BACKGROUND Ulcerative colitis(UC)is a chronic and debilitating inflammatory bowel disease.Cumulative evidence indicates that excess hydrogen peroxide,a potent neutrophilic chemotactic agent,produced by colonic epithel...BACKGROUND Ulcerative colitis(UC)is a chronic and debilitating inflammatory bowel disease.Cumulative evidence indicates that excess hydrogen peroxide,a potent neutrophilic chemotactic agent,produced by colonic epithelial cells has a causal role leading to infiltration of neutrophils into the colonic mucosa and subsequent development of UC.This evidence-based mechanism identifies hydrogen peroxide as a therapeutic target for reducing agents in the treatment of UC.CASE SUMMARY Presented is a 41-year-old female with a 26-year history of refractory UC.Having developed steroid dependence and never achieving complete remission on treatment by conventional and advanced therapies,she began treatment with oral R-dihydrolipoic acid(RDLA),a lipid-soluble reducing agent with intracellular site of action.Within a week,rectal bleeding ceased.She was asymptomatic for three years until a highly stressful experience,when she noticed blood in her stool.RDLA was discontinued,and she began treatment with oral sodium thiosulfate pentahydrate(STS),a reducing agent with extracellular site of action.After a week,rectal bleeding ceased,and she resumed oral RDLA and discontinued STS.To date,she remains asymptomatic with normal stool calprotectin while on RDLA.CONCLUSION STS and RDLA are reducing agents that serve as highly effective and safe therapy for the induction and maintenance of remission in UC,even in patients refractory or poorly controlled by conventional and advanced therapies.Should preliminary findings be validated by subsequent clinical trials,the use of reducing agents could potentially prevent thousands of colectomies and represent a paradigm shift in the treatment of UC.展开更多
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease characterized byclinical symptoms of diarrhea and mucopurulent bloody stools, and its incidenceis increasing globally. The etiology and pathogenesis of U...Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease characterized byclinical symptoms of diarrhea and mucopurulent bloody stools, and its incidenceis increasing globally. The etiology and pathogenesis of UC remain elusive. Currenttherapeutic approaches, including anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressiveand immunomodulating agents, are often limited in efficacy and frequently associatedwith adverse drug reactions. Therefore, there is an urgent need to developsafer and more effective treatment strategies to address the limitations of existingtherapies. Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (HQ), a traditional Chinese medicinal herb,has been employed in the treatment of UC for over 2000 years. Recent studieshave demonstrated that HQ contains multiple active components capable oftreating UC through anti-inflammation, immune modulation, intestinal barrierprotection, antioxidant activity, and regulation of the gut microbiota. This paperreviews recent studies on the mechanism of action and clinical trials of HQ intreating UC based on relevant literature, with the aim of providing valuable insightsinto future treatment approaches.展开更多
Glehniae Radix has a wide range of pharmaceutical applications,and research on its main components has mainly focused on coumarins,alkaloids,lignans,and flavonoids,while neglecting the research on polysaccharides.Lite...Glehniae Radix has a wide range of pharmaceutical applications,and research on its main components has mainly focused on coumarins,alkaloids,lignans,and flavonoids,while neglecting the research on polysaccharides.Literature reports and our previous studies have shown that polysaccharides have certain therapeutic significance in immune regulation,antioxidant,anti-inflammatory and other aspects.Herein,the rat model of ulcerative colitis(UC)was established to evaluate the anti-inflammatory efficacy of the prepared Glehniae Radix polysaccharide(GLP)from the perspectives of inflammatory factors,intestinal tissue morphology,and microflora changes.The polysaccharides are mainly composed of galacturonic acid,rhamnose,glucose,galactose,and arabinose in molar ratios of 1.4:9.2:33.3:2.5:2.9,and GLP could downregulate the expression pro-inflammatory factors(interleukin 6,tumor necrosis factorα,and interferonγ)and significantly upregulate the expression of antiinflammatory factor(interleukin 10).In addition,Glehniae Radix aqueous extract(GLA),GLP with low dosage and GLP with high dosage(GLPH)could increase the number of goblet cells,enhance the integrity of crypt structure,and reverse the status of inflammatory infiltrating cells.Moreover,GLA and GLPH could upregulate Lactobacillus and Lachnoclostridium in UC rats,and appropriately downregulate Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group,thereby optimizing the proportion of bacterial flora and improving the intestinal microbial environment.Our findings not only be valuable as theoretical materials for the further clinical applications of GLP,but the identified biomarkers and metabolic pathways also provide new clues for the diagnosis of UC.展开更多
BACKGROUND Ulcerative colitis(UC)is a chronic and treatment-resistant disorder requiring potent therapeutics that are effective and safe.Cedrol(CE)is a bioactive natural product present in many traditional Chinese med...BACKGROUND Ulcerative colitis(UC)is a chronic and treatment-resistant disorder requiring potent therapeutics that are effective and safe.Cedrol(CE)is a bioactive natural product present in many traditional Chinese medicines.It is known for its suppression of inflammation and mitigation of oxidative stress.Its therapeutic efficacy and mechanistic underpinnings in UC remain uncharacterized.AIM To investigate the therapeutic potential and mechanisms of CE in UC.METHODS The anti-inflammatory activity and intestinal barrier-repairing effects of CE were assessed in a dextran sulfate sodium-induced murine colitis model.Network pharmacology was employed to predict potential targets and pathways.Then molecular docking and dynamics simulations were utilized to confirm a stable interaction between CE and the toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor 2(MD2)complex.The anti-inflammatory mechanisms were further verified using in vitro assays.Additionally,the gut microbiota composition was analyzed via 16S rRNA gene sequencing.RESULTS CE significantly alleviated colitis symptoms,mitigated histopathological damage,and suppressed inflammation.Moreover,CE restored intestinal barrier integrity by enhancing mucus secretion and upregulating tight junction proteins(zonula occludens 1,occludin,claudin-1).Mechanistically,CE stably bound to MD2,inhibiting lipopolysaccharide-induced TLR4 signaling in RAW264.7 cells.This led to suppression of the downstream mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathways,downregulating the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha,interleukin-1β,and interleukin-6.Gut microbiota analysis revealed that CE reversed dextran sulfate sodium-induced dysbiosis with significant enrichment of butyrogenic Christensenella minuta.CONCLUSION CE acted on MD2 to suppress proinflammatory cascades,promoting mucosal barrier reconstitution and microbiota remodeling and supporting its therapeutic use in UC.展开更多
Ulcerative colitis(UC)is a chronic intestinal inflammatory disease characterized by a complex pathogenesis.Weizmannia coagulans has emerged as a potential probiotic for treating intestinal disorders.This study aimed t...Ulcerative colitis(UC)is a chronic intestinal inflammatory disease characterized by a complex pathogenesis.Weizmannia coagulans has emerged as a potential probiotic for treating intestinal disorders.This study aimed to assess the therapeutic impact of W.coagulans BC99 on mice with DSS-induced UC and to elucidate its underlying mechanism of action.Our findings revealed that BC99 administration ameliorated symptoms associated with DSS-induced UC mice,as evidenced by reduced disease activity indexes,reversal of weight loss,and normalization of colon length.Furthermore,BC99 treatment also protected the integrity of the intestinal barrier through maintaining the antioxidant activity and the expression of tight junction proteins(ZO-1 and occludin),and regulating the inflammatory cytokines in DSS-induced UC mice.Additionally,BC99 supplementation enhanced the production of short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs)through the proliferation of SCFA-producing bacteria,including Bidobacterium,Blautia and Faecallbaculum.Notably,the NF-κB signaling pathway was found to be closely related to BC99 treatment in DSS-induced UC mice.The positive protein expression and the m RNA expression of TLR4,My D88 and p65 in colon tissue were all detected in BC99-treated groups,which indicating that BC99 could alleviate UC symptoms by inhibiting TLR4/My D88/NF-κB signaling pathway.Metabolomics further confirms the previous results.Collectively,these findings provide basic support for the W.coagulans as a functional food additive or a promising therapeutic agent for the effective management of UC.展开更多
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a persistent,diffuse intestinal inflammation and ranks among the most challenging chronic diseases worldwide.Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.) DC.and Atractylodis macrocephala Koidz.are tradition...Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a persistent,diffuse intestinal inflammation and ranks among the most challenging chronic diseases worldwide.Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.) DC.and Atractylodis macrocephala Koidz.are traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) with a long history of clinical application,particularly for gastrointestinal disorders.Both Atractylodis Rhizoma (AR)and Atractylodis Macrocephala Rhizoma (AM) have shown significant efficacy in managing UC;however,the underlying mechanism by which the AR-AM herbal pair promotes intestinal mucosal healing remains poorly understood.The therapeutic effects of the ethanolic extract of AR-AM (EEAR-AM) were evaluated in a murine UC model induced by dextran sodium sulfate(DSS).A network pharmacology approach was employed to explore the anti-UC properties of EEAR-AM,including identification of active compounds,prediction of potential targets,and construction of a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network.Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were subsequently performed to preliminarily elucidate the mechanisms of EEAR-AM in UC treatment.Finally,the proposed molecular mechanisms were validated in both DSS-induced UC mice and Caco-2 cells.In vivo results demonstrated that EEAR-AM significantly attenuated DSS-induced weight loss,reduced colon shortening,lowered the disease activity index (DAI) score,and modulated the spleen coefficient.Moreover,EEAR-AM improved colonic tissue architecture,reduced inflammatory infiltration,restored goblet cell density,enhanced mucin MUC2 expression,and elevated levels of tight junction (TJ) proteins.Additionally,EEAR-AM suppressed the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9.Network pharmacology analyses indicated that EEAR-AM may ameliorate intestinal mucosal dysfunction through modulation of the exchange protein directly activated by cAMP 1 (Epac1)/Ras-associated protein 1 (Rap1) pathway and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) pathways.These actions potentially enhance cellular barrier integrity and reduce the release of inflammatory mediators.Western blotting results confirmed that EEAR-AM activated the Epac1/Rap1 pathway while downregulating the PI3K/AKT pathway in both DSS-induced UC mice and Caco-2cells,consistent with predictions from network pharmacology.This study represents the first evidence that the EEAR-AM herbal pair improves intestinal mucosal barrier function in UC,with therapeutic effects likely mediated by activation of the Epac1/Rap1 pathway and inhibition of the PI3K/AKT pathway.展开更多
We read with great interest the study by Zhang et al on Yiyi Fuzi Baijiang powder(YFB),which exemplifies the power of modern methods to validate traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).The key insight is that YFB doesn’t m...We read with great interest the study by Zhang et al on Yiyi Fuzi Baijiang powder(YFB),which exemplifies the power of modern methods to validate traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).The key insight is that YFB doesn’t merely alter“good”or“bad”bacteria but restores the gut microbiota’s holistic equilibrium.This is powerfully shown by its paradoxical reduction of anaerobic probiotics like Bifidobacterium,rectifying the diseased,hypoxic environment,causing their aberrant overgrowth.This challenges the conventional probiotic paradigm and underscores a core TCM principle:Herbal formulas treat disease by restoring the body’s overall functional balance.Future research should focus on the interplay between herbal components,intestinal oxygen,and microbial metabolites to further unravel this sophisticated dialogue.展开更多
BACKGROUND 5-aminosalicylates(5-ASA)are the primary treatment for mild to moderate ulcerative colitis(UC).Maintenance therapy with 5-ASA has been shown to reduce both the risk of relapse and colorectal cancer.AIM To e...BACKGROUND 5-aminosalicylates(5-ASA)are the primary treatment for mild to moderate ulcerative colitis(UC).Maintenance therapy with 5-ASA has been shown to reduce both the risk of relapse and colorectal cancer.AIM To evaluate the outcomes of 5-ASA withdrawal due to non-adherence in UC patients while in remission on monotherapy.METHODS Adult patients with UC who were followed up between July 2019 and April 2025 were screened.Patients in remission receiving 5-ASA monotherapy who experienced treatment withdrawal due to non-adherence were included in this study.RESULTS Among 880 patients with UC,30(3.4%)had 5-ASA withdrawal due to nonadherence while in remission on monotherapy.Twelve patients(40%)had disease relapse after a median of 20 months.The rate of patients in remission was 89%in the first year,decreasing to 73%in the second year,and to 64%in the third year.There were no significant differences between patients with and without relapse in terms of demographics,disease extent,remission duration before 5-ASA withdrawal,previous medications,steroid dependence,5-ASA formulation,baseline inflammatory markers,or partial and endoscopic Mayo scores.Most patients(75%)who experienced relapse were successfully treated with 5-ASA monotherapy,while one-fourth of them required corticosteroids.No patients required biologic agents,hospitalization,or surgical intervention.CONCLUSION Intermittent therapy may be safe and feasible for UC patients,especially those in long-term remission,with treatment interruption up to one year considered acceptable.展开更多
BACKGROUND Despite advances in the treatment of ulcerative colitis(UC),some patients remain refractory to the currently available treatments.Dual biologic therapy(DBT)has emerged as a promising strategy for these pati...BACKGROUND Despite advances in the treatment of ulcerative colitis(UC),some patients remain refractory to the currently available treatments.Dual biologic therapy(DBT)has emerged as a promising strategy for these patients.CASE SUMMARY A patient with extensive UC presented with steroid dependence and contraindications(past medical history included breast cancer and previous myocardial infarction)to treatment with tumor necrosis factor and Janus kinase inhibitors.DBT ofα4β7 integrin antagonist(vedolizumab)and interleukin 23p19 inhibitor(mirikizumab)resulted in a sustained clinical and biochemical remission.No adverse events were recorded during the follow-up.CONCLUSION This case highlighted the challenge of managing refractory UC,especially in frail patients.展开更多
BACKGROUND Tofacitinib is an oral,selective Janus kinase inhibitor that is approved for the treatment of ulcerative colitis(UC).The 8-week induction protocol involves the administration of 10 mg twice daily(bid)with t...BACKGROUND Tofacitinib is an oral,selective Janus kinase inhibitor that is approved for the treatment of ulcerative colitis(UC).The 8-week induction protocol involves the administration of 10 mg twice daily(bid)with the possibility of extending the induction period to 16 weeks.The maintenance dose of tofacitinib is either 5 mg or 10 mg bid.AIM To assess predictors for clinical remission and drug persistence in patients with UC receiving the extended induction tofacitinib protocol.METHODS This was a real-world multicenter retrospective study in patients with moderateto-severe UC.Patients received physician-directed extended induction tofacitinib treatment.We collected clinical and demographic data at baseline and data regarding clinical,laboratory,and endoscopic evaluations,therapeutic modifications,and adverse events at the 52-week follow-up.Possible predictors for clinical remission at week 52 was the primary endpoint.Differences between patients receiving 5 mg bid vs 10 mg bid at week 52 and identification of predictors for treatment persistence were secondary endpoints.RESULTS Thirty-seven consecutive patients from 11 medical centers were included[51.4%males with median age 39(17-64)years].Twenty-eight patients continued treatment until week 52(75.7%)with 67.9%receiving 10 mg tofacitinib;all had prior history of biologic use.We observed that 57.1%of patients achieved clinical remission(66.7%in the 5 mg tofacitinib group and 52.6%in the 10 mg tofacitinib group,P=0.483).De-escalation to 5 mg tofacitinib was attempted in 17 patients with a success rate of 52.9%.Prior biologic use was significantly more frequent in patients treated with 10 mg tofacitinib.Active smoking was significantly associated with treatment discontinuation at week 52.We identified eight adverse events,and only one led to treatment discontinuation.CONCLUSION Our results supported the extended induction strategy with tofacitinib in selected patients with UC.Patients with prior failure of advanced therapies particularly benefitted,highlighting the importance of personalized maintenance regimens.展开更多
BACKGROUND Ulcerative colitis(UC)is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease treated with immunosuppressants to control inflammation.Drugs like azathioprine(AZA)and anti-tumor necrosis factor agents increase the risk of e...BACKGROUND Ulcerative colitis(UC)is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease treated with immunosuppressants to control inflammation.Drugs like azathioprine(AZA)and anti-tumor necrosis factor agents increase the risk of extraintestinal malignancies.However,no association has been established between these therapies and endometrial stromal sarcoma.This report presents a rare case of endometrial stromal sarcoma in a patient with UC undergoing immunosuppressive treatment and includes a literature review to explore any possible correlation between the disease,the therapies used,and the development of this rare tumor.CASE SUMMARY Female,49 years old,with UC pancolitis extension since 2017.She used aminosalicylates and AZA with non-response.She started infliximab and AZA combination therapy in 2020,with optimization in 2021 due to endoscopic activity.In the same year,the patient presented to the emergency room with ascitis and underwent diagnostic paracentesis,which showed serum-ascites albumin gradient<1.1 g/dL,absence of neoplastic cells,and abdominal and pelvic tomography reported a hypoechoic nodular lesion in the posterior wall of the uterus and elevated carbohydrate antigen 125.Given the suspicion of neoplasia,the suspension of immunosuppressive therapy was indicated.The patient underwent a total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy,and the pathological result reported low-grade endometrial sarcoma.It was decided to introduce vedolizumab for the management of UC;however,even after induction therapy,intense clinical and endoscopic disease activity was maintained,with total proctocolectomy being indicated due to clinical refractoriness and a history of neoplasia.CONCLUSION Patients with inflammatory bowel disease have a higher risk of cancer due to inflammation or treatment.Proper screening with multidisciplinary care can improve outcomes.展开更多
The problem of ulcerative colitis(UC)is becoming increasingly relevant due to its prevalence and combination with psychological disorders.UC is associated with alterations in the intestinal microbiocenosis as one of t...The problem of ulcerative colitis(UC)is becoming increasingly relevant due to its prevalence and combination with psychological disorders.UC is associated with alterations in the intestinal microbiocenosis as one of the factors reducing tolerance to self-antigens.In addition,patients with UC often experience anxiety,depression and other negative emotional and psychological factors aggravating the course of the underlying disease.The study presented by Wang et al shows that the traditional Chinese medicine Wuling can exert its therapeutic effect by reversing the aberrant precursor of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)/BDNF signaling in mice with UC and depression.The combination of Wuling powder with mesalazine can exhibit an antidepressant effect and reduce intestinal inflammation.Undoubtedly,the study by Chinese authors deserves attention,and changes in the balance of precursor of BDNF/p75 neurotrophin receptor/sortilin and BDNF/tropomyosin receptor kinase B signaling may become a novel therapeutic target for clinical treatment and further development of research.展开更多
Ulcerative colitis(UC) is a chronic lifelong condition characterized by alternating flare-ups and remission. There is no single known unifying cause, and the pathogenesis is multifactorial, with genetics, environmenta...Ulcerative colitis(UC) is a chronic lifelong condition characterized by alternating flare-ups and remission. There is no single known unifying cause, and the pathogenesis is multifactorial, with genetics, environmental factors, microbiota, and the immune system all playing roles. Current treatment modalities for UC include 5-aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, immunosuppressants(including purine antimetabolites, cyclosporine, and tacrolimus), and surgery. Therapeutic goals for UC are evolving. Medical treatment aims to induce remission and prevent relapse of disease activity. Infliximab, an anti-tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α monoclonal antibody, is the first biological agent for the treatment of UC. Over the last decade, infliximab and adalimumab(anti-TNF-α agents) have been used for moderate to severe UC, and have been shown to be effective in inducing and maintaining remission. Recent studies have indicated that golimumab(another anti-TNF-α agent), tofacitinib(a Janus kinase inhibitor), and vedolizumab and etrolizumab(integrin antagonists), achieved good clinical remission and response rates in UC. Recently, golimumab and vedolizumab have been approved for UC by the United States Food and Drug Administration. Vedolizumab may be used as a first-line alternative to anti-TNF-α therapy in patients with an inadequate response to corticosteroids and/or immunosuppressants. Here, we provide updated information on various biological agents in the treatment of UC.展开更多
AIM: to evaluate the effectiveness of probiotic therapy for suppressing relapse in patients with inactive ulcerative colitis(UC).METHODS: Bio-Three tablets, each containing 2 mg of lactomin(Streptococcus faecalis T-11...AIM: to evaluate the effectiveness of probiotic therapy for suppressing relapse in patients with inactive ulcerative colitis(UC).METHODS: Bio-Three tablets, each containing 2 mg of lactomin(Streptococcus faecalis T-110), 10 mg of Clostridium butyricum TO-A, and 10 mg of Bacillus mesentericus TO-A, were used as probiotic therapy.Sixty outpatients with UC in remission were randomly assigned to receive 9 Bio-Three tablets/day(BioThree group) or 9 placebo tablets/day(placebo group)for 12 mo in addition to their ongoing medications.Clinical symptoms were evaluated monthly or on the exacerbation of symptoms or need for additional medication. Fecal samples were collected to analyze bacterial DNA at baseline and 3-mo intervals. Terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism and cluster analyses were done to examine bacterial components of the fecal microflora.RESULTS: Forty-six patients, 23 in each group,completed the study, and 14 were excluded. The relapse rates in the Bio-Three and placebo groups were respectively 0.0% vs 17.4% at 3 mo(P = 0.036), 8.7%vs 26.1% at 6 mo(P = 0.119), and 21.7% vs 34.8%(P = 0.326) at 9 mo. At 12 mo, the remission rate was 69.5% in the Bio-Three group and 56.6% in the placebo group(P = 0.248). On cluster analysis of fecal flora, 7 patients belonged to cluster Ⅰ, 32 to cluster Ⅱ,and 7 to cluster Ⅲ.CONCLUSION: Probiotics may be effective formaintaining clinical remission in patients with quiescent UC, especially those who belong to cluster Ⅰ on fecal bacterial analysis.展开更多
Of the diverse biological agents used for patients with ulcerative colitis, the anti-tumor necrosis factor-α agents infliximab and adalimumab have been used in large-scale clinical trials and are currently...Of the diverse biological agents used for patients with ulcerative colitis, the anti-tumor necrosis factor-α agents infliximab and adalimumab have been used in large-scale clinical trials and are currently widely used in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease patients. Recent studies have indicated that golimumab, oral tofacitinib and vedolizumab reportedly achieved good clinical response and remission rates in ulcerative colitis patients. Thus, we believe that the detailed investigation of various studies on clinical trials may provide important information for the selection of appropriate biological agents, and therefore, we have extensively reviewed such trials in the present study.展开更多
AIM To study the innate immune function in ulcerative colitis(UC) patients who fail to respond to anti-tumor necrosis factor(TNF) therapy.METHODS Effects of anti-TNF therapy, inflammation and medications on innate imm...AIM To study the innate immune function in ulcerative colitis(UC) patients who fail to respond to anti-tumor necrosis factor(TNF) therapy.METHODS Effects of anti-TNF therapy, inflammation and medications on innate immune function were assessed by measuring peripheral blood mononuclear cell(PBMC) cytokine expression from 18 inflammatory bowel disease patients pre- and 3 mo post-anti-TNF therapy. Toll-like receptor(TLR) expression and cytokine production post TLR stimulation was assessed in UC "responders"(n = 12) and "non-responders"(n = 12) and compared to healthy controls(n = 12). Erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR) and C-reactive protein(CRP) levels were measured in blood to assess disease severity/activity and inflammation. Pro-inflammatory(TNF, IL-1β, IL-6), immuno-regulatory(IL-10), Th1(IL-12, IFNγ) and Th2(IL-9, IL-13, IL-17A) cytokine expression was measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay while TLR cellular composition and intracellular signalling was assessed with FACS.RESULTS Prior to anti-TNF therapy, responders and nonresponders had similar level of disease severity and activity. PBMC's ability to respond to TLR stimulation was not affected by TNF therapy, patient's severity of the disease and inflammation or their medication use. At baseline, non-responders had elevated innate but not adaptive immune responses compared to responders(P < 0.05). Following TLR stimulation, nonresponders had consistently reduced innate cytokine responses to all TLRs compared to healthy controls(P < 0.01) and diminished TNF(P < 0.001) and IL-1β(P < 0.01) production compared to responders. This innate immune dysfunction was associated with reduced number of circulating plasmacytoid dendritic cells(p DCs)(P < 0.01) but increased number of CD4+ regulatory T cells(Tregs)(P = 0.03) as well as intracellular accumulation of IRAK4 in non-responders following TLR-2,-4 and-7 activation(P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Reduced innate immunity in non-responders may explain reduced efficacy to anti-TNF therapy. These serological markers may prove useful in predicting the outcome of costly anti-TNF therapy.展开更多
AIM:To investigate the effect of keratinocyte growth factor(KGF) gene therapy in acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in rat model.METHODS:The colitis of Sprague-Dawley rats was induced by intrarectal infusion of 1 ...AIM:To investigate the effect of keratinocyte growth factor(KGF) gene therapy in acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in rat model.METHODS:The colitis of Sprague-Dawley rats was induced by intrarectal infusion of 1 mL 5%(v/v) acetic acid.Twenty-four hours after exposed to acetic acid,rats were divided into three experimental groups:control group,attenuated Salmonella typhimurium Ty21a strain(SP) group and SP strain carrying human KGF gene(SPK) group,and they were separately administered orally with 10% NaHCO3,SP or SPK.Animals were sacrificed and colonic tissues were harvested respectively on day 3,5,7 and 10 after administration.Weights of rats,colonic weight/length ratio and stool score were evaluated.Histological changes of colonic tissues were examined by hematoxylin and eosin(HE) staining method.The expression of KGF,KGF receptor(KGFR) and TNF-α were measured either by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or Western blotting.Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the cellular localization of KGFR and Ki67.In addition,superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity and malondialdehyde(MDA) contents in the homogenate were measured.RESULTS:Body weight and colonic weight/length ratio were declined in SPK group compared with SP and control groups(body weight:272.78 ± 17.92 g vs 243.72 ± 14.02 g and 240.68 ± 12.63 g,P < 0.01;colonic weight/length ratio:115.76 ± 7.47 vs 150.32 ± 5.99 and 153.67 ± 5.50 mg/cm,P < 0.01).Moreover,pathological changes of damaged colon were improved in SPK group as well.After administration of SPK strain,KGF expression increased markedly from the 3rd d,and remained at a high level till the 10th d.Furthermore,KGFR expression and Ki67 expression elevated,whereas TNF-α expression was inhibited in SPK group.In the group administered with SPK,SOD activity increased significantly(d 5:26.18 ± 5.84 vs 18.12 ± 3.30 and 18.79 ± 4.74 U/mg,P < 0.01;d 7:35.48 ± 3.35 vs 22.57 ± 3.44 and 21.69 ± 3.94 U/mg,P < 0.01;d 10:46.10 ± 6.23 vs 25.35 ± 4.76 and 27.82 ± 6.42 U/mg,P < 0.01) and MDA contents decreased accordingly(d 7:7.40 ± 0.88 vs 9.81 ± 1.21 and 10.45 ± 1.40 nmol/mg,P < 0.01;d 10:4.36 ± 0.62 vs 8.41 ± 0.92 and 8.71 ± 1.27 nmol/mg,P < 0.01),compared with SP and control groups.CONCLUSION:KGF gene therapy mediated by attenuated Salmonella ameliorates ulcerative colitis induced by acetic acids,and it may be a safe and effective treatment for ulcerative colitis.展开更多
The link between cytomegalovirus(CMV) infection and inflammatory bowel diseases remains an important subject of debate. CMV infection is frequent in ulcerative colitis(UC) and has been shown to be potentially harmful....The link between cytomegalovirus(CMV) infection and inflammatory bowel diseases remains an important subject of debate. CMV infection is frequent in ulcerative colitis(UC) and has been shown to be potentially harmful. CMV reactivation needs to be diagnosed using methods that include in situ detection of viral markers by immunohistochemistry or by nucleic acid amplification techniques. Determination of the density of infection using quantitative tools(numbers of infected cells or copies of the genome) is particularly important. Although CMV reactivation can be considered as an innocent bystander in active flareups of refractory UC, an increasing number of studies suggest a deleterious role of CMV in this situation. The presence of colonic CMV infection is possibly linked to a decreased response to steroids and other immunosuppressive agents. Some treatments, notably steroids and cyclosporine A, have been shown to favor CMV reactivation, which seems not to be the case for therapies using anti-tumor necrosis factor drugs. According to these findings, in flare-ups of refractory UC, it is now recommended to look for the presence of CMV reactivation by using quantitative tools in colonic biopsies and to treat them with ganciclovir in cases of high viral load or severe disease.展开更多
We present the case of a 53-year-old woman with long-standing ulcerative colitis and severe, steroid-dependent disease course unresponsive to treatment with azathioprine, methotrexate, anti-TNF antibodies(infliximab, ...We present the case of a 53-year-old woman with long-standing ulcerative colitis and severe, steroid-dependent disease course unresponsive to treatment with azathioprine, methotrexate, anti-TNF antibodies(infliximab, adalimumab) and tacrolimus, who refused colectomy as a therapeutic option. As the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6(IL-6) had been identified as a crucial regulator in the immunopathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases, we treated the patient with biweekly intravenous infusions of an anti-IL-6R antibody(tocilizumab) for 12 wk. However, no clinical improvement of disease activity was noted. In fact, endoscopic, histological and endomicroscopic assessment demonstrated exacerbation of mucosal inflammation and ulcer formation upon anti-IL-6R therapy. Mechanistic studies revealed that tocilizumab treatment failed to suppress intestinal IL-6 production, impaired epithelial barrier function and induced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF, IL-21 and IFN-γ. Inhibition of IL-6 by tocilizumab had no clinical benefit in this patient with intractable ulcerative colitis and even led to exacerbation of mucosal inflammation. Our findings suggest that anti-IL-6R antibody therapy may leadto aggravation of anti-TNF resistant ulcerative colitis. When targeting IL-6, the differential responsiveness of target cells has to be taken into account, as IL-6 on the one side promotes acute and chronic mucosal inflammation via soluble IL-6R signaling but on the other side also strongly contributes to epithelial cell survival via membrane bound IL-6R signaling.展开更多
文摘BACKGROUND Ulcerative colitis(UC)is a chronic and debilitating inflammatory bowel disease.Cumulative evidence indicates that excess hydrogen peroxide,a potent neutrophilic chemotactic agent,produced by colonic epithelial cells has a causal role leading to infiltration of neutrophils into the colonic mucosa and subsequent development of UC.This evidence-based mechanism identifies hydrogen peroxide as a therapeutic target for reducing agents in the treatment of UC.CASE SUMMARY Presented is a 41-year-old female with a 26-year history of refractory UC.Having developed steroid dependence and never achieving complete remission on treatment by conventional and advanced therapies,she began treatment with oral R-dihydrolipoic acid(RDLA),a lipid-soluble reducing agent with intracellular site of action.Within a week,rectal bleeding ceased.She was asymptomatic for three years until a highly stressful experience,when she noticed blood in her stool.RDLA was discontinued,and she began treatment with oral sodium thiosulfate pentahydrate(STS),a reducing agent with extracellular site of action.After a week,rectal bleeding ceased,and she resumed oral RDLA and discontinued STS.To date,she remains asymptomatic with normal stool calprotectin while on RDLA.CONCLUSION STS and RDLA are reducing agents that serve as highly effective and safe therapy for the induction and maintenance of remission in UC,even in patients refractory or poorly controlled by conventional and advanced therapies.Should preliminary findings be validated by subsequent clinical trials,the use of reducing agents could potentially prevent thousands of colectomies and represent a paradigm shift in the treatment of UC.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.82374200Construction of Traditional Chinese Medicine Inheritance and Innovation Development Demonstration Pilot Projects in Pudong New Area-High-Level Research-Oriented Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital Construction,No.YC-2023-0901.
文摘Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease characterized byclinical symptoms of diarrhea and mucopurulent bloody stools, and its incidenceis increasing globally. The etiology and pathogenesis of UC remain elusive. Currenttherapeutic approaches, including anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressiveand immunomodulating agents, are often limited in efficacy and frequently associatedwith adverse drug reactions. Therefore, there is an urgent need to developsafer and more effective treatment strategies to address the limitations of existingtherapies. Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (HQ), a traditional Chinese medicinal herb,has been employed in the treatment of UC for over 2000 years. Recent studieshave demonstrated that HQ contains multiple active components capable oftreating UC through anti-inflammation, immune modulation, intestinal barrierprotection, antioxidant activity, and regulation of the gut microbiota. This paperreviews recent studies on the mechanism of action and clinical trials of HQ intreating UC based on relevant literature, with the aim of providing valuable insightsinto future treatment approaches.
基金financial support from the Postdoctoral Fund of Hebei Medical University(30705010038)the Chunyu Project Initial Funding of Hebei Medical University(CYQD2023012)+3 种基金the Science Research Project of Hebei Education Department(QN2025145)the Hebei Yanzhao Golden Platform Talent Gathering Plan Backbone Talent Project(B2024003013)the Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province(H2024206375,C2022206018,H2023206068)the Traditional Chinese Medicine Administration Project of Hebei Province(2025427).
文摘Glehniae Radix has a wide range of pharmaceutical applications,and research on its main components has mainly focused on coumarins,alkaloids,lignans,and flavonoids,while neglecting the research on polysaccharides.Literature reports and our previous studies have shown that polysaccharides have certain therapeutic significance in immune regulation,antioxidant,anti-inflammatory and other aspects.Herein,the rat model of ulcerative colitis(UC)was established to evaluate the anti-inflammatory efficacy of the prepared Glehniae Radix polysaccharide(GLP)from the perspectives of inflammatory factors,intestinal tissue morphology,and microflora changes.The polysaccharides are mainly composed of galacturonic acid,rhamnose,glucose,galactose,and arabinose in molar ratios of 1.4:9.2:33.3:2.5:2.9,and GLP could downregulate the expression pro-inflammatory factors(interleukin 6,tumor necrosis factorα,and interferonγ)and significantly upregulate the expression of antiinflammatory factor(interleukin 10).In addition,Glehniae Radix aqueous extract(GLA),GLP with low dosage and GLP with high dosage(GLPH)could increase the number of goblet cells,enhance the integrity of crypt structure,and reverse the status of inflammatory infiltrating cells.Moreover,GLA and GLPH could upregulate Lactobacillus and Lachnoclostridium in UC rats,and appropriately downregulate Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group,thereby optimizing the proportion of bacterial flora and improving the intestinal microbial environment.Our findings not only be valuable as theoretical materials for the further clinical applications of GLP,but the identified biomarkers and metabolic pathways also provide new clues for the diagnosis of UC.
基金Supported by the Provincial Key Cultivation Laboratory for Digestive Disease Research,No.2021SYS13Shanxi Province’s“Si Ge Yi Pi”Science and Technology Driven Medical Innovation Project,No.2021MX03Shanxi Provincial Basic Research Program,No.202403021222423.
文摘BACKGROUND Ulcerative colitis(UC)is a chronic and treatment-resistant disorder requiring potent therapeutics that are effective and safe.Cedrol(CE)is a bioactive natural product present in many traditional Chinese medicines.It is known for its suppression of inflammation and mitigation of oxidative stress.Its therapeutic efficacy and mechanistic underpinnings in UC remain uncharacterized.AIM To investigate the therapeutic potential and mechanisms of CE in UC.METHODS The anti-inflammatory activity and intestinal barrier-repairing effects of CE were assessed in a dextran sulfate sodium-induced murine colitis model.Network pharmacology was employed to predict potential targets and pathways.Then molecular docking and dynamics simulations were utilized to confirm a stable interaction between CE and the toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor 2(MD2)complex.The anti-inflammatory mechanisms were further verified using in vitro assays.Additionally,the gut microbiota composition was analyzed via 16S rRNA gene sequencing.RESULTS CE significantly alleviated colitis symptoms,mitigated histopathological damage,and suppressed inflammation.Moreover,CE restored intestinal barrier integrity by enhancing mucus secretion and upregulating tight junction proteins(zonula occludens 1,occludin,claudin-1).Mechanistically,CE stably bound to MD2,inhibiting lipopolysaccharide-induced TLR4 signaling in RAW264.7 cells.This led to suppression of the downstream mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor kappa B signaling pathways,downregulating the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha,interleukin-1β,and interleukin-6.Gut microbiota analysis revealed that CE reversed dextran sulfate sodium-induced dysbiosis with significant enrichment of butyrogenic Christensenella minuta.CONCLUSION CE acted on MD2 to suppress proinflammatory cascades,promoting mucosal barrier reconstitution and microbiota remodeling and supporting its therapeutic use in UC.
基金financially supported by the Major Science and Technology Special Projects in Henan Province(231100310200)the Key R&D Projects in Henan Province(241111314200)+1 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32302172)the Natural Science Foundation of Henan Province(252300423038).
文摘Ulcerative colitis(UC)is a chronic intestinal inflammatory disease characterized by a complex pathogenesis.Weizmannia coagulans has emerged as a potential probiotic for treating intestinal disorders.This study aimed to assess the therapeutic impact of W.coagulans BC99 on mice with DSS-induced UC and to elucidate its underlying mechanism of action.Our findings revealed that BC99 administration ameliorated symptoms associated with DSS-induced UC mice,as evidenced by reduced disease activity indexes,reversal of weight loss,and normalization of colon length.Furthermore,BC99 treatment also protected the integrity of the intestinal barrier through maintaining the antioxidant activity and the expression of tight junction proteins(ZO-1 and occludin),and regulating the inflammatory cytokines in DSS-induced UC mice.Additionally,BC99 supplementation enhanced the production of short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs)through the proliferation of SCFA-producing bacteria,including Bidobacterium,Blautia and Faecallbaculum.Notably,the NF-κB signaling pathway was found to be closely related to BC99 treatment in DSS-induced UC mice.The positive protein expression and the m RNA expression of TLR4,My D88 and p65 in colon tissue were all detected in BC99-treated groups,which indicating that BC99 could alleviate UC symptoms by inhibiting TLR4/My D88/NF-κB signaling pathway.Metabolomics further confirms the previous results.Collectively,these findings provide basic support for the W.coagulans as a functional food additive or a promising therapeutic agent for the effective management of UC.
基金supported by the Key Scientific Research Project of Hubei Provincial Department of Education (No.D20232001)。
文摘Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a persistent,diffuse intestinal inflammation and ranks among the most challenging chronic diseases worldwide.Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.) DC.and Atractylodis macrocephala Koidz.are traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) with a long history of clinical application,particularly for gastrointestinal disorders.Both Atractylodis Rhizoma (AR)and Atractylodis Macrocephala Rhizoma (AM) have shown significant efficacy in managing UC;however,the underlying mechanism by which the AR-AM herbal pair promotes intestinal mucosal healing remains poorly understood.The therapeutic effects of the ethanolic extract of AR-AM (EEAR-AM) were evaluated in a murine UC model induced by dextran sodium sulfate(DSS).A network pharmacology approach was employed to explore the anti-UC properties of EEAR-AM,including identification of active compounds,prediction of potential targets,and construction of a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network.Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were subsequently performed to preliminarily elucidate the mechanisms of EEAR-AM in UC treatment.Finally,the proposed molecular mechanisms were validated in both DSS-induced UC mice and Caco-2 cells.In vivo results demonstrated that EEAR-AM significantly attenuated DSS-induced weight loss,reduced colon shortening,lowered the disease activity index (DAI) score,and modulated the spleen coefficient.Moreover,EEAR-AM improved colonic tissue architecture,reduced inflammatory infiltration,restored goblet cell density,enhanced mucin MUC2 expression,and elevated levels of tight junction (TJ) proteins.Additionally,EEAR-AM suppressed the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9.Network pharmacology analyses indicated that EEAR-AM may ameliorate intestinal mucosal dysfunction through modulation of the exchange protein directly activated by cAMP 1 (Epac1)/Ras-associated protein 1 (Rap1) pathway and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) pathways.These actions potentially enhance cellular barrier integrity and reduce the release of inflammatory mediators.Western blotting results confirmed that EEAR-AM activated the Epac1/Rap1 pathway while downregulating the PI3K/AKT pathway in both DSS-induced UC mice and Caco-2cells,consistent with predictions from network pharmacology.This study represents the first evidence that the EEAR-AM herbal pair improves intestinal mucosal barrier function in UC,with therapeutic effects likely mediated by activation of the Epac1/Rap1 pathway and inhibition of the PI3K/AKT pathway.
文摘We read with great interest the study by Zhang et al on Yiyi Fuzi Baijiang powder(YFB),which exemplifies the power of modern methods to validate traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).The key insight is that YFB doesn’t merely alter“good”or“bad”bacteria but restores the gut microbiota’s holistic equilibrium.This is powerfully shown by its paradoxical reduction of anaerobic probiotics like Bifidobacterium,rectifying the diseased,hypoxic environment,causing their aberrant overgrowth.This challenges the conventional probiotic paradigm and underscores a core TCM principle:Herbal formulas treat disease by restoring the body’s overall functional balance.Future research should focus on the interplay between herbal components,intestinal oxygen,and microbial metabolites to further unravel this sophisticated dialogue.
文摘BACKGROUND 5-aminosalicylates(5-ASA)are the primary treatment for mild to moderate ulcerative colitis(UC).Maintenance therapy with 5-ASA has been shown to reduce both the risk of relapse and colorectal cancer.AIM To evaluate the outcomes of 5-ASA withdrawal due to non-adherence in UC patients while in remission on monotherapy.METHODS Adult patients with UC who were followed up between July 2019 and April 2025 were screened.Patients in remission receiving 5-ASA monotherapy who experienced treatment withdrawal due to non-adherence were included in this study.RESULTS Among 880 patients with UC,30(3.4%)had 5-ASA withdrawal due to nonadherence while in remission on monotherapy.Twelve patients(40%)had disease relapse after a median of 20 months.The rate of patients in remission was 89%in the first year,decreasing to 73%in the second year,and to 64%in the third year.There were no significant differences between patients with and without relapse in terms of demographics,disease extent,remission duration before 5-ASA withdrawal,previous medications,steroid dependence,5-ASA formulation,baseline inflammatory markers,or partial and endoscopic Mayo scores.Most patients(75%)who experienced relapse were successfully treated with 5-ASA monotherapy,while one-fourth of them required corticosteroids.No patients required biologic agents,hospitalization,or surgical intervention.CONCLUSION Intermittent therapy may be safe and feasible for UC patients,especially those in long-term remission,with treatment interruption up to one year considered acceptable.
文摘BACKGROUND Despite advances in the treatment of ulcerative colitis(UC),some patients remain refractory to the currently available treatments.Dual biologic therapy(DBT)has emerged as a promising strategy for these patients.CASE SUMMARY A patient with extensive UC presented with steroid dependence and contraindications(past medical history included breast cancer and previous myocardial infarction)to treatment with tumor necrosis factor and Janus kinase inhibitors.DBT ofα4β7 integrin antagonist(vedolizumab)and interleukin 23p19 inhibitor(mirikizumab)resulted in a sustained clinical and biochemical remission.No adverse events were recorded during the follow-up.CONCLUSION This case highlighted the challenge of managing refractory UC,especially in frail patients.
文摘BACKGROUND Tofacitinib is an oral,selective Janus kinase inhibitor that is approved for the treatment of ulcerative colitis(UC).The 8-week induction protocol involves the administration of 10 mg twice daily(bid)with the possibility of extending the induction period to 16 weeks.The maintenance dose of tofacitinib is either 5 mg or 10 mg bid.AIM To assess predictors for clinical remission and drug persistence in patients with UC receiving the extended induction tofacitinib protocol.METHODS This was a real-world multicenter retrospective study in patients with moderateto-severe UC.Patients received physician-directed extended induction tofacitinib treatment.We collected clinical and demographic data at baseline and data regarding clinical,laboratory,and endoscopic evaluations,therapeutic modifications,and adverse events at the 52-week follow-up.Possible predictors for clinical remission at week 52 was the primary endpoint.Differences between patients receiving 5 mg bid vs 10 mg bid at week 52 and identification of predictors for treatment persistence were secondary endpoints.RESULTS Thirty-seven consecutive patients from 11 medical centers were included[51.4%males with median age 39(17-64)years].Twenty-eight patients continued treatment until week 52(75.7%)with 67.9%receiving 10 mg tofacitinib;all had prior history of biologic use.We observed that 57.1%of patients achieved clinical remission(66.7%in the 5 mg tofacitinib group and 52.6%in the 10 mg tofacitinib group,P=0.483).De-escalation to 5 mg tofacitinib was attempted in 17 patients with a success rate of 52.9%.Prior biologic use was significantly more frequent in patients treated with 10 mg tofacitinib.Active smoking was significantly associated with treatment discontinuation at week 52.We identified eight adverse events,and only one led to treatment discontinuation.CONCLUSION Our results supported the extended induction strategy with tofacitinib in selected patients with UC.Patients with prior failure of advanced therapies particularly benefitted,highlighting the importance of personalized maintenance regimens.
文摘BACKGROUND Ulcerative colitis(UC)is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease treated with immunosuppressants to control inflammation.Drugs like azathioprine(AZA)and anti-tumor necrosis factor agents increase the risk of extraintestinal malignancies.However,no association has been established between these therapies and endometrial stromal sarcoma.This report presents a rare case of endometrial stromal sarcoma in a patient with UC undergoing immunosuppressive treatment and includes a literature review to explore any possible correlation between the disease,the therapies used,and the development of this rare tumor.CASE SUMMARY Female,49 years old,with UC pancolitis extension since 2017.She used aminosalicylates and AZA with non-response.She started infliximab and AZA combination therapy in 2020,with optimization in 2021 due to endoscopic activity.In the same year,the patient presented to the emergency room with ascitis and underwent diagnostic paracentesis,which showed serum-ascites albumin gradient<1.1 g/dL,absence of neoplastic cells,and abdominal and pelvic tomography reported a hypoechoic nodular lesion in the posterior wall of the uterus and elevated carbohydrate antigen 125.Given the suspicion of neoplasia,the suspension of immunosuppressive therapy was indicated.The patient underwent a total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy,and the pathological result reported low-grade endometrial sarcoma.It was decided to introduce vedolizumab for the management of UC;however,even after induction therapy,intense clinical and endoscopic disease activity was maintained,with total proctocolectomy being indicated due to clinical refractoriness and a history of neoplasia.CONCLUSION Patients with inflammatory bowel disease have a higher risk of cancer due to inflammation or treatment.Proper screening with multidisciplinary care can improve outcomes.
文摘The problem of ulcerative colitis(UC)is becoming increasingly relevant due to its prevalence and combination with psychological disorders.UC is associated with alterations in the intestinal microbiocenosis as one of the factors reducing tolerance to self-antigens.In addition,patients with UC often experience anxiety,depression and other negative emotional and psychological factors aggravating the course of the underlying disease.The study presented by Wang et al shows that the traditional Chinese medicine Wuling can exert its therapeutic effect by reversing the aberrant precursor of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)/BDNF signaling in mice with UC and depression.The combination of Wuling powder with mesalazine can exhibit an antidepressant effect and reduce intestinal inflammation.Undoubtedly,the study by Chinese authors deserves attention,and changes in the balance of precursor of BDNF/p75 neurotrophin receptor/sortilin and BDNF/tropomyosin receptor kinase B signaling may become a novel therapeutic target for clinical treatment and further development of research.
文摘Ulcerative colitis(UC) is a chronic lifelong condition characterized by alternating flare-ups and remission. There is no single known unifying cause, and the pathogenesis is multifactorial, with genetics, environmental factors, microbiota, and the immune system all playing roles. Current treatment modalities for UC include 5-aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, immunosuppressants(including purine antimetabolites, cyclosporine, and tacrolimus), and surgery. Therapeutic goals for UC are evolving. Medical treatment aims to induce remission and prevent relapse of disease activity. Infliximab, an anti-tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α monoclonal antibody, is the first biological agent for the treatment of UC. Over the last decade, infliximab and adalimumab(anti-TNF-α agents) have been used for moderate to severe UC, and have been shown to be effective in inducing and maintaining remission. Recent studies have indicated that golimumab(another anti-TNF-α agent), tofacitinib(a Janus kinase inhibitor), and vedolizumab and etrolizumab(integrin antagonists), achieved good clinical remission and response rates in UC. Recently, golimumab and vedolizumab have been approved for UC by the United States Food and Drug Administration. Vedolizumab may be used as a first-line alternative to anti-TNF-α therapy in patients with an inadequate response to corticosteroids and/or immunosuppressants. Here, we provide updated information on various biological agents in the treatment of UC.
基金supported by in part by a grant from the Japan Ministry of Health and Welfare
文摘AIM: to evaluate the effectiveness of probiotic therapy for suppressing relapse in patients with inactive ulcerative colitis(UC).METHODS: Bio-Three tablets, each containing 2 mg of lactomin(Streptococcus faecalis T-110), 10 mg of Clostridium butyricum TO-A, and 10 mg of Bacillus mesentericus TO-A, were used as probiotic therapy.Sixty outpatients with UC in remission were randomly assigned to receive 9 Bio-Three tablets/day(BioThree group) or 9 placebo tablets/day(placebo group)for 12 mo in addition to their ongoing medications.Clinical symptoms were evaluated monthly or on the exacerbation of symptoms or need for additional medication. Fecal samples were collected to analyze bacterial DNA at baseline and 3-mo intervals. Terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism and cluster analyses were done to examine bacterial components of the fecal microflora.RESULTS: Forty-six patients, 23 in each group,completed the study, and 14 were excluded. The relapse rates in the Bio-Three and placebo groups were respectively 0.0% vs 17.4% at 3 mo(P = 0.036), 8.7%vs 26.1% at 6 mo(P = 0.119), and 21.7% vs 34.8%(P = 0.326) at 9 mo. At 12 mo, the remission rate was 69.5% in the Bio-Three group and 56.6% in the placebo group(P = 0.248). On cluster analysis of fecal flora, 7 patients belonged to cluster Ⅰ, 32 to cluster Ⅱ,and 7 to cluster Ⅲ.CONCLUSION: Probiotics may be effective formaintaining clinical remission in patients with quiescent UC, especially those who belong to cluster Ⅰ on fecal bacterial analysis.
基金Supported by Grants from Wonkwang University in 2013
文摘Of the diverse biological agents used for patients with ulcerative colitis, the anti-tumor necrosis factor-α agents infliximab and adalimumab have been used in large-scale clinical trials and are currently widely used in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease patients. Recent studies have indicated that golimumab, oral tofacitinib and vedolizumab reportedly achieved good clinical response and remission rates in ulcerative colitis patients. Thus, we believe that the detailed investigation of various studies on clinical trials may provide important information for the selection of appropriate biological agents, and therefore, we have extensively reviewed such trials in the present study.
文摘AIM To study the innate immune function in ulcerative colitis(UC) patients who fail to respond to anti-tumor necrosis factor(TNF) therapy.METHODS Effects of anti-TNF therapy, inflammation and medications on innate immune function were assessed by measuring peripheral blood mononuclear cell(PBMC) cytokine expression from 18 inflammatory bowel disease patients pre- and 3 mo post-anti-TNF therapy. Toll-like receptor(TLR) expression and cytokine production post TLR stimulation was assessed in UC "responders"(n = 12) and "non-responders"(n = 12) and compared to healthy controls(n = 12). Erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR) and C-reactive protein(CRP) levels were measured in blood to assess disease severity/activity and inflammation. Pro-inflammatory(TNF, IL-1β, IL-6), immuno-regulatory(IL-10), Th1(IL-12, IFNγ) and Th2(IL-9, IL-13, IL-17A) cytokine expression was measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay while TLR cellular composition and intracellular signalling was assessed with FACS.RESULTS Prior to anti-TNF therapy, responders and nonresponders had similar level of disease severity and activity. PBMC's ability to respond to TLR stimulation was not affected by TNF therapy, patient's severity of the disease and inflammation or their medication use. At baseline, non-responders had elevated innate but not adaptive immune responses compared to responders(P < 0.05). Following TLR stimulation, nonresponders had consistently reduced innate cytokine responses to all TLRs compared to healthy controls(P < 0.01) and diminished TNF(P < 0.001) and IL-1β(P < 0.01) production compared to responders. This innate immune dysfunction was associated with reduced number of circulating plasmacytoid dendritic cells(p DCs)(P < 0.01) but increased number of CD4+ regulatory T cells(Tregs)(P = 0.03) as well as intracellular accumulation of IRAK4 in non-responders following TLR-2,-4 and-7 activation(P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Reduced innate immunity in non-responders may explain reduced efficacy to anti-TNF therapy. These serological markers may prove useful in predicting the outcome of costly anti-TNF therapy.
基金Supported by Postdoctoral Science Foundation of China,No.20060390192,200801243research grant from Science and Technology Department of Gansu Province,China,No.0708NKCA128
文摘AIM:To investigate the effect of keratinocyte growth factor(KGF) gene therapy in acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in rat model.METHODS:The colitis of Sprague-Dawley rats was induced by intrarectal infusion of 1 mL 5%(v/v) acetic acid.Twenty-four hours after exposed to acetic acid,rats were divided into three experimental groups:control group,attenuated Salmonella typhimurium Ty21a strain(SP) group and SP strain carrying human KGF gene(SPK) group,and they were separately administered orally with 10% NaHCO3,SP or SPK.Animals were sacrificed and colonic tissues were harvested respectively on day 3,5,7 and 10 after administration.Weights of rats,colonic weight/length ratio and stool score were evaluated.Histological changes of colonic tissues were examined by hematoxylin and eosin(HE) staining method.The expression of KGF,KGF receptor(KGFR) and TNF-α were measured either by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or Western blotting.Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the cellular localization of KGFR and Ki67.In addition,superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity and malondialdehyde(MDA) contents in the homogenate were measured.RESULTS:Body weight and colonic weight/length ratio were declined in SPK group compared with SP and control groups(body weight:272.78 ± 17.92 g vs 243.72 ± 14.02 g and 240.68 ± 12.63 g,P < 0.01;colonic weight/length ratio:115.76 ± 7.47 vs 150.32 ± 5.99 and 153.67 ± 5.50 mg/cm,P < 0.01).Moreover,pathological changes of damaged colon were improved in SPK group as well.After administration of SPK strain,KGF expression increased markedly from the 3rd d,and remained at a high level till the 10th d.Furthermore,KGFR expression and Ki67 expression elevated,whereas TNF-α expression was inhibited in SPK group.In the group administered with SPK,SOD activity increased significantly(d 5:26.18 ± 5.84 vs 18.12 ± 3.30 and 18.79 ± 4.74 U/mg,P < 0.01;d 7:35.48 ± 3.35 vs 22.57 ± 3.44 and 21.69 ± 3.94 U/mg,P < 0.01;d 10:46.10 ± 6.23 vs 25.35 ± 4.76 and 27.82 ± 6.42 U/mg,P < 0.01) and MDA contents decreased accordingly(d 7:7.40 ± 0.88 vs 9.81 ± 1.21 and 10.45 ± 1.40 nmol/mg,P < 0.01;d 10:4.36 ± 0.62 vs 8.41 ± 0.92 and 8.71 ± 1.27 nmol/mg,P < 0.01),compared with SP and control groups.CONCLUSION:KGF gene therapy mediated by attenuated Salmonella ameliorates ulcerative colitis induced by acetic acids,and it may be a safe and effective treatment for ulcerative colitis.
文摘The link between cytomegalovirus(CMV) infection and inflammatory bowel diseases remains an important subject of debate. CMV infection is frequent in ulcerative colitis(UC) and has been shown to be potentially harmful. CMV reactivation needs to be diagnosed using methods that include in situ detection of viral markers by immunohistochemistry or by nucleic acid amplification techniques. Determination of the density of infection using quantitative tools(numbers of infected cells or copies of the genome) is particularly important. Although CMV reactivation can be considered as an innocent bystander in active flareups of refractory UC, an increasing number of studies suggest a deleterious role of CMV in this situation. The presence of colonic CMV infection is possibly linked to a decreased response to steroids and other immunosuppressive agents. Some treatments, notably steroids and cyclosporine A, have been shown to favor CMV reactivation, which seems not to be the case for therapies using anti-tumor necrosis factor drugs. According to these findings, in flare-ups of refractory UC, it is now recommended to look for the presence of CMV reactivation by using quantitative tools in colonic biopsies and to treat them with ganciclovir in cases of high viral load or severe disease.
基金Supported by Clinical Research Group 257 CEDER of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
文摘We present the case of a 53-year-old woman with long-standing ulcerative colitis and severe, steroid-dependent disease course unresponsive to treatment with azathioprine, methotrexate, anti-TNF antibodies(infliximab, adalimumab) and tacrolimus, who refused colectomy as a therapeutic option. As the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6(IL-6) had been identified as a crucial regulator in the immunopathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases, we treated the patient with biweekly intravenous infusions of an anti-IL-6R antibody(tocilizumab) for 12 wk. However, no clinical improvement of disease activity was noted. In fact, endoscopic, histological and endomicroscopic assessment demonstrated exacerbation of mucosal inflammation and ulcer formation upon anti-IL-6R therapy. Mechanistic studies revealed that tocilizumab treatment failed to suppress intestinal IL-6 production, impaired epithelial barrier function and induced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF, IL-21 and IFN-γ. Inhibition of IL-6 by tocilizumab had no clinical benefit in this patient with intractable ulcerative colitis and even led to exacerbation of mucosal inflammation. Our findings suggest that anti-IL-6R antibody therapy may leadto aggravation of anti-TNF resistant ulcerative colitis. When targeting IL-6, the differential responsiveness of target cells has to be taken into account, as IL-6 on the one side promotes acute and chronic mucosal inflammation via soluble IL-6R signaling but on the other side also strongly contributes to epithelial cell survival via membrane bound IL-6R signaling.
