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IntroductionIn recent years the failure of standard therapy for Helicobacter pylori infections has been observed, which results primarily from the increasing resistance of H. pylori strains to antibiotics. The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance of H. pylori strains isolated from adult symptomatic patients with primary infection in the Lower Silesia Region in Poland.Material and methodsOne hundred and seventy-eight adults aged 19–89 years with dyspeptic symptoms suggesting gastroduodenal pathology were enrolled in the study. The study was performed in the years 2008–2011. Fifty H. pylori strains were isolated from gastric biopsy samples of examined patients. Antimicrobial susceptibility to 6 drugs (amoxicillin (AM), clarithromycin (CH), metronidazole (MZ), tetracycline (TC), levofloxacin (LEV), and rifabutin (RB)) was tested by the gradient-diffusion method (E-test method).ResultsThe incidence of H. pylori infection among examined patients was 35%. From 50 isolated H. pylori strains, 24% showed resistance to CH, 42% to MZ and 8% to LEV alone. Multidrug resistance was detected in 26% of strains, whereas 20% of isolates were resistant to MZ and CH. Examined strains were fully susceptible to AM, TC and RB.ConclusionsResistance to clarithromycin strains isolated from adults of the Lower Silesia Region in Poland is high and is almost always associated with resistance to metronidazole (CH + MZ). It is necessary to continuously monitor H. pylori resistance to drugs used in therapy, especially to clarithromycin. Verification of the existing recommendations of eradication therapy is also needed.

Cyclophosphamide (CPX) is an anticancer drug with immunosuppressive properties. Its adverse effects are partly connected to the induction of oxidative stress. Some studies indicate that water-soluble derivative of morin-morin-5'-sulfonic acid sodium salt (NaMSA) exhibits strong antioxidant activity. The aim of present study was to evaluate the effect of NaMSA on CPX-induced changes in oxido-redox state in rat. Experiment was carried out on Wistar rats divided in three experimental groups (N = 12) receiving: 0.9% saline, CPX (15 mg/kg) or CPX (15 mg/kg) + NaMSA (100 mg/kg), respectively, and were given intragastrically for 10 days. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) concentrations and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were determined in liver and kidneys. Catalase (CAT) activity was assessed only in liver. Treatment with CPX resulted in significant decrease in MDA level in both tissues, which was completely reversed by NaMSA treatment only in liver. In comparison to the control group significant decrease in SOD activity were observed in both tissues of CPX receiving group. In kidneys this parameter was fully restored by NaMSA administration. CPX evoked significant decrease in GSH concentration in kidneys, which was completely reversed by NaMSA treatment. No significant changes were seen in GSH levels and CAT activity between all groups in liver. Results of our study suggest that CPX may exert significant impact on oxido-redox state in both organs. NaMSA fully reversed the CPX-induced changes, especially MDA level in liver, SOD activity and GSH concentration in kidneys and it may be done by enhancement of activity/concentration of endogenous antioxidants.

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Background: Intestinal pneumatosis is a rare entity of unclear etiopathogenesis characterized by the presence of gaseous cystic or linear collections within the intestinal wall. Intestinal pneumatosis may be primary and idiopathic in origin or, more frequently, it accompanies various clinical conditions. Rarely, the development of intestinal pneumatosis is attributed to the pharmacotherapy with different drugs.Case report: This is a case report of cystic pneumatosis limited to the large intestine with predominant clinical presentation of chronic watery diarrhea in a 64-year-old man suffering from diabetes mellitus treated with metformin and acarbose. The patient had been referred to the outpatient gastroenterology clinic for further investigation of numerous polyp-like lesions found on colonoscopy. There was no history of cigarette smoking, drug abuse or extraintestinal complaints. The patient was in a good general condition and his laboratory tests were normal. No relevant abnormalities were found on chest X-ray, esophagogastroduodenoscopy or abdominal ultrasound, but computed tomography showed intramural gas-filled bubbles in the cecum and splenic flexure without signs of perforation or any other significant pathology in the abdominal cavity. The final diagnosis of pneumatosis cystoides coli (PCC), possibly related to treatment with acarbose, was established. On a follow-up visit after discontinuation of acarbose the patient reported no complaints and remained asymptomatic for the next 12 months.Discussion: To conclude, drug-related PCC should be considered in a differential diagnosis of gastrointestinal symptoms and/or polyp-like lesions disclosed on colonoscopy in diabetic patients treated with acarbose.

Background. Cyclophosphamide (CPX) has many adverse effects, partly due to oxidative stress induction in various tissues. Morin is one of the natural flavonoids with strong antioxidant properties. Objectives. The aim of the current research was to estimate the influence of morin on changes in antioxidant parameters in rat livers after cyclophosphamide administration. Material and Methods. The study was performed on Wistar rats. The rats in Group C received 0.9% saline; those in Group CX received cyclophosphamide (CPX); and those in Group M-CX received CPX with morin. Cyclophosphamide and morin were given by gastric gavage for 10 consecutive days at doses of 15 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg, respectively. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) concentrations, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and catalase (CAT) activity were determined in liver tissue homogenates. Results. CPX caused a significant decrease in SOD activity and GSH levels, but only the latter was fully restored by morin. There were no significant differences in CAT activity in the various groups. CPX also insignificantly decreased MDA levels, which was aggravated by co-administration of morin. Conclusions. The results obtained indicate that morin may exert some protective action on CPX-induced changes in the antioxidant state in rat livers (Adv Clin Exp Med 2014, 23, 4, 505-509).

Obtained results of ADMA/DDAH pathway parameters require further research.