Tissue transglutaminase is involved in the inflammatory processes of active chronic gastritis

Since tissue transglutaminase-2 (TG2) can represent a marker of inflammation for some gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, we aimed to evaluate TG2 and inflammatory markers? mucosal content in gastric antrum biopsies to shed light on the histological and biochemical background of chronic gastritis inflammation. Fifty-one of 78 patients who underwent upper GI endoscopy (UGIE) for dyspeptic symptoms, had a gastric biopsy. The symptom profile was assessed by a GI symptom rating scale (GSRS) score. Thirty-five patients (69%) showed chronic gastritis. TG2, interleukin-6 (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-?, lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 were evaluated in serum and the culture medium of gastric biopsies. TG2, IL-8, IL-10, TLR-4 and TNF-? were significantly higher in active chronic gastritis than in the inactive one and were linked to macrophage concentration. IL-6 was significantly lower in the active form of chronic gastritis than in the inactive one and negatively correlated with TG2. Lastly, IL-10 significantly correlated with the macrophage score. TG2 can exert an active role in chronic gastritis pathogenesis by cooperating with different markers of inflammation. It seems that TG2 can represent a possible therapeutic target for modulating inflammation and disease progression

Inulin-enriched pasta improves intestinal permeability and modifies the circulating levels of zonulin and glucagon-like peptide 2 in healthy young volunteers

Apart from the intestinal environment, inulin induces physiological effects, which includes a reduction in glucose and lipid concentrations and modulation of gastrointestinal motility through the release of different peptides. We hypothesized that inulin-enriched pasta may also improve small intestine permeability in relation to zonulin and glucagon-like peptide 2 (GLP-2) levels in healthy young subjects. Twenty healthy, young male volunteers completed a randomized, double-blind crossover study consisting of a 2-week run-in period and two 5-week study periods (11% inulin-enriched or control pasta), with an 8-week washout period in between. The intestinal barrier function was assessed by lactulose-mannitol excretion in urine. Zonulin values and GLP-2 release were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In the inulin group, the urinary lactulose recovery was significantly lower than the other 2 groups. There were no significant differences in urinary mannitol levels between groups. Accordingly, the lactulose-mannitol excretion ratio was significantly decreased in the inulin-enriched pasta group compared with the other 2 groups. The inulin-enriched pasta group had significantly lower zonulin serum values and significantly higher GLP-2 basal values when compared with the baseline and control pasta groups. The dietary use of inulin-enriched pasta preserves intestinal mucosal barrier functioning and modulates circulating levels of zonulin and GLP-2, suggesting that prebiotics could be used in the prevention of gastrointestinal diseases and metabolic disorders

Managing Symptom Profile of IBS-D Patients With Tritordeum-Based Foods: Results From a Pilot Study

In the past few years, increasing attention has been given to the pathologic role of specific foods in IBS, like wheat and other cereals. Recent literature describes IBS patients who may experience gastrointestinal (GI) and extra-GI symptoms precipitated by the ingestion of cereals. Tritordeum is a cereal of Spanish origin derived from the hybridization of durum wheat and wild barley. It is different from classic wheat for its gluten protein composition, with fewer carbohydrates and fructans and a higher content of proteins, dietary fibers, and antioxidants. This pilot study aimed to investigate the effects of a 12-week diet with Tritordeum-based foods in substitution of other cereals on the profile of GI symptoms (evaluated by appropriate questionnaire) and the health of the GI barrier (assessed by sugar absorption test and different markers of integrity and functions) in 16 diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D) patients. The diet with Tritordeum-based foods (bread, bakery products, and pasta) significantly reduced IBS-D patients' symptoms. This amelioration appears to occur through an overall improvement of the GI barrier, as demonstrated by the reduced intestinal permeability and the decreased levels of markers of intestinal mucosal integrity, mucosal inflammation, and fermentative dysbiosis

Liquid biopsy beyond cancer: a miRNA detection in serum with electrochemical chip for non-invasive coeliac disease diagnosis

Coeliac disease is a very common autoimmune disease estimated to affect 1 in 100 people worldwide. It occurs in genetically predisposed people where the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine, and it is accurately diagnosticated through duodenal biopsy, an invasive diagnostic method. The liquid biopsy, generally used for monitoring cancer, is an appealing alternative even for autoimmune pathology such as coeliac disease, allowing for detecting disease progression or resistance to treatment. For this reason, an electrochemical peptide nucleic acid (PNA) device combined with a smartphone-assisted potentiostat for non-invasive coeliac disease diagnosis is proposed, by measuring the selected overexpressed miRNA-486-5p in serum, enlarging the application of liquid biopsy in nontumor pathologies. For highly sensitive detection, the polyester-based printed sensor is nanomodified with gold nanoparticles and a synthetic customized PNA probe. The designed sensor can detect the target analyte in the range of 10–100 nM with a limit of detection of 0.7 nM by measuring the variation of the response of the electrochemical mediator hexaammineruthenium in the presence of PNA–miRNA duplex on the nanostructured working electrode surface. The analyses testing serum samples are found in agreement with ones obtained by realxtime quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), demonstrating the reliability of this innovative electrochemical chip developed

Probiotics in functional gastrointestinal disorders in children: Therapy and prevention

Probiotics, as defined by the FAO and the WHO in a joint consensus document, are live microorganisms that confer a health benefit on the host when administered in adequate amounts. Probiotics have been studied in the treatment and prevention of many gastrointestinal and nongastrointestinal diseases and their role in promoting health is now supported by many double-blind placebo-controlled human trials. Probiotics show convincing evidence in different fields as follows: Prevention of respiratory tract infections Prevention and therapy of allergy Treatment and prevention of gastrointestinal infections and antibiotic-associated diarrhea Treatment of Inflammatory bowel disease Prevention and treatment of Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs)

GUT MOTILITY ALTERATIONS IN NEONATES AND YOUNG INFANTS: RELATION TO COLIC?

Colic usually affects babies in the first few weeks of their lives and persists for about 4 months. Crying can be intense and furious and it may last for several hours per day for several weeks. Although crying can occur at any time, it is usually worse in the late afternoon and evening, and occasionally affects the baby’s sleep. Infantile colic is not considered a disease, fulfilling instead criteria for a functional disorder. Research shows that babies with colic continue to eat and gain weight appropriately, despite the crying (1). The main risk for these babies relates to the stress and anxiety that the condition creates at home, especially when it affects the first child. The cause of colic is not known. Painful flatus may contribute to colic, but there is little evidence to prove that it is linked to digestive problems (2). Another theory is that while the digestive system is maturing, some babies are more sensitive to substances such as lactose ingested through breast-feeding and formula milk; however, evidence to support this hypothesis also is limited. Other possible cause relate to the baby’s behavior and temperament. Among the gastrointestinal (GI) factors, we focus on non-nutritive pathophysiology such as the relation of colic to gastroesophageal (GER) reflux, GI motility disorders, the role of gut hormones, and intestinal microflora