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Biomedical subjects

J Bellanger

Publications and source records attributed to J Bellanger.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Videocapsule endoscopy as a useful tool to diagnose primary intestinal lymphangiectasia].

INTRODUCTION: Primary intestinal lymphangiectasia (Waldmann's disease) lead to a protein-losing enteropathy due to lymph leak into intestinal tract. EXEGESIS: A 28-year-old woman presented a bilateral lower limb lymphedema. Laboratory examination showing lymphopenia, hypoalbuminemia, hypogammaglobulinemia suggested the diagnosis of primary intestinal lymphangiectasia. Gastroscopy was normal and second duodenum biopsies were negative. Videocapsule endoscopy gave evidence of intestinal lymphangiectasia of the small bowel. CONCLUSION: Videocapsule endoscopy may be proposed to confirm intestinal lymphangiectasia and to precise their localization when gastroscopy is not conclusive.

Adult↗

Effects of two fermentable carbohydrates (inulin and resistant starch) and their combination on calcium and magnesium balance in rats.

Resistant starch and inulin are complex carbohydrates that are fermented by the microflora and known to increase colonic absorption of minerals in animals. The fermentation of these substrates in the large bowel to short-chain fatty acids is the main reason for this increase in mineral absorption. The purpose of the present study was to examine the potential synergistic effect of a combination of these two fermentable carbohydrates. For this purpose, thirty-two adult male Wistar rats weighing 200 g were used in the present study. The rats were distributed into four groups, and fed for 21 d a fibre-free basal purified diet or diet containing 100 g inulin, or 150 g resistant starch (raw potato starch)/kg diet or a blend of 50 g inulin and 75 g resistant starch/kg diet. After an adaptation period of 14 d, the rats were then transferred to metabolic cages and dietary intake, faeces and urine were monitored for 5 d. The animals were then anaesthetized and caecal Ca and Mg absorption were measured. Finally, the rats were killed and blood, caecum and tissues were sampled. Ca and Mg levels were assessed in diets, faeces, urine, caecum and plasma by atomic absorption spectrometry. Our results confirmed that inulin and resistant starch ingestion led to considerable caecal fermentation in the three experimental groups compared with the control group diet. Moreover, both carbohydrates significantly increased the intestinal absorption and balance of Ca and Mg, without altering the plasma level of these two minerals. Interestingly, the combination of the studied carbohydrates increased significantly the caecal soluble Ca and Mg concentrations, the apparent intestinal absorption and balance of Ca, and non-significantly the plasma Mg level. In conclusion, a combination of different carbohydrates showed synergistic effects on intestinal Ca absorption and balance in rats. Further studies with other types of carbohydrate combinations should be carried out to extend these findings.

Animals↗

[Collagenous colitis. A study of 11 cases].

BACKGROUND: Collagenous colitis (CC) is a rare large bowel inflammatory disorder. The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze extra-digestive manifestations of CC, associated systemic diseases, clinical course and response to therapeutic regimens. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 1989 and 1999, eleven patients were diagnosed as having CC, in two Departments of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, on the basis of usual criteria: chronic watery diarrhea, endoscopic examination showing normal findings and subepithelial collagen band thicker than 10 micrometer. RESULTS: Ten women and one man, age 39 to 88 years (mean: 66.6), had had their diarrhea for 1 to 240 months before diagnosis (mean: 48). Associated extra-digestive manifestations were: weight loss (3 cases out of 11), inflammatory arthralgia (4 cases), fever (2 cases), pelvispondylitis (2 cases), autoimmune thyroiditis (2 cases), and Sharp syndrome (1 cases). Laboratory abnormalities were: inflammatory syndrome (3 cases), anemia (5 cases), hypogammaglobulinemia (3 cases), and hypoalbuminemia (4 cases). Stool cultures and parasite examination were negative in all patients. Therapy used successively for CC until resolution of chronic diarrhea (uncontrolled with symptomatic treatment) was: sulfasalazine in 7 patients (beneficial (B) in 5 out of 7), 5-aminosalicylic acid in 6 (B: 2/6), corticosteroids in 2 (B: 2/2), azathioprine in 1 (B: 1/1). After a mean follow-up of 18 months (range: 1-72), resolution of CC was observed in 8 out of 11 patients. DISCUSSION: Mean characteristics of CC were: female predominance (91%), presence of extra-digestive manifestations (36%); mucosal inflammation with subepithelial collagen band and frequent association to rheumatic or autoimmune diseases suggest an immune basis for CC. Usefulness of systematic colon biopsies is underlined. Clinical course is often favorable with sulfasalazine and 5-aminosalicylate acid. Corticosteroids are rarely used.

Adult↗

Long-term consumption of red wine does not modify intestinal absorption or status of zinc and copper in rats.

Red wines contain many components such as polyphenols and ethanol that may influence mineral absorption. We report on studies in a rat model that were designed to investigate the extent to which short- and long-term intake of red wine or ethanol may influence (67)Zn and (65)Cu absorption in rats. Rats (n = 96) were divided into three groups, a control group that received demineralized water, a group that received red wine diluted with water (v/v) and an ethanol group that received 6% ethanol. Half of each group was used for the short-term study; the others were used for the long-term study. After 3 d (short-term study) or 28 d (long-term study) of beverage consumption, the rats were gavaged with 2 mL of solution containing 2027 nmol (67)Zn and 902 nmol (65)Cu. Subsequently, 3-d urinary and fecal collections were performed and analyzed for total and isotopic Zn and Cu. In the long-term study, blood, tibia and liver were also sampled for mineral status assessment. Neither short- nor long-term intake of red wine altered (67)Zn or (65)Cu absorption. In contrast, long-term (but not short-term) ethanol consumption significantly increased both (67)Zn and (65)Cu absorption compared with the control and red wine groups. The long-term consumption of ethanol or red wine did not affect blood or tissue Zn or Cu levels. In conclusion, short- or long-term consumption of red wine did not have a negative effect on intestinal absorption or tissue levels of zinc and Cu in rats.

Animals↗

[Edematous syndrome revealing an exudative lymphocytic gastritis: efficacy of omeprazole].

Lymphocytic gastritis is characterized by intense lymphocytic infiltration of gastric epithelium. Excessive gastric protein loss is uncommon. We describe the case of a 49-year-old white woman suffering from generalized edema and abdominal pain. She had severe serum hypoproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia and hypogammaglobulinemia. There was no renal, cardiac or hepatic origin of protein loss, and no protein-losing enteropathy. Endoscopic examination showed diffuse varioliform gastritis and histology confirmed lymphocytic gastritis with > 30% intraepithelial lymphocytes without Helicobacter pylori. The protein loss stopped within two weeks of the beginning of omeprazole and extensive edema disappeared. Four years later, the patient was still free from edema. Inflammatory involvement of the gastric mucosa probably caused protein losing in this patient. Recognition of this exsudative gastropathy is important because long term remission is obtained with omeprazole.

Abdominal Pain↗

Wholewheat flour ensures higher mineral absorption and bioavailability than white wheat flour in rats.

Consumption of unrefined whole flour is thought to affect mineral bioavailability because it contains high levels of fibre and phytic acid. The present experiment was designed to study the absorption of minerals from diets based on wholewheat flour and white wheat flour in rats. Two groups of male Wistar rats were fed on the diets for 3 weeks and absorption and tissue retention of minerals were studied. The rats fed on the wholewheat flour diet had significantly greater food intake, weight gain, faecal excretion and intestinal fermentation than those fed on the white flour diet. Mineral intakes, except for Ca, were significantly greater in rats fed on the wholewheat flour diet (4-fold for Mg, 2-fold for Fe and Zn). A significant rise in the apparent absorption of Fe (%) and a significant decrease in the apparent absorption of Zn (%) were observed. The amounts of minerals absorbed (mg/d) were significantly enhanced (excepted for Ca) with the wholewheat flour diet. Moreover, plasma and tibia levels of Mg and plasma, liver and tibia levels of Fe were significantly increased in rats fed on the wholewheat flour diet compared with those fed on the white flour diet. In conclusion, wholewheat flour, rich in phytic acid and minerals, did not have a negative effect on mineral absorption, but rather improved the bioavailability of some minerals. Human studies are needed to confirm these rat results before extrapolation to human nutrition.

Absorption↗

Influence of age and hormonal treatment on intestinal absorption of magnesium in ovariectomised rats.

This study was designed to assess the effect of age, ovariectomy and estrogen treatment on the absorption and the balance of Mg in the rat. Three groups of fifteen 6- (mature), 12- (old), and 30-month-old female rats (senescent), fed a diet containing 1.5 g of Mg/kg were used in the present study. Within each group, 10 rats were surgically ovariectomized (OVX). From day 2 until day 60 after OVX, they were s.c. injected with either solvant or 17 beta-estradiol (E: 10 mg/kg bw/48 h, n = 5). Five other rats were sham operated (SH, n = 5) and received solvent alone. Animals were pair fed 6 g/100 g bw/day and distilled water was available ad libitum. Food intake, urine and feces from each individual rat were measured 1 day per week, during the last 5 weeks. The results clearly showed that apparent Mg absorption (per cent) was not significantly altered with aging. Moreover, whatever the age, neither OVX nor E treatment had any significant effect on Mg apparent absorption.

Age Factors↗

Intestinal fermentation lessens the inhibitory effects of phytic acid on mineral utilization in rats.

The specific effects of phytic acid (PA) and resistant starch (RS) on mineral bioavailability, namely, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn and Cu, were investigated in rats adapted to semipurified diets. The diets provided either 73 g/100 g digestible wheat starch (DS) alone, or 53 g/100 g DS plus 20 g/100 g crude potato starch (RS) and either 0 or 1.1 g/100 g PA. A period of 3 wk was first planned to adapt the rats to their respective diets. Compared with rats fed the DS diets, those fed the RS diets had significant cecal hypertrophy and an accumulation of short-chain fatty acids, together with greater cecal blood flow. RS enhanced the cecal absorption of Ca and Mg (from 0.15 to 0.55 micromol/min for Ca, and from 0.10 to 0.35 micromol/min for Mg). Mineral balance was enhanced significantly by RS (Ca, +46%; Mg +50%; Fe +20%; Zn, + 33% and Cu, +61%). PA had no significant effect on Ca or Mg solubility and absorption in the cecum, and it failed to alter significantly Ca or Mg balance. The apparent absorption of Fe, Zn and Cu was significantly lower in rats fed the DS + PA diet than in rats fed the DS diet (Fe, -35%; Zn, -28%; and Cu, -31%). In rats adapted to the RS diet, the inhibitory effects of PA were practically abolished and the mineral balance was restored to the control values. We conclude that the negative effects of PA on mineral balance are relatively minor compared with the stimulatory effect of RS.

Animals↗

Effect of soluble or partly soluble dietary fibres supplementation on absorption and balance of calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc in healthy young men.

OBJECTIVES: This study is aimed at investigating the effect of feeding a soluble or partly soluble fibre rich-diet on the apparent absorption and balance of calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc in healthy young men, by using a chemical balance technique. STUDY DESIGN: Nine healthy young men were given a control diet or the same diet complemented with either inulin (soluble) or sugar beet fibre (partly soluble) during 28 d periods according to a 3 x 3 latin square design with three repetitions. During the 20 d adaptation period to fibre ingestion, experimental fibres were incorporated into bread (60%) and liquid foods (40%) up to a maximum of 40 g/d. Ca, Mg, Fe and Zn were measured in diets and in a 8 d urine and faecal composites to assess mineral absorption and balance. RESULTS: The dietary mineral intake provided (mg/d) 859 +/- 196 of Ca; 311 +/- 43 of Mg; 11.6 +/- 1.7 of Fe; and 11.1 +/- 1.6 of Zn from the control diet. The apparent absorption of minerals from the control diet was (%) Ca: 21.3 +/- 12.5; Mg: 46.3 +/- 10.9; Fe: 21.8 +/- 12.3 and Zn: 14.0 +/- 14.5 (mean +/- s.d.). Ingestion of inulin significantly increased the apparent absorption and the balance of Ca. Sugar beet fibre ingestion resulted in a significant increase in Ca intake and balance, without modification its apparent absorption. Apparent absorption and balance of Mg, Fe and Zn were not significantly altered by the ingestion of either experimental fibre. CONCLUSIONS: Addition of the two experimental fibres (inulin or sugar beet fibre) to normal mixed diets can improve Ca balance without adverse effects on other mineral retention. SPONSORSHIP: This project was supported by the French Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Foods (programme Aliment #2002-Aliment Demain; No. 906335). The authors acknowledge the société Agro Industries, Recherche et Developpement (Mr R. De Baynast) who supplied them with the experimental fibres.

Absorption↗

Study of magnesium bioavailability using stable isotopes and the inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry technique in the rat: single and double labelling approaches.

The present work aimed to investigate the feasibility of using stable isotopes and inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP/MS) to study Mg absorption in rats. Male Wistar rats, aged 7 weeks and weighing 180 g, were used. They were fed on a semi-purified diet containing 1070 mg Mg/kg, and had free access to feed and distilled water. In the first experiment, after a 16 d adaptation period, two doses of enriched 25Mg (6 and 12 mg) were administered by oral intubation, faeces and urine were collected daily and blood was sampled. Isotope ratios were determined by ICP/MS. 'True' absorption values, using the faecal isotope data, were 0.63 and 0.56 in rats receiving 6 and 12 mg 25Mg respectively, while apparent absorption was 0.50 for two successive periods of metabolic balance studies. Moreover, the oral isotope administration resulted in a measurable isotopic enrichment in plasma within hours which was still detectable on the third day following the isotope administration. In the second experiment, investigating the double labelling technique, similar rats were dosed simultaneously with 5 mg 26Mg orally (premixed with diet) and 0.29 mg 25Mg intravenously. The calculated Mg true absorption values were very similar when calculated from blood or urine data (0.38) but were lower than that obtained from faecal data (0.50). The possible causes of such an unexpected difference and limits of the double labelling technique for Mg absorption are discussed here. Together these results indicate that although 25Mg and 26Mg isotopes have high natural abundance, the described methodology permits meaningful investigations of Mg bioavailability and metabolism.

Administration, Oral↗

Parenteral magnesium loading test in the assessment of magnesium status in healthy adult French subjects.

Parenteral magnesium loading test has been proposed as an adequate mean to evaluate magnesium status. However, applied tests vary among different laboratories and standardized procedure is not available. In the present study, we assessed magnesium status in 32 healthy adult French subjects by magnesium loading test using MgCl2 and determination of magnesium concentrations in plasma and erythrocytes. We observed a positive correlation between plasma and erythrocyte magnesium concentrations, but there was no correlation between magnesium retention and basal urinary excretion of magnesium, and plasma or erythrocyte magnesium concentrations.

Adult↗

Demonstration of efficacy of combining corticosteroids and colchicine in two patients with idiopathic sclerosing mesenteritis.

Sclerosing mesenteritis is an uncommon condition of unknown etiology. It is likely to be the fibrous evolution of mesenteric panniculitis. It often has an indolent course but may be complicated by progressive bowel obstruction. The treatment of the symptomatic forms is not well established. The observations of two women (20 and 65 years old) with a relentless downhill course of biopsy-proved sclerosing mesenteritis are described. A treatment regimen with corticosteroid therapy (initially 1 mg/kg/day) and colchicine (1 mg/day) led, in both cases, to a rapid improvement. Abdominal computer tomography showed reduction in the tumor size. The combination of corticosteroids and colchicine is helpful in the management of symptomatic sclerosing mesenteritis. Follow-up with abdominal computed tomography is useful in evaluating the therapeutic impact.

Adult↗

Diets deficient in selenium and vitamin E affect plasma lipoprotein and apolipoprotein concentrations in the rat.

The present study examined the effects of Se, vitamin E and combined Se and vitamin E deficiencies in rats on plasma lipid, lipoprotein and apolipoprotein (apo) concentrations. Deficiencies were induced by feeding rats the respective diets for 6 weeks. The study shows that Se deficiency results in increased concentrations of plasma cholesterol and apo E. Both could be explained by an increase in the HDL1 fraction. Vitamin E deficiency alone had no significant effect on plasma lipid, lipoprotein and apo concentrations. Se deficiency in combination with vitamin E deficiency leads to an increase in plasma LDL and apo B concentrations. These results point to the need for further investigations on the mechanism by which Se deficiency affects lipoprotein metabolism.

Animals↗

[Treatment of Crohn disease in adults].

Corticosteroids are an efficient treatment for active Crohn's disease. The treatment has to be undertaken with a daily intake equivalent to 1 mg/kg per day of prednisolone for a 3 to 7 week period. Immunosuppressive agents are indicated in case of corticodependency or in case of large intestinal resection. Artificial nutrition (enteral or parenteral) is proposed in corticoresistant forms, and is usually followed by an immunosuppressive therapy. Surgical management is reserved for complications, including resistance to all medical therapy. Surgical resection has to be limited in order to avoid a short bowel syndrome. Surgery should not be considered as the ideal therapy as it has been demonstrated that recurrence after surgery increases at distance. 5-aminosalycilates compounds are an alternative therapy in mild attacks. Mesalazine may reduce the recurrence and could be considered as a possible maintenance treatment.

Adult↗

The mineral and trace element composition in French food items and intake levels in France.

A table was made of the composition of mineral and trace elements in different classes of French food items. The P, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, I and Se contents of the main categories of food are presented. The mineral and trace element intakes of the average French consumer were calculated from national survey data concerning all food items purchased by households. The intakes and the sources of the different elements are given related to the energy. These results were calculated for male and female adults receiving 2700 kcal and 2000 kcal, respectively, and compared with the recommended dietary allowances (RDA). Phosphorus and calcium intakes were adequate, as was iron for men. The intakes of Mg, Cu, Mn were between 80 and 100% of the RDA. For Zn, I, Se the intakes were lower (50-80% of the RDA). The iron deficiency observed in women is serious, and the selenium deficit in men may induce real biochemical subdeficiencies with clinical consequences.

Diet↗

[A case of polypoid solitary colonic plasmocytoma].

One case of polypoid solitary plasmacytoma in the sigmoid colon of a 60 year-old woman is presented. Plasmacytomas are rarely observed in the gastrointestinal tract and are especially uncommon in the côlon. Eight cases were published since 1972. They show a mean age of 46.3 years, a sex-ratio of 1/1, varying revealing symptoms, and no preferential colonic location. Two differential diagnosis must be discussed: an inflammatory pseudotumor, and a multiple myeloma related tumor. Multiple myeloma must be ruled out by a complete radiographic and biological research. Surgery is the only therapy described and seems to be efficient.

Colonic Polyps↗

[Nutritional biological markers of deficiencies of zinc, copper and selenium].

Direct and indirect indices used for the assessment of copper, zinc or selenium status in humans are reviewed. Variations, advantages and disadvantages are discussed. Despite the numerous indices, none of them provide a satisfactory assessment of the nutritional status for these trace elements. The best indices are probably serum zinc and alkaline phosphatase for the assessment of zinc status, serum selenium for the assessment of selenium status and possibly erythrocyte Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase for the assessment of copper status.

Adolescent↗