DKT exerts beneficial effects in a CD mouse model through endogenous release and production of ADM. Endogenous ADM may be a therapeutic target for CD.

In the ischemic colon, endogenous βCGRP, but not ADM, was decreased. Thus, it was concluded that TU-100 ameliorated microvascular dysfunction by the up-regulation of endogenous ADM in the CD rat model. TU-100 may be a possible therapeutic agent for gastrointestinal ischemia-related diseases including CD.

No abstract

The ultrasonic absorption coefficients of aqueous solutions of dextran and some saccharides have been measured in a frequency range from 0.8 to 130 MHz and over a temperature range from 10 to 35 "C. In all solutions of dextran two relaxation processes are observed within the frequency range examined, which have relaxation frequencies at about 1 and 12-15 MHz. They are likely independent of molecular weight and temperature. However, the aqueous solutions of saccharides do not exhibit any relaxation. The relaxation processes observed in aqueous solutions of dextran are considered to be volume relaxations due to the segmental motion of the polymer chain. The most likely origin of the volume relaxations is the exchange process of the hydrated water molecules in the hydration sphere of the polymer.

The pathophysiology of adhesion formation needs to be clarified to reduce the adhesion-related morbidity. The epithelial characteristics of the peritoneum suggest a protective role against adhesion formation, yet how the peritoneum is involved in adhesion formation is not well characterized. We microscopically observed an experimental model of adhesion formation to investigate the effects of an injured tissue on the opposite intact peritoneum. Adhesions were induced between injured and intact hepatic lobes, and the intact peritoneum opposite to the injured tissue was examined for 8 days. The opposite intact peritoneum was denuded of mesothelial cells for 6 hours, and the remnant mesothelial cells changed morphologically for 24 hours. The detachment of mesothelial cells allowed fibrin to attach to the basement membrane of the opposite peritoneum, connecting the two lobes. Moreover, macrophages and myofibroblasts accumulated between the two lobes, and angiogenesis occurred from the opposite intact lobe to the injured lobe. These observations indicate that an injured tissue deprives the opposite intact peritoneum of its epithelial structure and causes fibrous adhesions to the opposite intact tissue. This study implies a possible role of mesothelial cells for barrier function against adhesion formation, that is, keeping mesothelial cells intact might lead to its prophylaxis.