Comparative Formation of Lithocholic Acid From Chenodeoxycholic and Ursodeoxycholic Acids in the Colon

The comparative rate of formation of lithocholic acid from chenodeoxycholic acid and its 7β epimer, ursodeoxycholic acid, was studied in human subjects and in a rhesus monkey. [24-14C]Chenodeoxycholic acid and [24-14C]ursodeoxycholic acid were incubated in vitro, under anaerobic conditions, in fecal samples from 7 control and 7 asymptomatic gallstone subjects. The incubations were carried out for 0, 0.5, 1, 4, and 12 h. In addition, the labeled precursors were instilled into the colon of 4 asymptomatic gallstone patients and a rhesus monkey in which a bile duct fistula had been created. Radioactive metabolites were analyzed by thin-layer chromatography in the in vitro fecal incubates and in the in vivo colonic aspirates, stool, and bile. The biotrans formation of the unlabeled material was analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography in the in vitro incubates and in the in vivo fecal samples of the rhesus monkey. There was no statistical difference between chenodeoxycholic and ursodeoxycholic acids in their rate of biotrans formation to lithocholic acid, when the total group of 14 subjects was compared. However, among these 14, a subgroup of 4 subjects (2 controls and 2 with gallstones) was identified in whom the rate of degradation to lithocholic acid was significantly faster for chenodeoxycholic than for ursodeoxycholic acid. Increases in the concentrations of the precursors led to a decrease in the rate; but not a change in the comparative pattern of lithocholic acid formation. At the lower concentrations, the conversion of both bile acids to lithocholic acid was almost complete after 12 h. In the in vivo studies, the formation of lithocholic acid from chenodeoxycholic and ursodeoxycholic acids was comparable both in the 4 human subjects and in the rhesus monkey. The results of this study indicate that, in most cases, the risk of liver damage from lithocholic acid formation should be similar for both epimers. However, there appears to be a small population in which this risk could be higher during chenodeoxycholic acid than during ursodeoxycholic acid treatment due to a more rapid formation of lithocholic acid. © 1982, American Gastroenterological Association. All rights reserved

What is the best salvage therapy for patients with Helicobacter pylori infection?

The eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection is still a challenge for clinicians. Approximately 5% of patients who undergo two courses of eradication therapy remain infected. The authors of this Viewpoint article discuss the available options for salvage therapy in these patients and the role of antimicrobial susceptibility testing in this setting

Current concepts in the management of Helicobacter pylori infection-The Maastricht III Consensus Report

Background: Guidelines on the management of Helicobacter pylori, which cover indications for management and treatment strategies, were produced in 2000. Aims: To update the guidelines at the European Helicobacter Study Group (EHSG) Third Maastricht Consensus Conference, with emphasis on the potential of H pylori eradication for the prevention of gastric cancer. Results: Eradication of H pylori infection is recommended in (a) patients with gastroduodenal diseases such as peptic ulcer disease and low grade gastric, mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma; (b) patients with atrophic gastritis; (c) first degree relatives of patients with gastric cancer; (d) patients with unexplained iron deficiency anaemia; and (e) patients with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Recurrent abdominal pain in children is not an indication for a ‘‘test and treat’’ strategy if other causes are excluded. Eradication of H pylori infection (a) does not cause gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) or exacerbate GORD, and (b) may prevent peptic ulcer in patients who are naı¨ve users of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). H pylori eradication is less effective than proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment in preventing ulcer recurrence in long term NSAID users. In primary care a test and treat strategy using a noninvasive test is recommended in adult patients with persistent dyspepsia under the age of 45. The urea breath test, stool antigen tests, and serological kits with a high accuracy are non-invasive tests which should be used for the diagnosis of H pylori infection. Triple therapy using a PPI with clarithromycin and amoxicillin or metronidazole given twice daily remains the recommended first choice treatment. Bismuth-containing quadruple therapy, if available, is also a first choice treatment option. Rescue treatment should be based on antimicrobial susceptibility. Conclusion: The global burden of gastric cancer is considerable but varies geographically. Eradication of H pylori infection has the potential to reduce the risk of gastric cancer developmen

White Paper of Italian Gastroenterology: Delivery of services for digestive diseases in Italy: Weaknesses and strengths.

In 2011 the three major Italian gastroenterological scientific societies (AIGO, the Italian Society of Hospital Gastroenterologists and Endoscopists; SIED, the Italian Society of Endoscopy; SIGE, the Italian Society of Gastroenterology) prepared their official document aimed at analysing medical care for digestive diseases in Italy, on the basis of national and regional data (Health Ministry and Lombardia, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna databases) and to make proposals for planning of care. Digestive diseases were the first or second cause of hospitalizations in Italy in 1999–2009, with more than 1,500,000 admissions/year; however only 5–9% of these admissions was in specialized Gastroenterology units. Reported data show a better outcome in Gastroenterology Units than in non-specialized units: shorter average length of stay, in particular for admissions with ICD-9-CM codes proxying for emergency conditions (6.7 days versus 8.4 days); better case mix (higher average diagnosis-related groups weight in Gastroenterology Units: 1 vs 0.97 in Internal Medicine units and 0.76 in Surgery units); lower inappropriateness of admissions (16–25% versus 29–87%); lower in-hospital mortality in urgent admissions (2.2% versus 5.1%); for patients with urgent admissions due to gastrointestinnal haemorrhage, in-hospital mortality was 2.3% in Gastroenterology units versus 4.0% in others. The present document summarizes the scientific societies’ official report, which constitutes the “White paper of Italian Gastroenterology

Management of helicobacter pylori infection-the Maastricht V/Florence consensus report

Important progress has been made in the management of Helicobacter pylori infection and in this fifth edition of the Maastricht Consensus Report, key aspects related to the clinical role of H. Pylori were re-evaluated in 2015. In the Maastricht V/Florence Consensus Conference, 43 experts from 24 countries examined new data related to H. pylori in five subdivided workshops: (1) Indications/ Associations, (2) Diagnosis, (3) Treatment, (4) Prevention/Public Health, (5) H. pylori and the Gastric Microbiota. The results of the individual workshops were presented to a final consensus voting that included all participants. Recommendations are provided on the basis of the best available evidence and relevance to the management of H. pylori infection in the various clinical scenarios

Factors affecting Helicobacter pylori eradication using a seven-day triple therapy with a proton pump inhibitor, tinidazole and clarithromycin, in brazilian patients with peptic ulcer Fatores que afetam a erradicação do Helicobacter pylori usando um tratamento triplo de sete dias com um inibidor de bomba de prótons associado ao tinidazol e a claritromicina, em pacientes brasileiros com úlcera péptica

Triple therapy is accepted as the treatment of choice for H. pylori eradication. In industrialized countries, a proton pump inhibitor plus clarithromycin and amoxicillin or nitroimidazole have shown the best results. Our aims were: 1. To study the eradication rate of the association of a proton pump inhibitor plus tinidazole and clarithromycin on H. pylori infection in our population. 2. To determine if previous treatments, gender, age, tobacco, alcohol use, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) change the response to therapy. METHODS: Two hundred patients with peptic ulcer (upper endoscopy) and H. pylori infection (histology and rapid urease test - RUT) were included. A proton pump inhibitor (lansoprazole 30 mg or omeprazole 20 mg), tinidazole 500 mg, and clarithromycin 250 mg were dispensed twice a day for a seven-day period. Eradication was assessed after 10 to 12 weeks of treatment through histology and RUT. RESULTS: The eradication rate of H. pylori per protocol was 65% (128/196 patients). This rate was 53% for previously treated patients, rising to 76% for not previously treated patients, with a statistical difference p<0.01. No significant difference was observed regarding sex, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and NSAID use, but for elderly patients the difference was p = 0.05. Adherence to treatment was good, and side effects were mild. CONCLUSIONS: A proton pump inhibitor, tinidazole, and clarithromycin bid for seven days resulted in H. pylori eradication in 65% of the patients. Previous treatments were the main cause of treatment failure.<br>O esquema tríplice tem sido demonstrado como sendo o melhor tratamento para a erradicação do Helicobacter pylori. Nos países industrializados o uso de um inibidor de bomba de prótons associado a claritromicina e a amoxicilina ou a um nitroimidazólico, tem proporcionado os melhores resultados. Objetivamos estudar na nossa população a taxa de erradicação do H. pylori para a associação de um inibidor de bomba de prótons com o tinidazol e a claritromicina e determinar se a resposta ao tratamento é influenciada pelo tratamento prévio, sexo, tabagismo, alcoolismo, idade e uso de anti-inflamatórios não esteroidais (AINEs). PACIENTES E PROCEDIMENTOS: Duzentos pacientes com diagnóstico endoscópico de úlcera péptica e com infecção pelo H. pylori, confirmada pelo exame histológico e pelo teste rápido da urease (TRU), foram incluídos no estudo. Um inibidor de bomba de prótons (lansoprazol 30mg ou omeprazol 20 mg), tinidazol 500mg e claritromicina 250mg foram ministrados duas vezes ao dia, por um período de 7 dias. A erradicação era determinada depois de 10 a 12 semanas após o fim do tratamento, por histologia e TRU. RESULTADOS: O percentual de erradicação do H. pylori (por protocolo) foi de 65% (128/196 pacientes). Para pacientes previamente tratados o valor foi de 53%, aumentando para 76% nos pacientes não previamente tratados com diferença estatística (p<0,01). Não houve diferença significativa para sexo, tabagismo, alcoolismo e uso de AINEs, mas para pacientes de mais idade houve diferença com p = 0,05. A aderência ao tratamento foi boa e os efeitos adversos, leves. CONCLUSÃO: O esquema inibidor de bomba de prótons, tinidazol e claritromicina, dados duas vezes ao dia por 7 dias proporcionou erradicação do H. pylori em 65% dos pacientes. O tratamento prévio foi o principal fator para seu insucesso

Current concepts in the management of helicobacter pylori infection: The maastricht III consensus report

Background: Guidelines on the management of Helicobacter pylori, which cover indications for management and treatment strategies, were produced in 2000. Aims: To update the guidelines at the European Helicobacter Study Group (EHSG) Third Maastricht Consensus Conference, with emphasis on the potential of H pylori eradication for the prevention of gastric cancer. Results: Eradication of H pylori infection is recommended in (a) patients with gastroduodenal diseases such as peptic ulcer disease and low grade gastric, mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma; (b) patients with atrophic gastritis; (c) first degree relatives of patients with gastric cancer; (d) patients with unexplained iron deficiency anaemia; and (e) patients with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura. Recurrent abdominal pain in children is not an indication for a âtest and treatâ strategy if other causes are excluded. Eradication of H pylori infection (a) does not cause gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) or exacerbate GORD, and (b) may prevent peptic ulcer in patients who are naïve users of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). H pylori eradication is less effective than proton pump inhibitor (PPI) treatment in preventing ulcer recurrence in long term NSAID users. In primary care a test and treat strategy using a noninvasive test is recommended in adult patients with persistent dyspepsia under the age of 45. The urea breath test, stool antigen tests, and serological kits with a high accuracy are non-invasive tests which should be used for the diagnosis of H pylori infection. Triple therapy using a PPI with clarithromycin and amoxicillin or metronidazole given twice daily remains the recommended first choice treatment. Bismuth-containing quadruple therapy, if available, is also a first choice treatment option. Rescue treatment should be based on antimicrobial susceptibility. Conclusion: The global burden of gastric cancer is considerable but varies geographically. Eradication of H pylori infection has the potential to reduce the risk of gastric cancer development