[Complicated ulcerative colitis].
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Publications and source records attributed to H C Rath.
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60-80% of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) develop extraintestinal manifestations. These complications are mostly the result of the underlying disease, deficiencies, or drug therapy and can significantly reduce the quality of life of patients with IBD. The most evident manifestations affect the perianal region, joints, skin, and eyes. Regular check-ups and early substitution in addition to a consistent therapy of the chronic intestinal inflammation usually lead to a significant reduction of the extraintestinal symptoms.
Photodynamic diagnosis and especially therapy after sensitization with 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is hampered by limitations of uptake and distribution of ALA due to its hydrophilic nature. Chemical modification of ALA into its more lipophilic esters seems to be promising to overcome these problems. The aim of the present study was to investigate the comparative kinetics of protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) fluorescence in rat colonic tissue after topical application of ALA and its esterified derivatives, ALA-hexylester (h-ALA), ALA-methylester (m-ALA) and ALA-benzylester (b-ALA). Fluorescence intensity induced by PPIX in normal colonic tissue was quantified using fluorescence microscopy at 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 h after sensitization. Mucosa exhibited higher fluorescence levels compared to the underlying submucosa or smooth muscle. Peak fluorescence intensities were seen 4 h after local sensitization with 86.0 mol ml(-1) ALA (513 +/- 0.57 counts per pixel), 6.6 mol ml(-1) m-ALA (508 +/- 35.50) and 4.8 mol ml(-1) h-ALA (532 +/- 128.80), and 6 h after sensitization with 4.6 mol ml(-1) b-ALA (468 +/- 190.27). A 13-18 times lower concentration of ALA esters was required for fluorescence intensities reached with ALA alone. A similar degree of the fluorescence ratio between mucosa and muscularis (5-6:1) was detected for ALA and its derivatives. The time point of the maximum value of this ratio was consistent with peak fluorescence levels for ALA and each ALA-ester. The clinical feasibility and the advantages of topical ALA ester-based fluorescence for detection of malignant and premalignant lesions need further investigations.
Resident bacteria are incriminated in the pathogenesis of experimental colitis and inflammatory bowel diseases. We investigated the relative roles of various enteric bacteria populations in the induction and perpetuation of experimental colitis. HLA-B27 transgenic rats received antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, metronidazole, or vancomycin-imipenem) in drinking water or water alone in either prevention or treatment protocols. Mice were treated similarly with metronidazole or vancomycin-imipenem before or after receiving 5% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS). Germfree transgenic rats were colonized with specific-pathogen-free enteric bacteria grown overnight either in anaerobic or aerobic atmospheres. Nontransgenic rats colonized with anaerobic bacteria served as negative controls. Although preventive metronidazole significantly attenuated colitis in transgenic rats and DSS-treated mice, it had no therapeutic benefit once colitis was established. Ciprofloxacin also partially prevented but did not treat colitis in B27 transgenic rats. In both animal models vancomycin-imipenem most effectively prevented and treated colitis. Germfree transgenic rats reconstituted with enteric bacteria grown under anaerobic conditions had more aggressive colitis than those associated with aerobic bacteria. These results suggest that a subset of resident luminal bacteria induces colitis, but that a complex interaction of commensal aerobic and anaerobic bacteria provides the constant antigenic drive for chronic immune-mediated colonic inflammation.
In acute DSS-induced colitis nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB-dependent inflammatory cytokines including IL-1 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) are up-regulated. Here we examined the effects of gliotoxin, a fungal metabolite known to inhibit NF-kappaB activity, on cytokine production by a mouse cell system in vitro and on intestinal inflammation and NF-kappaB activation in vivo. In vitro gliotoxin decreased TNF-alpha gene expression and protein production by RAW-264.7 mouse macrophage-like cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide. In vivo, gliotoxin treatment of mice was begun on day 3 of 5% DSS application dissolved in the drinking water and continued until day 8. Gliotoxin treatment dose-dependently down-regulated colonic inflammation as assessed histologically and in parallel there was a suppression of colonic TNF-alpha and IL-1alpha mRNA expression on day 8 as analysed by semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (P < 0.01). Furthermore, colonic NF-kappaB DNA-binding activity was increased in DSS-induced colitis and was suppressed by gliotoxin. These results demonstrate the essential role of NF-kappaB in DSS-induced colitis and indicate a molecular approach to the treatment of intestinal inflammatory disorders.
BACKGROUND & AIMS: Recent data support an important role of resident luminal bacteria in experimental colitis. We determined how altered cecal bacterial loads influence colitis and gastritis. METHODS: A cecal self-filling blind loop (SFBL) was created or the cecum was excluded from the fecal stream in specific pathogen-free HLA-B27 transgenic (TG) rats with early colitis and in nontransgenic (nonTG) littermates; controls underwent sham operation (SHAM). Luminal bacterial concentrations were determined by culture and counting chamber. RESULTS: TG rats with SFBL had more severe cecal inflammation and leukocytosis than TG SHAM controls. TG excluded rats with low cecal bacterial loads had no cecal inflammation and less colitis and gastritis than SHAM controls, despite having normal distal colonic and gastric bacterial concentrations. Metronidazole attenuated cecal inflammation and eliminated Bacteroides in SFBL TG rats. NonTG SFBL rats had mild cecal inflammation and no gastritis and colitis. The ratio of total anaerobic to aerobic bacteria was 1000-fold greater in SFBL than in SHAM rats, with a 10,000-fold increased ratio of Bacteroides spp. to aerobes. CONCLUSIONS: The luminal bacterial load and composition determines the activity of cecal inflammation in genetically susceptible hosts. Lowering cecal bacterial concentrations can diminish inflammation in remote organs.
Resident bacteria play an important role in initiating and perpetuating gastrointestinal inflammation. We previously demonstrated that six commensal bacteria including Bacteroides vulgatus caused more aggressive colitis and gastritis in HLA-B27 transgenic rats than did the other five bacteria without B. vulgatus. This study compared the degree of gastrointestinal inflammation in gnotobiotic HLA-B27 transgenic rats monoassociated with either B. vulgatus or Escherichia coli. Gnotobiotic transgenic rats raised in Trexler isolators were selectively colonized with either B. vulgatus or E. coli. Control rats were either germfree or colonized with six common commensal bacteria (Streptococcus faecium, E. coli, Streptococcus avium, Eubacterium contortum, Peptostreptococcus productus, and B. vulgatus [DESEP-B]). After 1 month, all the rats were killed and tissues were prepared for histologic and biochemical evaluation. Colitis induced by B. vulgatus monoassociation was almost equal to that in DESEP-B-colonized rats and was significantly more severe than E. coli-induced colitis, which was absent by histological testing and mild by colonic myeloperoxidase and interleukin-1beta concentration determinations. However, gastritis was detectable only in DESEP-B-associated rats. These studies suggest that not all resident bacteria have equal proinflammatory capabilities, since B. vulgatus alone is more active than E. coli alone in inducing colitis, and that colitis and gastritis result from different luminal bacterial stimuli.
BACKGROUND: In many cases inflammatory bowel disease is accompanied by extraintestinal manifestations. This results in lowering of live quality. The aim of this study was to gather data retrospectively about initial symptoms, extraintestinal manifestations and course of pregnancy in a large unselected population with inflammatory bowel disease in South Germany. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data from 1975 to 1989 (392 patients) were analyzed and partially compared with data from 1992 to 1995 (211 patients). RESULTS: Patients with Crohn's disease in average have been 25 years old at the time point of initial symptoms, whereas the age of ulcerative colitis patients was 30 years (p < 0.0001). The number of Crohn's disease patients with a long interval between initial symptoms and diagnosis (> 1 year) was significantly decreased in the second population (50% vs 38%; p < 0.05). Dominant initial symptoms in Crohn's disease were indisposition, abdominal pain and nonbloody diarrhea in contrast to ulcerative colitis which manifested mostly with bloody diarrhea. Extraintestinal manifestations occurred in 76% of patients with Crohn's disease and 64.6% with ulcerative colitis. Complications during the course of pregnancy have been detected in 40.5% in Crohn's disease and 60% in ulcerative colitis. CONCLUSION: A better knowledge of initial symptoms and extraintestinal manifestations in inflammatory bowel disease can help to decrease the interval between initial symptoms and the diagnosis. Pregnancy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease needs to be treated with special care.
BACKGROUND: Deficiencies of vitamins and trace elements are frequent in inflammatory bowel disease. Aim of this study was to evaluate retrospectively the prevalence of these deficiencies and of liver complications in a large population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The records from 392 out-patients, 279 with Crohn's disease (160 female, 119 male) and 113 with ulcerative colitis (56 female, 57 male) were analyzed. RESULTS: Deficiencies were found in 85% of patients with Crohn's disease vs 68% with ulcerative colitis during the course of the disease, predominantly a deficiency of iron and of calcium. Less frequently deficiencies of zinc, protein, cyanocobalamin, and folic acid were found. Elevated liver enzymes were seen in 38% of patients with Crohn's disease vs 27% with ulcerative colitis. In order of frequency: gamma-glutamyl-transferase, ALAT, AP, ASAT, and bilirubin. Gallstones were present in 12% of patients with Crohn's disease and 4% with ulcerative colitis. 6% of patients with Crohn's disease and 4% with ulcerative colitis had kidney stones. CONCLUSIONS: In view of the high frequency of deficiencies in patients with inflammatory bowel disease it seems to be important to check frequently for extraintestinal complications.
A 25-year-old woman who had delivered a normal child after a normal pregnancy four months ago, was suffering from a common cold. The latter was treated by tetracyclines. A few days later she developed an acute severe hemolysis. Moreover she had signs of hepatic failure which was characterized by a considerably reduced synthetic capacity of the liver but low serum aminotransferase levels and a proximal renal tubular disorder. With a negative Coombs test an autoimmune hemolytic anemia was unlikely. Therefore diagnostic procedures were directed at the cause of the liver injury. An increased urinary excretion of copper, strongly elevated levels of liver tissue copper and the detection of a Kayser-Fleischer ring by slit-lamp examination proved the diagnosis of Wilson's disease-presenting clinically only as severe hemolysis. Ceruloplasmin concentration in serum was in low normal range and not diagnostic.
Genetic and environmental factors are important in the pathogenesis of clinical and experimental chronic intestinal inflammation. We investigated the influence of normal luminal bacteria and several groups of selected bacterial strains on spontaneous gastrointestinal and systemic inflammation in HLA-B27 transgenic rats. Rats maintained germfree for 3-9 mo were compared with littermates conventionalized with specific pathogen-free bacteria. Subsequently, germfree transgenic rats were colonized with groups of five to eight bacteria that were either facultative or strictly anaerobic. Transgenic germfree rats had no gastroduodenitis, colitis, or arthritis, but developed epididymitis and dermatitis to the same degree as conventionalized rats. Colonic proinflammatory cytokine expression was increased in transgenic conventionalized rats but was undetectable in germfree and nontransgenic rats. Colitis progressively increased over the first 4 wk of bacterial exposure, then plateaued. Only transgenic rats colonized with defined bacterial cocktails which contained Bacteroides spp. had colitis and gastritis. Normal luminal bacteria predictably and uniformly induce chronic colonic, gastric and systemic inflammation in B27 transgenic F344 rats, but all bacterial species do not have equal activities.
A specific plasma kallikrein inhibitor, Bz-Pro-Phe-boroArg (P8720), was used to define the relationship between the kallikrein-kinin (K-K) system and acute intestinal inflammation induced by bacterial peptidoglycan-polysaccharide (PG-APS) in Lewis rats. Group I received human serum albumin (HSA) intramurally in the intestine and was treated with HSA. Group II received PG-APS and was treated with P8720. Group III received PG-APS and was treated with HSA. P8720 attenuated the decrease of high-molecular-weight kininogen and factor XI activity (group II vs group III, P < 0.01). P8720 therapy significantly but modestly decreased acute intestinal inflammation measured by gross gut score (P < 0.01) and more dramatically reduced the tissue myeloperoxidase activity (P < 0.05), a measure of granulocyte recruitment, in group II compared with group III. We conclude that the K-K system is directly involved in the pathogenesis of the acute phase of experimental acute inflammation. A specific inhibitor may modulate inflammatory bowel disease.
Recent rodent models have been exploited to explore mechanisms of intestinal and joint inflammation. HLA-B27 transgenic rats develop colitis, gastritis, and arthritis when raised in a conventional environment, but have no evidence of inflammation under germfree (sterile) conditions. Metronidazole treatment attenuates gastrointestinal inflammation, suggesting that anaerobic bacteria are important. Experimental bacterial over-growth of predominantly anaerobic bacteria reactivates arthritis in Lewis rats which have been previously injected intra-articularly with bacterial cell wall polymers. Reactivation arthritis is mediated by interleukin-1, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, and can be blocked by metronidazole. Intramural injection of the bacterial cell wall polymer, peptidoglycan-polysaccharide, leads to biphasic, chronic granulomatous enterocolitis and peripheral arthritis in Lewis rats, but only transient intestinal inflammation and no arthritis in Buffalo or MHC-matched Fischer rats. Chronic granulomatous inflammation is mediated by T lymphocytes and interleukin-1 and is dependent on persistent antigenic stimulation by poorly biodegradable bacterial polymers. Results in these models firmly incriminate resident normal enteric flora (especially anaerobes), bacterial products, and host genetic susceptibility in the pathogenesis of spondyloarthropathies. We suggest that increased uptake of luminal bacterial components across the inflamed mucosa leads to systemic distribution of these arthropathic products. The genetically susceptible host develops reactive arthritis due to defective downregulation of inflammation in response to immunologically active bacterial components.
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Interleukin 10 (IL10) inhibits monocyte/macrophage and T lymphocyte effector functions. This study examined the effect of systemically administered IL10 on acute and chronic granulomatous enterocolitis, hepatitis, and arthritis in a rat model. METHODS: Lewis rats were injected intramurally with streptococcal peptidoglycan-polysaccharide (PG-APS) polymers. Beginning 12 hours before PG-APS injection, rats were treated daily with subcutaneous murine recombinant IL10 or vehicle for three or 17 days. RESULTS: IL10 attenuated acute enterocolitis in a dose dependent fashion (p < 0.01). Protective effects were more profound in the chronic granulomatous phase with decreased enterocolitis and markedly inhibited leucocytosis, hepatic granulomas, and chronic erosive arthritis (p < 0.001). IL10 downregulated tissue IL1, IL6, tumour necrosis factor alpha, and interferon gamma gene expression, consistent with the in vitro effects of IL10 on PG-APS-stimulated splenocytes. Caecal IL1 protein concentrations and IL2 and interferon gamma secretion by in vitro stimulated mesenteric lymph nodes were downregulated in IL10 treated animals. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that exogenous IL10 can inhibit experimental granulomatous inflammatory responses and suggest that IL10 treatment could be an effective new therapeutic approach in human disorders such as Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and sarcoidosis.