S. J. Kirk

The dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) model of colitis: an overview

The dextran sulphate sodium model of colitis has demonstrated several correlations with human inflammatory bowel disease and is deemed suitable for investigating pathogenesis, therapeutic options and the dysplasia–adenocarcinoma sequence of inflammatory bowel disease. It is widely applicable to mice, rats, hamsters and guinea pigs. This review explores the features of this model and identifies areas for further research studies.

Novel Substrates to Maintain Gut Integrity

CONTENTS INTRODUCTION . . 4 4 EVIDENCE FOR G U T MUCOSAL BARRIER DYSFUNCTION . . 4 4 CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF G U T MUCOSAL BARRIER DYSFUNCTION . . 46 GUT DERIVED SEPSIS: THERAPEUTIC STRATEGIES. . . 41 NOVEL SUBSTRATES A N D G U T INTEGRITY . . 48 GLUTAMINE . . 48 Metabolism of glutamine . . 48 Glutamine and the gut mucosa . . 48 Glutamine and experimental disease models . . * 49 Glutamine supplemented TPN and experimental disease models . . . 49 Glutamine supplemented enteral nutrition and experimental disease models . . 49 Rationale for clinical use of glutamine . . . 50

Mucosal barrier function and the commensal flora

We read with interest the article by Garcia-Lafuente et al ( Gut 2001; 48 :503–7). Their results demonstrate that strains of endemic gut bacteria can affect gut mucosal barrier function, as measured by intestinal permeability, and that the effect may be potentially beneficial or harmful depending on the specific bacterial strains administered. These findings help to explain and corroborate the interesting findings that have been emerging from clinical and experimental studies investigating the use of probiotics in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It is known that development of colonic inflammation in genetic models of IBD is dependent on the presence of intestinal bacteria. In human studies, an imbalance …

Belly button piercings: a saving grace? A patent urachus presenting in a 17-year-old girl.

We report the case of a 17-year-old girl who presented to the accident and emergency department with dysuria and foul smelling, bloody discharge from her umbilicus. The definitive diagnosis was that of a patent urachus, which is a fistulous communication between the bladder and the umbilicus, usually diagnosed in early infancy. The incidence of a patent urachus is approximately 1 in 70 000 in the general population. It is highly likely that removal of a recent belly button piercing resulted in the acute presentation by completing the fistulous tract to the skin. This case is of clinical relevance as the diagnosis was missed 18 months prior with a milder presentation. The recommended treatment option is surgical excision due to the potential risk of malignant change, with urachal adenocarcinoma accounting for 0.3% of all bladder cancers.