Takanori Kuramoto

Comparative study of conventional colonoscopy and pan-colonic narrow-band imaging system in the detection of neoplastic colonic polyps: a randomized, controlled trial.

Background. Detection and removal of adenomas by colonoscopy is an important means for preventing cancer; however, small adenomas may be missed during colonoscopy. The narrow-band imaging (NBI) system clearly enhances the microvasculature in neoplastic lesions, making it appear as a dark complex. Therefore, the NBI system may improve the detection of colonic neoplasias. However, no randomized, controlled trials have evaluated the efficacy of a pan-colonic NBI system in adenoma detection. We conducted a randomized, controlled trial to determine the efficacy of the pancolonic NBI system in adenoma detection. Methods. Two hundred forty-three patients were randomized, 121 to conventional colonoscopy and 122 to pan-colonic NBI system. Demographics, indication for colonoscopy, and quality of preparation were similar between groups. Results. Extubation time was not significantly different between the conventional colonoscopy and pan-colonic NBI system. The proportions of patients with at least one adenoma and those with multiple adenomas were not significantly different between groups. However, the pan-colonic NBI system significantly increased the total number of adenomas detected (P < 0.05) and the number of diminutive (<5 mm) adenomas detected (P < 0.05). The pan-colonic NBI system allowed detection of more diminutive adenomas in the distal colon than did conventional colonoscopy (P < 0.01), and more patients in the NBI group had at least one diminutive adenoma than in the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusions. The pan-colonic NBI system improves the total number of adenomas detected, including significantly more diminutive adenomas, without prolongation of extubation time. These results indicate that routine use of the NBI system for surveillance of diminutive adenomas may be recommended.

In vivo trial of a driving system for a self-propelling capsule endoscope using a magnetic field (with video).

BACKGROUND A capsule endoscope does not allow the examiner to observe a lesion from the desired direction in real time. OBJECTIVE To develop a driving system for a self-propelling capsule endoscope (SPCE) by using a magnetic field. SETTING Experimental endoscopic study in a live dog model. DESIGN AND INTERVENTIONS A microactuator was developed with the aim of remote-control operation. We developed a driving system for SPCE by attaching a capsule endoscope to this medical microactuator and performed the following experiments. (1) We operated this SPCE by remote control in the stomach of a dog under sedation and obtained endoscopic images using a real-time monitoring system only. (2) We placed a hemostatic clip on the gastric mucosa and recorded images of this clip with the SPCE. (3) We also placed clips at 2 other sites in the stomach and asked the SPCE operator, who was unaware of the location of the clips, to identify the site, number, and color of the clips. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS Evaluation of performance of a driving system for SPCE. RESULTS The operator was able to obtain endoscopic images with the SPCE in the stomach of a dog in vivo, in any desired direction, by remote control. SPCE produced clear images of the clips placed in the stomach. The operator was able to easily identify the site, number, and color of the clips. LIMITATIONS Animal model. CONCLUSIONS Our trial suggests the possibility of clinical application of the driving system for an SPCE using a magnetic field.

Simvastatin Attenuates Intestinal Fibrosis Independent of the Anti-Inflammatory Effect by Promoting Fibroblast/Myofibroblast Apoptosis in the Regeneration/Healing Process from TNBS-Induced Colitis

BackgroundIntestinal deformity and stenosis are induced by fibrosis during the process healing of intestinal chronic inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Potent anti-inflammatory treatment of patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) may induce fibrous stenosis, and this is often difficult to treat in clinical practice. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a treatment strategy that concomitantly exhibits repair/regenerative and anti-fibrotic effects, in addition to the current anti-inflammatory effect, for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases. However, the relationship between the course of inflammatory activity and the healing process and fibrogenesis has not been elucidated; although the complex involvement of various factors in the mechanism of biological fibrosis has been investigated. Simvastatin (SIMV), an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects. The current study established a model of the regeneration/healing process from TNBS-induced colitis and investigated the anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects of SIMV.Subjects and MethodsFour groups of TNBS-induced colitis model were prepared using male SJL/J mice: A: Normal control group, B: control group, and C and D: treatment groups. The mucosal healing process was classified into three phases (an early phase: inflammation period, a mid-phase: regeneration promoting period, and a late phase: regeneration-converging period), and inflammation, the expression of fibrosis-related growth factors, and induction of apoptosis of fibrosis-related cells were compared in each period.Results(1) The clinical findings showed that SIMV showed anti-inflammatory effects with body weight gain and improvement of epithelial injury in the late phase. Histological (macroscopic/microscopic) improvement was noted in the mid- and late phases. The inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α) level significantly decreased in the mid- and late phases in the high-dose treatment group. (2) SIMV also had anti-fibrotic effects characterized by a dose-dependent decrease in the level of a fibrosis-related growth factor (CTGF) in the early and mid-phases, irrespective of inflammation or changes in the TGF-β1 level. Dose-dependent induction of apoptosis was noted in both fibroblasts and myofibroblasts from a relatively early stage.ConclusionsThe results suggested that SIMV induces anti-fibrotic activity that is not directly involved in the anti-inflammatory effect from a relatively early stage the healing process of TNBS-induced colitis.

Evaluation of Portal Hypertensive Enteropathy by Scoring with Capsule Endoscopy: Is Transient Elastography of Clinical Impact?

There is limited data about the mucosal lesions of portal hypertensive enteropathy (PHE) detected by capsule endoscopy, and there is no scoring system to evaluate their severity. Our aim is to create a reliable scoring system for PHE, and to explore the possible usefulness of using transient elastograhy (TE) in that field. We compared the medical records of 31 patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension with 29 control patients. We found that the mucosal lesions compatible with PHE were significantly more common in cirrhotic patients than in control patients (67.7% vs 6.9%, p<0.001). Cirrhotic patients with high TE score (p = 0.018), high Child-Pugh grade, large esophageal varices (EV), portal hypertensive gastropathy, and history of endoscopic variceal injection sclerotherapy or ligation (EIS/EVL) were significantly associated with PHE. Using our scoring system, we found that patients with higher TE score (p = 0.004), high Child-Pugh score (p = 0.011), larger EV (p = 0.006), and prior EIS/EVL (p = 0.006) were significantly associated with higher PHE score. We concluded that using our scoring system might be helpful in grading PHE severity, and TE might be a new non-invasive method for detecting the presence and severity of PHE in cirrhotic patients.

Preventive effect of irsogladine or omeprazole on non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced esophagitis, peptic ulcers, and small intestinal lesions in humans, a prospective randomized controlled study

BackgroundProton-pump inhibitors such as omeprazole are a standard treatment to prevent non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced upper gastrointestinal mucosal injuries. However, it is unclear which drugs may protect against all NSAID-induced digestive-tract injuries. Here, we compare the efficacy of the gastromucoprotective drug irsogladine with omeprazole in preventing NSAID-induced esophagitis, peptic ulcers, and small-intestinal mucosal injury in healthy subjects.MethodsThirty-two healthy volunteers were assigned to an irsogladine group (Group I; n = 16) receiving diclofenac sodium 75 mg and irsogladine 4 mg daily for 14 days, or an omeprazole group (Group O; n = 16) receiving diclofenac sodium 75 mg and omeprazole 10 mg daily for 14 days. Esophagitis and peptic ulcers were evaluated by esophagogastroduodenoscopy and small-intestinal injuries by capsule endoscopy, fecal calprotectin, and fecal occult blood before and after treatment.ResultsThere was no significant difference between Group I and Group O with respect to the change in lesion score in the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum before and after treatment.NSAID treatment significantly increased the number of small intestinal mucosal breaks per subject by capsule endoscopic evaluation, from a basal level of 0.1 ± 0.3 up to 1.9 ± 2.0 lesions in Group O (p = 0.0002). In contrast, there were no significant changes in the mean number of mucosal breaks before and after co-treatment in Group I (0.3 ± 0.8 to 0.5 ± 0.7, p = 0.62), and the between-group difference was significant (p = 0.0040). Fecal calprotectin concentration, when the concentration before treatment was defined as 1, was significantly increased both in Group O (from 1.0 ± 0.0 to 18.1 ± 37.1, p = 0.0002) and Group I (from 1.0 ± 0.0 to 6.0 ± 11.1, p = 0.0280); the degree of increase in Group O was significantly higher compared with that in Group I (p<0.05). In addition, fecal occult blood levels increased significantly in Group O (p = 0.0018), but there was no change in Group I (p = 1.0), and the between-group difference was significant (p = 0.0031).ConclusionIrsogladine protected against NSAID-induced mucosal injuries throughout the gastrointestinal tract, from esophagus to small intestine, significantly better than omeprazole.Trial registrationThis study was registered in the UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (Registry ID number; UMIN000008114)

Usefulness of polyethylene glycol solution with dimethylpolysiloxanes for bowel preparation before capsule endoscopy.

Background and Aim:  Capsule endoscopy (CE) is widely used for diagnosing small intestinal diseases. In some cases, however, observation of target sites is very poor during CE because of residues etc. Herein we report the usefulness of a preparation comprised of polyethylene glycol solution (PEG) for CE.

The effects of a TGR5 agonist and a dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitor on dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in mice

Luminal nutrients stimulate enteroendocrine L cells to release gut hormones, including intestinotrophic glucagon‐like peptide‐2 (GLP‐2). Because L cells express the bile acid receptor TGR5 and dipeptidyl peptidase‐IV (DPPIV) rapidly degrades GLPs, we hypothesized that luminal TGR5 activation may attenuate intestinal injury via GLP‐2 release, which is enhanced by DPPIV inhibition.

Clinical effects of adalimumab treatment with concomitant azathioprine in Japanese Crohn's disease patients.

AIM To assess adalimumabs efficacy with concomitant azathioprine (AZA) for induction and maintenance of clinical remission in Japanese Crohns disease (CD) patients. METHODS This retrospective, observational, single-center study enrolled 28 consecutive CD patients treated with adalimumab (ADA). Mean age and mean disease duration were 38.1 ± 11.8 years and 11.8 ± 10.1 years, respectively. The baseline mean Crohns disease activity index (CDAI) and C-reactive protein were 177.8 ± 82.0 and 0.70 ± 0.83 mg/dL, respectively. Twelve of these patients also received a concomitant stable dose of AZA. ADA was subcutaneously administered: 160 mg at week 0, 80 mg at week 2, followed by 40 mg every other week. Clinical response and remission rates were assessed via CDAI and C-reactive protein for 24 wk. RESULTS The mean CDAI at weeks 2, 4, 8, and 24 was 124.4, 120.2, 123.6, and 135.1, respectively. The CDAI was significantly decreased at weeks 2 and 4 with ADA and was significantly suppressed at 24 wk with ADA/AZA. Overall clinical remission rates at weeks 4 and 24 were 66.7% and 63.2%, respectively. Although no statistically significant difference in C-reactive protein was demonstrated, ADA with AZA resulted in a greater statistically significant improvement in CDAI at 24 wk, compared to ADA alone. CONCLUSION Scheduled ADA with concomitant AZA may be more effective for clinical remission achievement at 24 wk in Japanese Crohns disease patients.

Primary CD56+ NK/T-cell lymphoma of the rectum accompanied with refractory ulcerative colitis.

A case of primary NK/T-cell lymphoma of the rectum accompanied with ulcerative colitis (UC) in a 73-year-old man is reported. He had a 6-year history of repeated admission to our hospital for UC. Total colonoscopy performed 4 months after resolution of refractory UC complicated by cytomegalovirus colitis showed a markedly submucosal tumor in the rectum, which was histologically diagnosed as malignant lymphoma. The findings of computed tomography of the chest and abdomen, gallium scintigraphy, abdominal ultrasonography, and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed no abnormal lesions. Therefore, based on a diagnosis of localized rectal lymphoma with UC, proctocolectomy was performed. The resected specimen showed three submucosal tumors in the rectum with local nodal involvement. Histologically, the tumors were characterized by diffusely infiltrating sheets of large atypical lymphoid cells, which were negative for CD4, CD8, and CD20 but were positive for CD56, CD3, and granzyme B. The presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection in neoplastic cells was shown by in situ hybridization for EBV-encoded early small RNA1 (EBER-1). Based on these findings, the patient was diagnosed with primary CD56+ NK/T-cell lymphoma of the rectum (stage IIE). This is the first case report of primary rectal NK/T-cell lymphoma accompanied with UC.

Endoscopic and Histopathological Evaluation of Collagenous Colitis

Collagenous colitis (CC) is a well-known cause of chronic non-bloody diarrhea, especially in elderly women. CC is characterized histopathologically by an increase in the thickness of the subepithelial collagen layer to at least 10 µm, epithelial damage, and chronic inflammation of the lamina propria. Generally, the colonic mucosa in CC is macroscopically normal, although minor, non-specific abnormalities may be found. Due to the recent advancement of endoscopic and diagnostic technologies, however, microscopic mucosal abnormalities and specific longitudinal linear lacerations of the mucosa characteristic of CC have been identified. The association of CC with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and proton pump inhibitors has also been reported. Since definitive diagnosis of CC has to rely on pathologically documented collagen bands and mononuclear infiltration, the efficiency and precision of colonic biopsy need to be improved. Of the 29 CC patients that we have encountered at our institution, it was in 15 of 29 cases that the endoscopic finding that we performed a biopsy on was apparent. Our comparison of the endoscopic and histopathological findings of CC in the 15 patients showed that the mucosa frequently appeared coarse and nodular on the surface of the mucosa, which was also significantly thicker in collagen bands, demonstrating a strong correlation between collagen band formation and CC. Also, the coarse and nodular surface of the mucosa was most frequently seen affecting the proximal colon. The results suggest that endoscopic observation and biopsy of the proximal colon, where a coarse and nodular surface of the mucosa is often found, may be useful for confirmation of the diagnosis in patients with suspected CC.