Subjective lactose intolerance in apparently healthy adults in southern Iran: Is it related to irritable bowel syndrome?

Background : The main symptoms of lactose intolerance are bloating, abdominal cramps, increased flatus and loose watery stools. These symptoms are similar to those of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which is a prevalent entity in the community. Objective : As there was no data available on the prevalence of LI and the correlated factors, this study aimed to determine these correlations and their relation to IBS symptoms in an apparently healthy population in Shiraz, southern Iran. Materials and Methods : A survey among 1,978 individuals older than 35 years was conducted in Shiraz, southern Iran, using a questionnaire that consisted of items regarding demographic data, life style, subjective gastrointestinal symptoms of LI and IBS symptoms according to ROME II criteria. Results : A total of 562 subjects reported LI (28.41%). The prevalence was significantly higher in females, in subjects taking NSAIDs or acetaminophen and in cases reporting IBS symptoms. Subjects with LI avoided certain foods and drinks; and in order to relieve their symptoms, they used OTC drugs, herbal medicine or visited a physician. On the other hand, no relation was found between LI and age, smoking or the number of meals per day. Conclusions : Although we found that individuals with IBS had significantly more subjective LI than those without IBS, in the absence of documented lactose malabsorption, it is hard to tell whether the reported symptoms indeed are those of LI or simply those of IBS. So, a period of dairy product avoidance and/ or requesting a test for lactose malabsorption may be beneficial in this area

Apelin-13 infusion salvages the peri-infarct region to preserve cardiac function after severe myocardial injury

BACKGROUND: Apelin-13 (A13) regulates cardiac homeostasis. However, the effects and mechanism of A13 infusion after an acute myocardial injury (AMI) have not been elucidated. This study assesses the restorative effects and mechanism of A13 on the peri-infarct region in murine AMI model. METHODS: 51 FVB/N mice (12 weeks, 30 g) underwent AMI. A week following injury, continuous micro-pump infusion of A13 (0.5 μg/g/day) and saline was initiated for 4-week duration. Dual contrast MRI was conducted on weeks 1, 2, 3, and 5, consisting of delayed-enhanced and manganese-enhanced MRI. Four mice in each group were followed for an extended period of 4 weeks without further infusion and underwent MRI scans on weeks 7 and 9. RESULTS: A13 infusion demonstrated preserved LVEF compared to saline from weeks 1 to 4 (21.9 ± 3.2% to 23.1 ± 1.7%* vs. 23.5 ± 1.7% to 16.9 ± 2.8%, *p = 0.02), which persisted up to 9 weeks post-MI (+1.4%* vs. −9.4%, *p = 0.03). Mechanistically, dual contrast MRI demonstrated significant decrease in the peri-infarct and scar % volume in A13 group from weeks 1 to 4 (15.1 to 7.4% and 34.3 to 25.1%, p = 0.02, respectively). This was corroborated by significant increase in 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EdU(+)) cells by A13 vs. saline groups in the peri-infarct region (16.5 ± 3.1% vs. 8.1 ± 1.6%; p = 0.04), suggesting active cell mitosis. Finally, significantly enhanced mobilization of CD34(+) cells in the peripheral blood and up-regulation of APJ, fibrotic, and apoptotic genes in the peri-infarct region were found. CONCLUSIONS: A13 preserves cardiac performance by salvaging the peri-infarct region and may contribute to permanent restoration of the severely injured myocardium