Search

Backgrounds: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) can be associated with vascular calcification in patients undergoing dialysis through hypomagnesemia. However, only few studies have demonstrated the influence of PPIs on vascular calcification in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (HD). This study aimed to investigate whether the use of PPIs accelerates vascular calcification in patients on HD. Materials and methods: We retrospectively evaluated 200 HD patients who underwent regular blood tests and computed tomography (CT) between 2016 and 2017. The abdominal aortic calcification index (ACI) was measured using abdominal CT. The difference in the ACI values between 2016 and 2017 was evaluated as ΔACI. Patients were divided into PPI and non-PPI groups, and variables, such as patient background, medication, laboratory data, and ΔACI were compared. Factors independently associated with higher ΔACI progression (≥ third tertile value of ΔACI in this study) were determined using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: The PPI and non-PPI groups had 112 (56%) and 88 (44%) patients, respectively. Median and third tertile value of ΔACIs were 4.2% and 5.8%, respectively. Serum magnesium was significantly lower in the PPI (2.1 mg/dL) than in the non-PPI (2.3 mg/dL) group (P <0.001). Median ΔACI was significantly higher in the PPI (5.0%) than in the non-PPI (3.8%) group (P = 0.009). A total of 77 (39%) patients had a higher ΔACI. Multivariate analysis revealed that PPIs (odds ratio = 2.23; 95% confidence interval = 1.11–4.49), annual mean calcium phosphorus product, ACI in 2016, baseline serum magnesium levels, and HD vintage were independent factors associated with higher ΔACI progression after adjusting for confounders. Conclusion: PPI use may accelerate vascular calcification in patients on HD. Further studies are necessary to elucidate their influence on vascular calcification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Chronic inflammation of long-term ulcerative colitis contributes to an increased risk of colon cancer. Few studies address whether extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) intake suppresses inflammation, cell proliferation and signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT) in the experimental colitis model. The aim of this study was to assess whether a 5% EVOO suppressed inflammation, increased cell proliferation and the expressions of STAT3 and STAT3 phosphorylation (pSTAT3) in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Rats were administered DSS via drinking water (weight percentage: 4%) for 1 week with a 1-week recovery period for three cycles. Rats were divided into three groups: control group, standard diet without DSS; DSS group, standard diet+DSS; and DSS+EVOO group, EVOO diet (weight percentage: 5%)+DSS. Rats were sacrificed 5 weeks after DSS was first administered, and colonic damage was histologically and biochemically evaluated. As a result, chronic feeding of 5% EVOO attenuated inflammation. This was evaluated using a disease activity index, body weight loss and a histological score. Enhanced expressions of STAT3, pSTAT3, COX-2 and iNOS by DSS was attenuated by EVOO. In addition, EVOO attenuated increases in cell proliferation (PCNA) caused by DSS and recovered decreases in apoptosis (cleaved caspase-3). In conclusion, the study indicated that chronic feeding of 5% EVOO inhibited chronic inflammation in DSS-induced colitis in rats and also attenuated cell proliferation and recovered apoptosis in DSS colitis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background/Aims: The prevalence of endoscopic esophagitis in young Japanese individuals is not fully apparent. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of reflux esophagitis (RE) and Helicobacter pylori infection and their relationship in young healthy Japanese volunteers. Methods: Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed in 242 young healthy Japanese medical students (age range 22-29 years, mean 23.2 years) at Saga Medical School between 2008 and 2010. H. pylori infection was determined by detecting urinary IgG antibodies to H. pylori. Results:H. pylori antibodies were detected in 30 of the 242 subjects (12.4%). All 30 subjects had endoscopic chronic gastritis without peptic ulcers. Endoscopic RE was present in 27 of the 242 subjects (11.2%), corresponding to grade A in 19 subjects (7.9%), grade B in 7 (2.9%) and grade C in 1 (0.4%). Only 1 subject with RE was H. pylori-positive; the other 26 subjects with esophagitis were H. pylori-negative. We found no risk factors for H. pylori infection, but a risk factor for endoscopic esophagitis was alcohol consumption. Conclusion: The prevalence of H. pylori infection and endoscopic RE was 12.4 and 11.2%, respectively, in young healthy Japanese volunteers. Alcohol consumption was a risk factor for RE. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]