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Biomedical subjects

R N Butler

Publications and source records attributed to R N Butler.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Short-term zinc supplementation attenuates Helicobacter felis-induced gastritis in the mouse.

BACKGROUND: Mucosal damage by H. pylori infection is mainly caused by neutrophils producing large quantities of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Metallothionein (MT) an intracellular, low-molecular, cysteine-rich protein, which is inducible by dietary zinc (Zn), has been implicated in sequestering ROS. This study examines the effects of Zn supplementation on Helicobacter colonisation and associated gastritis and the relationship with gastric MT levels. METHODS: C57Bl/6 mice were inoculated with either 10(8) H. pylori or H. felis and were infected for 4 weeks or 6 and 12 weeks, respectively. Mice infected with H. pylori (4 weeks) or H. felis (6 weeks) were treated with either Zn acetate (ZnA; 1 mg/ml), or Zn sulphate (ZnSO4; 5 mg/ml) for 2 weeks with 0.1 ml oro-gastric gavage twice daily. H. pylori load and H. felis colonisation density were determined by culture and microscopy, respectively. MT levels and H. felis-induced gastritis were also determined. RESULTS: Zn treatment showed no significant difference in Helicobacter load and gastric MT, however, ZnSO4 treatment showed a significant (p<0.05) increased in gastric MT in H. felis infected mice. Both Zn-treated groups showed a significant (p<0.05) difference in gastritis score in the antrum of the stomach within the basal and submucosal compartments compared to H. felis-infected controls. CONCLUSIONS: We found that H. felis-induced gastritis can be attenuated by short-term treatment of Zn. This observation suggests that Zn alone may be effective for the suppression of gastric mucosal inflammation induced by Helicobacter.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed2003

First generation of pentazole (HN5, pentazolic acid), the final azole, and a zinc pentazolate salt in solution: A new N-dearylation of 1-(p-methoxyphenyl) pyrazoles, a 2-(p-methoxyphenyl) tetrazole and application of the methodology to 1-(p-methoxyphenyl) pentazole.

Ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) in methanol-water gave a new N-dearylation of a series of substituted 1-(p-methoxyphenyl) pyrazoles and a 2-(p-methoxyphenyl)tetrazole producing p-benzoquinone and the parent azole in a mole for mole ratio. Application of this reaction to 1-(p-methoxyphenyl) pentazole at -40 degrees C produced p-benzoquinone. 15N NMR spectra suggest that pentazole, HN5, was also produced and held in solution as N5- with Zn2+ ion. The 15N signal from N5- was -10.0 +/- 2.0 ppm in agreement with calculated values.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2001

Improvement in intestinal permeability precedes morphometric recovery of the small intestine in coeliac disease.

It is often difficult to assess small bowel recovery in adults with coeliac disease on a gluten-free diet (GFD). This prospective study compares changes in intestinal permeability with changes in intestinal biopsy at various intervals after commencing a GFD. Intestinal permeability was measured by lactulose/rhamnose absorption from 1 week to 24 months after commencing a GFD. Intestinal morphometry was measured by villus area, crypt length and mitotic count per crypt at diagnosis and after commencing a GFD. Median intestinal permeability values decreased from 0.47 (n = 35) at diagnosis to 0.25 (n = 17) after 1 week and to 0.16 (n = 18) after 2 months of a GFD. Rhamnose absorption improved significantly at an early stage, from 6.6% (untreated) to 15.4% at 3 months of a GFD, whereas the decrease in lactulose permeation took longer: from 3.4% (untreated) to 0.8% after 12 months of a GFD. Mean villus area (n = 29) was reduced to 16% of control values at diagnosis, and improved to a maximum of 48% after 6 months on a GFD, but did not change thereafter. Mean crypt length and mitotic count per crypt were increased by 222% and 356% respectively at diagnosis, and these parameters remained elevated at 172% and 216% above control values after 6 months of a GFD. We conclude that intestinal permeability improves within 2 months after starting a GFD, but that measurable intestinal biopsy improvement requires ingestion of a GFD for at least 3-6 months, and even then remains incomplete.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and apoptosis in the gastrointestinal tract: potential role of the pentose phosphate pathways.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most widely prescribed drugs, primarily for treatment of arthritis. NSAIDs can have two effects independent of their anti-inflammatory action. In the stomach and small bowel long term NSAID consumption can lead to ulceration, whereas in the colon NSAID use can regress existing tumours. In this review, we hypothesise that NSAID-induced damage occurs predominantly by promoting apoptosis, involving a number of mechanisms depending on the type and the redox state of the cell. In addition to inhibiting cyclooxygenase (COX) activity, this includes interfering with glucose metabolism through both arms of the pentose phosphate pathways and energy production via glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation. Shifting the cellular balance from proliferation to apoptosis is probably the most important outcome by which NSAIDs exhibit their differing actions. Understanding how these different pathways can be reconciled and their contribution to the balance between cell birth and cell death is the challenge for the future. The pentose phosphate pathways may provide a pivotal point for understanding links between factors which alter proliferative activity (e.g. COXs), provide energy metabolism (particularly aerobic and anaerobic metabolism of glucose), and change the redox state of the cell leading to apoptosis.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Assessment of gastric emptying in the mouse using the [13C]-octanoic acid breath test.

1. Gastric emptying studies in small laboratory animals are hampered by the deficiency of a technique that is non-invasive and repeatable. The aim of the present study was to adapt the non-invasive [13C]-octanoic acid breath test, which has been validated in humans, to assess both liquid and solid gastric emptying in the mouse. 2. Gastric emptying rates were investigated for a liquid meal (Intralipid; Kabi Pharmacia AB, Stockholm, Sweden; n = 7) and two solid meals (egg yolk and mouse chow; n = 7) incorporating [13C]-octanoic acid. All meals were analysed for natural enrichment of [13C]. Mathematical analysis of the 13CO2 excretion rate allowed the determination of gastric emptying parameters. 3. Gastric emptying of Intralipid was more rapid than egg yolk (P < 0.0001). Gastric emptying of mouse chow could not be assessed due to intragastric separation of [13C]-octanoic acid and natural [13C] enrichment of the pellet. 4. The [13C]-octanoic acid breath test can reproducibly assess both liquid and solid gastric emptying non-invasively in the mouse. This method can now be used to assess gastric emptying in drug studies and disease studies for which there are established mouse models.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Analysis of the breath hydrogen test for carbohydrate malabsorption: validation of a pocket-sized breath test analyser.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the validity and clinical application of a hand-held breath hydrogen (H2) analyzer (BreatH2, Europa Scientific, Crewe, UK). METHODOLOGY: Breath samples of patients referred to the Gastroenterology Unit, Women's and Children's Hospital, North Adelaide, South Australia, for confirmation of the diagnosis of carbohydrate malabsorption were analysed with the Quintron microlyzer (Quintron Instrument Co., Milwaukee, USA) and the BreatH2 analyser, using the Quintron microlyzer as the gold standard. RESULTS: Twenty-nine breath H2 tests (BHT) were performed in 29 patients aged 2 months to 61 years. The sensitivity and specificity of the BreatH2 analyser in detecting a positive BHT using the Quintron microlyser as the gold standard were 0.90 and 0.95 with positive and negative predictive values of 0.90 and 0.95, respectively. There was one false positive and one false negative reading. Bland-Altman plots showed a high degree of agreement between the values obtained with two different methods. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of carbohydrate malabsorption, using a portable breath H2 analyser (BreatH2), achieved an acceptable degree of sensitivity and specificity, enabling it to be used where no alternative is available.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Probiotics in pediatric gastrointestinal disorders.

Probiotics have been defined most recently as living microorganisms which, upon ingestion in certain numbers, exact health benefits beyond inherent general nutrition. They have been a part of human nutrition for centuries, but in recent years they have been more closely studied for their potential to improve health and treat disease. This review of probiotics is not extensive, highlighting the most recent reviews and well controlled clinical studies in both animals and humans. The safety issues are also discussed as well as potential mechanisms of action. The importance of studying each probiotic bacterium individually in each condition where a health benefit is claimed is highlighted by Lactobacillus GG, the most widely studied probiotic which has proven benefit in reducing the severity and duration of viral diarrhea but no benefit against bacterial diarrhea.

Child↗
PubMed2000

Anti-aging medicine. What makes it different from geriatrics?

The growth in popularity of so-called "anti-aging" medicine challenges physicians to examine their attitudes about aging. Does one define aging as a predisposition to pathology or as part of the life cycle? Is longevity without the chronic diseases associated with aging a realistic goal? Anti-aging modalities being prescribed by some practitioners include hormone replacement therapies, vitamin and mineral supplements, diet, and exercise. Although diet, exercise, and some vitamin and mineral supplements are well-recognized as preventive measures, unproven hormone, mega-vitamin, and herbal therapies are controversial. Both the patient and the physician bring biases and values to the discussion of anti-aging medicine, and that combination will influence the treatment decisions.

Aged↗