Increased Th17-Related Cytokine Serum Levels in Patients With Multiple Polyps of Unexplained Origin

OBJECTIVES: Most patients with multiple colonic polyps do not have a known genetic or hereditary origin. Our aim was to analyze the presence of inflammatory cytokines and levels of glucose, insulin, and C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with multiple colonic polyps. METHODS: Eighty-three patients with 10 or more adenomatous or serrated polyps and 53 control people with normal colonoscopy were included. Smoking habits were registered, and glucose, CRP, and basal insulin in the serum/blood were measured. Quantification of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-11, IL-17A, and IL-23 cytokine levels in the serum was performed by a high-sensitivity enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Smoking and diabetes were more prevalent in those with colonic polyps than in the control people (67% vs 16%, P = 0.001; 11% vs 2%, P = 0.048). In addition, the cytokine serum levels were higher, i.e., IL-2 (P = 0.001), IL-4 (P = 0.001), IL-6 (P = 0.001), IL-17A (P = 0.001), IL-23 (P = 0.014), and CRP (P = 0.003). Adjusting for sex, smoking, and diabetes in a multivariate analysis, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-17A, and IL-23 remained independently elevated in cases with multiple polyps. DISCUSSION: These results indicate that immune responses mediated by Th17 cells may be involved in the pathogenesis of multiple colonic polyps

Lactose malabsorption and intolerance: a systematic review on the diagnostic value of gastrointestinal symptoms and self-reported milk intolerance

Background: When lactose malabsorption gives rise to symptoms, the result is called 'lactose intolerance'. Although lactose intolerance is often bothersome for patients, once recognized it may be managed by simple dietary adjustments. However, diagnosing lactose intolerance is not straightforward, especially in primary care. Aim: To summarize available evidence on the diagnostic performance of gastrointestinal symptoms and self-reported milk (lactose) intolerance in primary care, and the relationship between lactose malabsorption and intolerance. Data sources: PubMed, EMBASE and reference screening. Study selection: Studies were selected if the design was a primary diagnostic study; the patients were adults consulting because of non-acute abdominal symptoms; the diagnostic test included gastrointestinal symptoms and/or self-reported milk intolerance. A total of 26 primary diagnostic studies were included in the review. Data extraction: Quality assessment and data extraction were performed by two reviewers independently. They adhered to the most recent guidelines for conducting a diagnostic review as described in the Cochrane Diagnostic Reviewers' Handbook. Results: The diagnostic performance of diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence and self-reported milk intolerance was highly variable. A non-Caucasian ethnic origin was associated with the presence of lactose malabsorption. Both lactose malabsorbers and lactose absorbers reported symptoms during the lactose hydrogen breath test. Conclusion: Our review shows that high-quality studies on the diagnosis of lactose malabsorption and intolerance in primary care are urgently needed. An important prerequisite would be to clearly define the concept of lactose intolerance, as well as how it should be assessed. (aut.ref.