Over the past decades, many drugs have been identified, that can potentially induce steatohepatitis in the predisposed individual. Classically this has been incriminated to amiodarone, perhexiline, and 4,4'-diethylaminoethoxyhexestrol (DH), all of which have been found to independently induce the histologic picture of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Pathogenetic mechanisms of hepatotoxicity although still evolving, demonstrate that mitochondrial dysfunction, deranged ATP production and fatty acid catabolism likely play an important role. Drugs like steroid hormones can exacerbate the pathogenetic mechanisms that lead to NASH, and other drugs like tamoxifen, cisplatin and irenotecan have been shown to precipitate latent fatty liver as well. Further research aiming to elucidate the pathogenesis of drug-induced steatosis and steatohepatitis is needed in order to better design therapeutic targets.
Background:
Probiotics can be viewed as biological agents that modify the intestinal microbiota
and certain cytokine profiles, which can lead to an improvement in certain gastrointestinal
diseases, including diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, and liver disease.
Discussion:
Consumption of probiotics in their various forms, including yogurt, functional foods, and
dietary supplements, is frequently encountered worldwide. Often, however, the correct prescription of
these agents is dampened due to a lack of knowledge of the scientific evidence and the different presentations
and microbial compositions of the currently available probiotic options. Here, we provide an
up-to-date review of the evidence of probiotics in the prevention and treatment of various gastrointestinal
diseases.
Objective:
Consumption of probiotics in their various forms, including yogurt, functional foods, and
dietary supplements, is frequently encountered worldwide. Often, however, the correct prescription of
these agents is dampened due to a lack of knowledge of the scientific evidence and the different presentations
and microbial compositions of the currently available probiotic options.
Methods/Results:
Here, we provide an up-to-date review of the evidence of probiotics in the prevention
and treatment of various gastrointestinal diseases.
Conclusion:
While not efficacious in every disease process studied, probiotics have demonstrated
some benefit in several specific gastrointestinal and liver diseases.
Most medical professionals consider colonoscopy to be a safe procedure with a low rate of severe complications such as bowel perforation, gastrointestinal tract bleeding, or mortality. Bowel wall hematoma is a rare complication associated with colonoscopy that can result in significant morbidity and even mortality. We present a case of postpolypectomy hematoma diagnosed with CT imaging and successfully managed in a conservative fashion.
Capsule endoscopy (CE) is a sensitive modality for examining the small bowel and is commonly employed to identify a variety of small bowel pathologies. We report a case of capsule retention leading to diagnosis of a chronic condition. A 60-year-old female presented with abdominal pain, nausea, and weight loss for 3 years. Physical exam revealed a mildly tender abdomen with hypoactive bowel sounds. Laboratory was normal. Abdominal radiographs showed a partial small bowel obstruction with retained capsule. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a retained capsule in the mid-portion of the jejunum, dilated small bowel, and terminal ileal mass. She underwent exploratory laparotomy showing an ileal mass with hepatic metastasis. A right hemicolectomy, reanastomosis, and removal of the retained capsule were performed. Pathology showed well-differentiated carcinoid tumor. She was discharged home for further treatment with oncology. Carcinoid tumors of the small bowel usually present with abdominal pain or small bowel obstruction. Our patient had intermittent small bowel obstruction due to a carcinoid tumor and retained capsule causing her symptoms. CE is a valuable tool but requires extensive consideration and possible patency capsule prior to use in patients presenting with symptoms consistent with Crohn’s disease or small bowel tumor.
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.