Tamaki Ikuse

Increased mucosal expression of GATA-3 and STAT-4 in pediatric ulcerative colitis

Background:  Serum pro‐inflammatory cytokine levels are frequently elevated in the acute phase of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Because the role of pro‐inflammatory cytokine in the acute phase of pediatric IBD has not been well investigated, the serum levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and the expression of Th1 and Th2 signaling molecules in mucosa from the acute phase of pediatric IBD were examined.

ω-3 fatty acids attenuate mucosal inflammation in premature rat pups.

BACKGROUND Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a devastating intestinal disease of premature infants. Although ω-3 fatty acids are known to have antiinflammatory effects, their effect against NEC remains unclear. METHODS Mother rats fed a soybean-based, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)- or eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)-enriched diet from days 7 to 20 of gestation were examined. On day 20, the rat pups were delivered by abdominal incision, their intestines were removed, and messenger RNA was extracted. A rat NEC model was used to confirm the effects of ω-3 fatty acids on the inflamed intestine (n = 20-28). The expression of inflammatory molecules was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (n = 11-14). RESULTS The concentrations of DHA and EPA in the intestine were significantly increased in the DHA and EPA groups (P < .01). The expression of the antiinflammatory prostaglandin E2 receptor EP3 was increased in the DHA (P < .05) and EPA groups (P < .01). In the NEC model, the reduced incidence of colitis was confirmed in the DHA and EPA groups. The expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ was increased (P < .05), and the inhibitor of nuclear factor-κB α/β decreased in both the DHA (P < .01) and EPA groups (P < .05). CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that ω-3 fatty acids are beneficial for protecting the premature intestine from inflammation by regulating eicosanoid- and nuclear factor-κB-related metabolite expression.

Effects of Bifidobacterium breve on inflammatory gene expression in neonatal and weaning rat intestine

Introduction:To examine the immune-modulatory effects of probiotics during early infancy, Bifidobacterium breve M-16V (B. breve) was administered to rat pups during the newborn or weaning period, and the expression of inflammatory genes was investigated using a cDNA microarray and real-time PCR.Results:After B. breve administration, significant increases in the numbers of Bifidobacterium in both the cecum and colon were confirmed during the newborn period. The numbers of upregulated and downregulated genes were greater during the weaning period than in the newborn period and were greatest in the colon, with fewer genes altered in the small intestine and the fewest in the spleen. The expression of inflammation-related genes, including lipoprotein lipase (Lpl), glutathione peroxidase 2 (Gpx2), and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (Lbp), was significantly reduced in the colon during the newborn period. In weaning rat pups, the expression of CD3d, a cell surface receptor–linked signaling molecule, was significantly enhanced in the colon; however, the expression of co-stimulatory molecules was not enhanced.Discussion:Our findings support a possible role for B. breve in mediating anti-inflammatory and antiallergic reactions by modulating the expression of inflammatory molecules during the newborn period and by regulating the expression of co-stimulatory molecules during the weaning period.Methods:Gene expression in the intestine was investigated after feeding 5×108 cfu of B. breve every day to the F344/Du rat from days 1 to 14 (newborn group) and from days 21 to 34 (weaning group). mRNA was extracted from intestine, and the expression of inflammatory gene was analyzed by microarray and real-time PCR.

Monitoring 6-thioguanine nucleotide concentrations in Japanese children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease.

Background and Aim:  6‐Mercaptopurine (6‐MP) and azathioprine (AZA) are widely used as maintenance therapy in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, proper 6‐thioguanine nucleotide (6‐TGN) concentrations in Japanese children with IBD have not been reported.

Comparison of Gene Expression Between Pediatric and Adult Gastric Mucosa with Helicobacter pylori Infection

Although Helicobacter pylori infection among adults is a major risk factor for the development of gastric cancer and initial infection with H. pylori may occur before 5 years of age, the direct effects of H. pylori infection since childhood on gastric mucosa are unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate gene expression in the H. pylori‐infected gastric mucosa of children.

Microarray analysis of gastric mucosa among children with Helicobacter pylori infection.

Background:  Although initial infection with Helicobacter pylori may occur before 5 years of age, the pediatric mucosal immune response against H. pylori is not clear. The aim of the present study was to evaluate immune responses in the H. pylori‐infected gastric mucosa of children using microarray and real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of pediatric gastric samples.

Analysis of inflammatory signals in Japanese children with Crohn's disease

Although it is recognized that the Th1 and Th17 cytokines are directly involved in the pathogenesis of Crohns disease (CD), the precise cause of pediatric CD in the Japanese population has not been well established. In the present study, we examined the expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and their signaling molecules in the intestinal mucosa of Japanese children with acute‐ and remission‐phase CD.

Spontaneous shrinkage of a solid pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas : CT findings

A 13-year-old boy was referred to a local emergency department with upper abdominal pain and nausea after being hit in the abdomen with a soccer ball. Serum amylase was 901 IU/L, and serum lipase was 690 IU/L. Ultrasonography showed a clearly demarcated hypovascular round mass approximately 50 mm in diameter in the head of the pancreas. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a partially enhanced encapsulated mass with cystic components and calcification, and there was no evidence of invasion to the surrounding organs or vessels Correspondence: Mitsuyoshi Suzuki, MD, PhD, Department of Pediatrics, Juntendo University School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyoku, Tokyo 113 8421, Japan. Email: f-mitsuo@zc5.so-net.ne.jp Received 25 April 2009; revised 7 October 2009; accepted 30 November 2009.

Assessment of the Family History of Patients With Ulcerative Colitis at a Single Center in Japan

Objectives: The prevalence of ulcerative colitis (UC) differs by country, which is likely due to differences in genetic factors among ethnicities. Moreover, the prevalence of pediatric UC with a family history (FH) is 4.1% in Japanese patients; its clinical course begins at an early age and is more severe. Recently, a genome-wide association study identified 3 new susceptibility loci for adult Japanese patients with UC. Methods: To assess the effects of FH in patients with UC, 60 children were enrolled. Age at diagnosis, clinical features of the initial symptoms, and family structure were assessed in patients with and without an FH. The 3 new loci were examined in patients who provided informed consent. Results: Of the patients with UC, 10 (16.7%) had an FH involving first-degree relatives, including 7 mothers, 1 father, and 2 sisters. There was a trend toward a younger age at onset in the positive FH group. There were, however, no significant differences in the clinical characteristics of the patients regardless of FH. From the genomic analyses, there were significant differences in the polymorphisms of the solute carrier family 26, member 3 (SLC26A3) between those with and without an FH. Conclusions: Although the etiology of UC remains unknown, there were no observed relation between clinical symptoms and FH. SLC26A3 may, however, contribute to the pathogenesis of UC in Japanese individuals with an FH.

Increased expression of CXCR3 axis components and matrix metalloproteinase in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease patients.

Although pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by extensive intestinal involvement and rapid early progression, the precise cause and specific factors involved in disease aggravation have not been well established. The aim of this study was to investigate the pathogenesis of pediatric IBD.