Gastrointestinal disorders inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) encompasses both Crohn s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Both disorders are associated with inflammation of various regions within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Differences exist between UC and CD with regard to the regions of the GI tract that may be affected as well as in the distribution and depth of inflammation. Some... 

Keywords Colon cancer functional dyspepsia functional gastrointestinal disorders gastroesophageal reflux disease Helicobacter pylori infection inflammatory bowel disease irritable bowel syndrome liver transplantation pharmacogenetics. 

Inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis and Crohn s disease) is a general term for a group of chronic inflammatory disorders of unknown cause involving the gastrointestinal tract. Despite many attempts to confirm an infectious agent as the cause of disease, no bacterial. 

Inflammatory bowel disease is divided into two major gastrointestinal disorders ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn s disease. Both diseases are chronic and tend to be characterized by periods of exacerbations and remissions. Major differences between UC and Crohn s disease are differentiated by anatomic location and distribution. UC occurs in the colon and rectum, whereas Crohn s disease can occur throughout the gastrointestinal tract. UC tends to be continuous, diffuse, and mucosal Crohn s appears segmental, focal, and transmural. Fissures, strictures, abdominal masses, and pain are commonly associated with Crohn s. Classical symptoms of UC include chronic diarrhea with tenesmus, rectal bleeding, and abdominal pain. 

Gastrointestinal disorders (gastrectomy, malabsorption syndromes, inflammatory bowel disease, sprue)... 

SemBioSys Genetics Inc. (Calgary, Canada), in addition to insulin and apoHpopro-tein AI, demonstrated a proof-of-concept for proteins addressing osteoporosis, pulmonary and Hver fibrosis, psoriasis and gastrointestinal disorders. Plantigen Inc. (London, Canada) has proof of principle for several products under development Those include glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) for the treatment of type 1 diabetes interleukin-10 (IL-10) for treatment of inflammatory bowel disease interleukin-4 (IL-4) for use as adjuvant to enhance immune response and major histocompati-ble complex (MHG) and cytokines for use in organ transplants. 

The inadequate intake of riboflavin seems to be the main cause for the deficiency of this vitamin, being common in populations whose diet lack dairy products and meat, and in anorexic individuals. Digestion and intestinal absorption disorders are other causes of disability, as observed in individuals with lactose intolerance, tropical sprue, coeliac disease and intestinal resection, as well as gastrointestinal and biliary obstruction. Other disorders such as diarrhoea, infectious enteritis and irritable bowel syndrome can cause poor absorption by increasing intestinal motility. Riboflavin deficiency also occurs in conditions such as chronic alcoholism, diabetes mellitus and inflammatory bowel diseases. 

Aside from their utility for the treatment of multiple skin manifestations, psoralens and UVA radiation could be used as a therapeutic alternative for several immune-mediated disorders as Crohn s disease and ulcerative colitis. Both are chronic inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and are collectively known as inflammatory bowel disease. This disorder is produced by a dysfunction of the immtme system that leads to the accumulation of abtmdant lymphocytes and monocytes in the mucosa of the bowel, together with the secretion of cytokines and proinflammatory mediators. There are several genetic, environmental, and physiological factors that contribute to the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease [151]. 

Cat s claw has long been used in South America as an anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, and contraceptive agent. It is also traditionally used to treat gastrointestinal ulcers, tumors, gonorrhea, dysentery, various skin problems, cancers of the female genitourinary tract, and intestinal disorders. Native South Americans use cat s claw to cleanse the kidneys and treat bone pain. Some Europeans report that it is useful in the treatment of AIDS when used in combination with zidovudine (AZT). The purported usefulness of cat s claw tea in the treatment of diverticulitis, hemorrhoids, peptic ulcer disease, colitis, parasites, and leaky bowel syndrome have fueled demand for the bark in the U.S. 

Inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract discharge mucus, serum proteins, and blood into the gut. Sometimes bowel movements consist only of mucus, exudate, and blood. Exudative diarrhea probably affects other absorptive, secretory, or motility functions to account for the large stool volume associated with this disorder. 

---