical treatment of children with sagittal synostosis. Preliminary report.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To analyze changes of the cephalic index (CI) values in patients with sagittal synostosis operated on in the Department of Surgery of Children and Adolescents of the Institute of Mother and Child in Warsaw. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 14 consecutive cases (11 boys and 3 girls). In 8 patients younger than 3 months of age (1st subgroup) the modified reversed-pi technique (craniotomy in the shape of the reversed Greek π letter) was utilized. In 6 older infants and in patients with severe head deformity - the radical cranial vault reconstructions were performed (2nd subgroup). The statistical analysis of the preoperative (preop) and postoperative (postop) cephalic index (CI) values was done. RESULTS: For the entire study group the preop CI values ranged from 61 to 77 (mean 68.14, median 68.5) and postop CIs from 73 to 89 (mean 77.64, median 76). In the 1st subgroup the preop CIs ranged from 63 to 77 (mean 69.625, median 69) whereas the postop CIs from 69 to 89 (mean 78.125, median 76.5). In the 2nd subgroup the preop CI values ranged from 61 to 72 (mean 66.1667, median 66) and postop from 73 to 81 (mean 77, median 77). All the differences were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The values of cephalic index increased after both types of procedures. It signifies the correction of dolichocephaly in both subgroups of the patients. However, because of the small number of operated children, further studies are necessary.

[Psychiatric disorders and cognitive outcomes in children and adolescent with perinatally acquired HIV--a review]. / Zaburzenia psychiczne i poznawcze u dzieci z wrodzonym zakazeniem HIV--przeglad pismiennictwa.

The main focus of research on consequences of HIV infection is on adult population and not much attention is given to children, especially to children with perinatally acquired HIV. Researches have shown higher frequency of mental disorders in this group. HIV infection also has a negative impact on cognitive functions, especially attention concentration. Among the possible causes of mental disorders and cognitive impairment, attention is not only paid to the neurotoxic effects of HIV on the CNS, but also on other factors, such as awareness of chronic disease, the impact of opportunistic infections and side effects of antiviral therapy. Comorbid psychiatric disorders correlate with worse compliance and higher prevalence of risk behaviors among infected adolescents. This article reviews what is known about psychiatric disorders and cognitive disorders among perinatal HIV-infected children.

Quality of Life, Psychological Distress, and Nutritional Status of Polish Patients with Head and Neck Cancer Treated with Radiotherapy.

INTRODUCTION: Head and neck cancer (HNC) is a global epidemiological and clinical problem. In 2020, it was the seventh most common type of cancer worldwide. In 2019, HNC was the fourth most common cause of cancer death among men in Poland. Radiotherapy plays an important role in the treatment of patients with HNC at all clinical stages. However, it is associated with a significant rate of early and late adverse effects. As head and neck cancers are located close to vital anatomical structures, both the local progression of the disease and the treatments used can cause serious problems for patients with HNC, reducing their health-related quality of life (HRQoL) as well as increasing the risk of depressive disorders. Despite this, the current literature lacks research on these aspects of the therapeutic process in the Polish population. The aim of this study was to assess the early impact of radiotherapy on HRQoL outcomes, psychological distress, nutritional status, and overall performance of patients with HNC. METHODS: The study was carried out among 85 patients with HNC treated in the Inpatient Radiotherapy Unit of the Radiotherapy Department of the Lower Silesian Oncology Center in Wroclaw. The patients were asked to complete a set of questionnaires, including the EORTC QLQ-H&N35, the BDI, the NRS-2002, and the ECOG scale, at two time points: before the initiation of radiotherapy treatment and after a course of radiotherapy. The period between the assessments was 7 to 8 weeks. RESULTS: Our findings demonstrated a negative impact of radiotherapy on scores in all the cancer-specific symptom and functioning scales used in the study. As regards functioning scales, the largest differences were observed for senses and swallowing, whereas with symptoms scales, the largest differences were noted for "sticky saliva" and "dry mouth". Over half of the patients included in the study required nutritional support after radiotherapy treatment. We found statistically significant differences in the levels of depressive symptom severity before and after radiotherapy treatment. CONCLUSION: The present study showed significant changes in the physical and psychological functioning and nutritional status of the patients with HNC studied after radiotherapy treatment, which may have an impact on the effectiveness of cancer treatment.

The King's Lace Bug Recaredus rex Distant, 1909 (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Tingidae): Systematic Position, First Palaearctic and Afrotropical Records, and Ecological Niche Modelling.

The systematic position and actual distribution of Recaredus rex, for a long time one of the most enigmatic lace bug genus and species, is very obscure because only the type specimen and three other individuals from India are known to date. In the present paper, we report the first records of R. rex from the Palaearctic region (Iran) and tropical Africa (Ghana). Based on the occurrence localities and climatic variables, we predict potentially useful ecological niches for this species using Maxent software. The areas with the best environmental conditions for R. rex indicated in our studies suggest its possible Palaeotropical distribution. Moreover, we regard these results as a good starting point for further searches for specimens of this species. This might help verify the hypothesis of the broad Palaeotropical distribution of R. rex and its oligo- or polyphagy. In addition, the lace bug genus Recaredus, based on the diagnostic characteristics provided for the tribe Acalyptaini, and the structure of aedeagus, is transferred from the tribe Ypsotingini to the Acalyptaini. A key to all genera currently included in the latter tribe is also provided.

Comparison of growth dynamics in different types of MPS: an attempt to explain the causes.

BACKGROUND: Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) are a group of lysosomal storage disorders caused by deficient activity of enzymes responsible for the catabolism of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), resulting in progressive damage to various tissues and organs. Affected individuals present with skeletal deformities, bone growth impairment, joint stiffness and frequently mental retardation. RESULTS: The objective of the study was to summarise over 30 years of observations of the growth dynamics in patients with different types of MPS, performed at the Children's Memorial Health Institute (CMHI, Warsaw, Poland). A retrospective analysis of anthropometric data collected from 1989 to 2020 was performed for 195 patients with MPS I, MPS II, MPS III, MPS IVA and MPS VI. Mean values for birth body length were statistically significantly greater than in the general population. The mean z-scores for other MPS groups showed that until the 24th month of life, the growth pattern for all patients was similar, and the average z-scores for body height were greater than in reference charts. Afterwards, growth patterns began to differentiate for MPS groups. CONCLUSIONS: The long-term follow up showed that the growth pattern in patients with all types of mucopolysaccharidoses significantly deviates from the general population. Patients with MPS IVA had the most severe growth impairments compared to other patients in the study group. Neuropathic MPS I and II demonstrated severe growth impairments compared to other patients in this study. Patients with MPS III showed the mildest growth impairments compared to other MPS patients and reached the 3rd percentile last.

Management of pain in colorectal cancer patients.

In this review we focus on the pathophysiology of CRC-related pain and discuss currently applied pain management. Pain is a symptom reported by over 70 % of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. It remains a feared and debilitating consequence of both cancer and cancer-related treatment. There are many options for pain management in CRC, consisting of intravenous, oral or topical medications. In order to address the full spectrum of pain, proper treatment should address the nociceptive, neuropathic and/or psychogenic pain component. Currently available methods do not bring pain relief to satisfying number of patients and, if used improperly, can cause a number of complications. Therefore, future treatments should focus primarily on alleviating pain, but also on reducing possible side effects. In this article we cover recent and promising pharmacological and non- pharmacological developments emerging in the field of CRC treatment.

Oxidative Stress Does Not Influence Subjective Pain Sensation in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients.

Oxidative stress (OS) has been proposed as a significant causative and propagating factor in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). Modulation of OS is possible through antioxidants and inhibition of oxidizing enzymes. Thirty-one IBD patients and thirty-two controls were included in the study. The aim was to examine the levels of OS in colonic tissue of IBD requiring surgical intervention and control group, and their association with pain intensity. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity, glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) levels, and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity as markers of antioxidant defense were determined. Cyclooxygenases activities (Total COX, COX-1 and COX-2) were measured as prooxidant enzymes. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) concentrations were measured to evaluate lipid peroxidation. Disease activity was assessed, and each subject filled out VAS and Laitinen's pain assessment scales. Correlation between the OS, pain intensity, disease activity parameters, C-reactive protein (CRP), number of stools passed daily, disease duration, and dietary habits was investigated. No TAC differences were found between the groups. A significant decrease of SOD activity and GSH and GSSG levels was seen in IBD patients vs. controls, while GPX activity was diminished significantly only in CD patients. CAT and COX-1 activity was increased, and COX-2 significantly decreased in IBD. TBARS were significantly higher in CD patients compared to control group. No correlation was found between pain scores, inflammatory status, disease activity, disease duration, or dietary habits and OS markers. In our study, OS did not influence pain sensation reported by IBD patients.

The 25(OH)D3, but Not 1,25(OH)2D3 Levels Are Elevated in IBD Patients Regardless of Vitamin D Supplementation and Do Not Associate with Pain Severity or Frequency.

Due to its immunomodulatory effect, vitamin D has been associated with clinical parameters and outcomes in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) which are chronic conditions of the gastrointestinal tract. Upon synthesis or digestion, vitamin D is metabolized in the liver to form 25(OH)D3, the major circulating metabolite. Further renal hydroxylation generates 1,25(OH)2D3, the most potent metabolite. Our aim was to examine the association between vitamin D levels, and its supplementation and pain intensity in 39 IBD patients and 33 healthy individuals. 25(OH)D3 and 1,25(OH)2D3 serum levels were measured. Each subject filled out visual analog scale (VAS) and Laitinen's pain assessment scales. Laboratory results were obtained, and disease activity was assessed. Linear regression was employed to investigate the correlation between 25(OH)D3, 1,25(OH)2D3 and pain intensity, clinical activity parameters, C-reactive protein, disease duration, and dietary habits. In IBD patients, 25(OH)D3 was increased, whereas 1,25(OH)2D3 was not. Vitamin D3 supplementation did not influence their levels. No correlation was found between pain scores, disease activity, inflammatory status, disease duration or dietary habits and both forms of vitamin D. Elevated 25(OH)D3 and normal 1,25(OH)D3 were found in IBD patients as compared to the controls. We discovered no effect from supplementation and no association between pain severity and vitamin D.