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Abstract: Introduction: Short-chain fatty acids affect enterocyte metabolism and differentiation. Butyric acid in particular is already used in ulcerative rectal colitis, pouchitis and antibiotic-induced diarrhoea. Aims: To assess the efficacy of butyrate in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Patients: Fifty patients with IBS were treated using enteric-coated sodium butyrate tablets at a dosage of 1 g/day for 30 days. Methods: The patients were divided into two subgroups: constipation-predominant IBS and diarrhoea-predominant IBS. The IBS variant and symptom scores of patients were recorded before and after treatment. Results: Treatment with butyric acid reduced in normalisation of status in 68% and 71% of patients in the diarrhoea-predominant IBS group vs. 14% and 16% of patients in the constipation-predominant IBS group (respectively for the intent-to-treat and per-protocol analyses) (p < 0.005). The symptoms score for abdominal pain, meteorism and flatulence was significantly improved in patients with the diarrhoea variant compared with those with the constipation variant (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Oral administration of butyrate may be effective in regulating status and improving gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with the diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Mesalazine is among the medications most prescribed by gastroenterologists, with variable and controversial use in different settings. We aimed to explore the use of mesalazine in the clinical practice of young gastroenterologists., Methods: A web-based electronic survey was distributed to all participants of the National Meeting of the Italian Young Gastroenterologist and Endoscopist Association., Results: A total of 101 participants took part in the survey, with a majority (54.4%) being aged >30 years, 63.4% of whom were trainees in academic hospitals, and 69.3% of whom were involved in the clinical management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). While both non-dedicated and IBD physicians generally agreed on the appropriate dose of mesalazine for mild ulcerative colitis (UC), significant differences were observed between the two groups for moderate-severe ulcerative colitis (UC). Additionally, in IBD patients who were starting immuno-modulators and/or biologics, 80% of IBD-dedicated physicians continued to prescribe mesalazine, compared to 45.2% of non-dedicated physicians ( p = 0.002). Indeed, 48.4% of non-dedicated IBD physicians did not acknowledge mesalazine for colorectal cancer chemoprevention. With regards to Crohn's disease, it is mainly used by 30.1% of IBD physicians for preventing postoperative recurrence of Crohn's disease. Finally, 57.4% used mesalazine for symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease, and 84.2% did not recommend its use for irritable bowel syndrome., Conclusions: This survey showed heterogeneous behaviors in the daily use of mesalazine, mainly in the management of IBD. Educational programs and novel studies are needed to clarify its use.

Serrated lesions represent a group of lesions with different genetic and biological features causing important clinical repercussions. Three types of serrated lesions are identified: hyperplastic, sessile adenomas (with and without dysplasia) and traditional serrated adenomas. Such lesions are now recognized as precancerous lesions.The carcinogenic process of serrated lesions follows a pathway including: alterations concerning activation of mitogen and protein kinase regulating the extracellular signal of other intracellular kinases (MAPK-ERK), inhibition of the apoptosis and hypermethylation of DNA and instability of microsatellites. Like for adenomatous polyps, the risk factors for serrated lesions are environmental factors, related to lifestyle and diet. The cancerogenic risk is increased by excessive alcohol consumption, obesity and poor intake of folate. When a high number of colorectal polyps with architecture serrated is diagnosed, it could be considered as serrated polyposis syndrome (SPS). According the most recent ESGE guidelines, the diagnostic criteria of the SPS, are: at least 5 polyps resected proximal to the sigmoid colon, 2 of which> 10 mm, or >20 serrated lesions of any size distributed in the entire colon. This condition presents a high risk for personal and/or familiar CRC, for this reason a regular screening colonoscopy should be performed in these patients and in their first-degree relatives.

Competing Interests: Competing interests: Beyond the conduction of this study, IB declares to be: consultant for Apollo Endosurgery, Cook Medical and Boston Scientific; board member for Endo Tools; research grant recipient from Apollo Endosurgery; GC declares to be: consultant for and food and beverage compensation from Cook Medical, Boston Scientific and Olympus; ES declares to be: lecturer or consultant for Takeda, Janssen, Abbvie, MSD, Sofar, Malesci, Sandoz, Reckitt Benckiser and Medtronic; board member for Frasenius Kabi and BMS; research grant recipient from Unifarco, Sila and Sofar.

There is a natural feeling between our intestinal flora and the gut. These microorganisms, living in the various tracts of human intestine, may affect the host homeostasis. Some of these bacteria can perhaps be a source of infection and sepsis when the bowel barrier is physically or functionally breached. The term 'probiotic' dates from the beginning of the last century and in the last years a market for probiotics worldwide, estimated to be worth billions of pounds, has developed. Although there is persuasive advertising for probiotics and there have been methodological advances in the study of the intestinal microbiota, much remains unproven, e.g. how probiotics work, which strains are effective, what can be expected to be achieved, and what dosage is required for effectiveness. This review of the literature is an evidence-based guide through the developing microbial universe affecting our life., (2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.)