SBE is not only easy to perform, due to the single balloon, but it can also safely examine the deep small intestine. Therefore, SBE may be a useful diagnostic and therapeutic tool in addition to DBE for investigating suspected small bowel disease.
BackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Rikkunshito on ghrelin secretion and on cisplatin-induced anorexia in humans.MethodsThe study was performed as a crossover design, and ten unresectable or relapsed gastric cancer patients were randomly divided into two groups. Group A (n = 5) was started on Rikkunshito (2.5 g three times daily, orally) from the first course of chemotherapy and followed by a second course without Rikkunshito. A treatment with reversed order was performed for Group B (n = 5). All patients received combined chemotherapy with S-1 plus cisplatin. The primary endpoint was the amount of oral intake, and the categories of scales of anorexia, nausea, and vomiting; secondary endpoints included the plasma concentration of acylated ghrelin.ResultsIn the Rikkunshito-on period, no decrease of the plasma concentration of acylated ghrelin induced by cisplatin was observed. The average oral intake in the Rikkunshito-on period was significantly larger than that in the Rikkunshito-off period, and the grade of anorexia was significantly lower in the Rikkunshito-on period than in the Rikkunshito-off period.ConclusionRikkunshito appeared to prevent anorexia induced by cisplatin, resulting in effective prophylactic administration of chemotherapy with cisplatin, and patients could continue their treatments on schedule.
Karyopherin-α2 (KPNA2) functions as an adaptor that transports several proteins to the nucleus. We investigated the clinical and functional significance of KPNA2 in gastric cancer (GC). Immunohistochemistry was performed to examine KPNA2 expression in primary GC and metastatic lymph nodes. Next, KPNA2 was suppressed by small interfering RNA (siRNA) to examine KPNA2 function in proliferation and cisplatin-induced apoptosis of GC cell lines. Nuclear expression of KPNA2 in marginal regions of primary GC was stronger than in central regions of GC and normal tissues. The high expression of marginal KPNA2 was significantly associated with β-catenin accumulation in the nucleus and poor prognosis in two independent GC cohorts (discovery cohort, n = 90, P = 0.018; validation cohort, n = 89, P = 0.0125). We detected correlations between nuclear KPNA2 expression in marginal region and progression of macroscopic type (P = 0.036), tumor depth (P = 0.013), lymph node metastasis (P = 0.0064), venous invasion (P = 0.034) and clinical stage (P = 0.0006). Nuclear KPNA2 expression in marginal regions of metastatic lymph nodes was significantly higher than in the central region. It was associated with poor survival of GC patients with lymph node metastasis (n = 96; center, P = 0.4384; marginal, P < 0.0001). KPNA2 suppression enhanced cisplatin-induced apoptosis and reduced proliferation in the KPNA2 siRNA group compared with the control siRNA group. The expression of the DNA repair gene NBS1 (NBN) in the nucleus was suppressed in KPNA2-suppressed cells. KPNA2 might be a useful prognostic marker and an effective therapeutic target for GC.
Extrahepatic cholestasis often evokes liver injury with hepatocyte apoptosis, aberrant cytokine production, and-most importantly-postoperative septic complications. To clarify the involvement of aberrant cytokine production and hepatocyte apoptosis in impaired resistance to bacterial infection in obstructive cholestasis, C57BL/6 mice or Fas-mutated lpr mice were inoculated intraperitoneally with 10 7 colony-forming units of Escherichia coli 5 days after bile duct ligation (BDL) or sham celiotomy. Cytokine levels in sera, liver, and immune cells were assessed via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. BDL mice showed delayed clearance of E. coli in peritoneal cavity, liver, and spleen. Significantly higher levels of serum interleukin (IL) 10 with lower levels of IL-12p40 were observed in BDL mice following E. coli infection. Interferon ␥ production from liver lymphocytes in BDL mice was not increased after E. coli infection either at the transcriptional or protein level. Kupffer cells from BDL mice produced low levels of IL-12p40 and high levels of IL-10 in vitro in response to lipopolysaccharide derived from E. coli. In vivo administration of anti-IL-10 monoclonal antibody ameliorated the course of E. coli infection in BDL mice. Furthermore, BDL-lpr mice did not exhibit impairment in E. coli killing in association with little hepatic injury and a small amount of IL-10 production. In conclusion, increased IL-10 and reciprocally suppressed IL-12 production by Kupffer cells are responsible for deteriorated resistance to bacterial infection in BDL mice. Fasmediated hepatocyte apoptosis in cholestasis may be involved in the predominant IL-10 production by Kupffer cells. (HEPATOLOGY 2004;40:414 -423.)
Intragastric administration of rikkunshito stimulates gastrointestinal contractions in the interdigestive state through cholinergic neurons and 5-HT type 3 receptors. Moreover, rikkunshito increases plasma acylated ghrelin levels. Rikkunshito may alleviate gastrointestinal disorders through its prokinetic effects.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.