Background: Omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have modulating effects in several ... more Background: Omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have modulating effects in several chronic infl amma- tory conditions. The aim of the present study was to test whether prior short-term dietary supplementation with n-3 (fi sh or seal oil) or n-6 (soy oil) PUFA rich oils would protect the development of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in rats. Methods: Forty-eight male Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups: no intervention, sham, DSS, seal oil + DSS, fi sh oil + DSS and soy oil + DSS. Following 7 days of acclimatisation, 1 mL oil (seal, fi sh or soy) or distilled water (sham) was administered by gavage day 8 to 14. Colitis was induced by 5% DSS in drinking water from day 15 to 21. Rats were sacri- fi ced on day 23. Histological colitis (crypt and infl ammation) scores, faecal granulocyte marker protein (GMP) and quan- titative fatty acid composition in red blood cells were measured. Results: Pretreatment with fi sh or seal oils did not signifi cantly infl u...
We investigated the effect of prior acute stress on colonic permeability induced by a chemical ir... more We investigated the effect of prior acute stress on colonic permeability induced by a chemical irritant known to induce symptoms similar to inflammatory bowel disease in rodents. Adult male rats (n = 12) were stressed by a single session of ten unpredictable, uncontrollable foot shocks, and half were home cage controls (n = 12). Twenty-nine days later, half of each treatment group was exposed to 4% DSS (dextran sulphate sodium) solution in their drinking water for 48 hours while half received pure water over two periods separated by 17 days. After food deprivation overnight and light isoflurane anaesthesia the following morning, the animals were given a colonic infusion of 2000 nCi (nanocurie) 51CrEDTA (51Cr-labelled ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) and then placed individually in metabolic cages for a six hours continuous urine collection. Radioactivity in urine was measured by a gamma counter and percentage recovery of 51CrEDTA calculated as an indicator of colonic mucosal permeability. Results concluded that pre-shocked animals exposed to DSS showed significantly higher mucosal permeability than the pre-shocked animals given water, and the non-shocked animals given either DSS or water. Pre-shock in combination with two exposures to a chemical irritant separated by 17 days had a pronounced effect on colonic permeability, indicating that stress should be considered a possible initiating or contributory factor to increased intestinal permeability related to a mucosal challenge.
Background: Oral ferrous iron therapy may reinforce intestinal inflammation. One possible mechani... more Background: Oral ferrous iron therapy may reinforce intestinal inflammation. One possible mechanism is by catalyzing the production of reactive oxygen species. We studied the effects of low-dose oral ferrous fumarate on intestinal inflammation and plasma redox status in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in rats.
Patients with food hypersensitivity suffer poor quality of life and several unexplained health co... more Patients with food hypersensitivity suffer poor quality of life and several unexplained health complaints, both abdominal and extra-abdominal. Part of the suffering is due to healthcare providers' neglect and poor insight, allowing a strong position for alternative medicine. Distinguishing food allergy from functional and organic disorders can be extremely difficult. We have found examination of faecal calprotectin and gut permeability to be useful for excluding organic disease, whilst conventional provocation tests for positive diagnosis of food hypersensitivity are cumbersome. Our new ultrasound provocation test has been promising, but we acknowledge that much work remains to be done before its sensitivity and specificity can be finally established. The majority of patients with self-reported food hypersensitivity have a non-allergic hypersensitivity disorder. We suggest that cognitive-emotional sensitisation at the brain level, and not peripheral (immunological) sensitisation, is a major pathogenetic mechanism by which the patients' various abdominal and extra-abdominal health complaints are generated. Extensive activation of cognitive networks might be triggered by peripheral sensory mechanisms, often misinterpreted as 'food allergy'. Clearly, the approach to patients with food hypersensitivity should be interdisciplinary.
Conclusion: No significant differences in the two treatment groups were seen; in both groups, the... more Conclusion: No significant differences in the two treatment groups were seen; in both groups, the changes in several joint pain parameters, leucotriene B 4 level of plasma, and serum fatty acid profile were putatively favourable. ª
Background: Abdominal complaints related to food intake might be due to hypersensitivity. A firm ... more Background: Abdominal complaints related to food intake might be due to hypersensitivity. A firm diagnosis of food allergy is often difficult to establish, particularly in the absence of systemic food-specific IgE. Using ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) we were able to visualise the intestinal response in one such case. Methods: A 24-year-old female presented with self-reported food hypersensitivity, particularly
Background/Aim: Subjective food hypersensitivity is prevalent in the general population. The aim ... more Background/Aim: Subjective food hypersensitivity is prevalent in the general population. The aim of this study was to seek objective evidence of food hypersensitivity by analyzing intestinal permeability and inflammation markers in gut lavage fluid. Methods: Fifty-two patients with abdominal complaints self-attributed to food hypersensitivity were examined by skin prick test, serum IgE analysis, double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge (DBPCFC), and intestinal
The aim of this study was to investigate quality of life and applicability of the 10-item short f... more The aim of this study was to investigate quality of life and applicability of the 10-item short form of the Nepean Dyspepsia Index (SF-NDI) in patients with subjective food hypersensitivity. Fifty-two adult patients and 120 controls were examined using three questionnaires: Quality of life Nepean Dyspepsia Index (NDI), Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS), and Ulcer Esophagitis Subjective Symptoms Scale (UESS).
A high dietary intake of n-6 compared to n-3 fatty acids (FAs) may promote the production of pro-... more A high dietary intake of n-6 compared to n-3 fatty acids (FAs) may promote the production of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids and cytokines. In two recent studies, short-term (10-day) duodenal administration of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid rich seal oil ameliorated joint pain in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Using unpublished data from these two studies we here investigated whether normalisation of the n-6 to n-3 FA ratio in blood and tissues by seal oil administration was associated with improved health related quality of life (HRQOL) as assessed by the generic short-form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire. In the first pilot study, baseline n-6 to n-3 FA ratio in rectal mucosal biopsies from 10 patients with IBD (9 of those had joint pain) was significantly increased compared with that in 10 control patients without IBD or joint pain. Following seal oil administration, the n-6 to n-3 FA ratio of the IBD-patients was significantly lowered to the level seen in untreated contro...
Perceived food hypersensitivity is much more common than food allergy as medically verified. Unex... more Perceived food hypersensitivity is much more common than food allergy as medically verified. Unexplained symptoms and wrong attribution are typical in subjective health complaints. We hypothesize that subjective health complaints and worries are abnormally prevalent among patients with subjective food hypersensitivity. Forty-six patients with subjective food hypersensitivity and two control groups, one formed by 50 health care workers and one by 70 sex- and age-matched volunteers from the general population, were included in our study. All filled in two questionnaires: Subjective Health Complaints Inventory and Modern Health Worries Scale. None of the patients had IgE-mediated food allergy. The patients scored significantly higher than the controls on sum scores for four domains of subjective health complaints, including gastrointestinal complaints (P < 0.001), musculoskeletal complaints (P < 0.01), "pseudoneurology" (P < 0.001), and allergy (P < 0.001). Sum sc...
European journal of ultrasound : official journal of the European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology, 2002
Objective assessment of adverse reactions to food is a long-felt want. We report our preliminary ... more Objective assessment of adverse reactions to food is a long-felt want. We report our preliminary experience with a new endosonographic allergen provocation test. Twenty patients were examined, seven patients having food allergy and 13 having food intolerance. The duodenal mucosa was challenged with allergen extracts via a nasoduodenal tube. The responses were recorded using a miniprobe for endosonography through the tube. Thereafter, intestinal lavage was performed by giving 2 l PEG solution containing micro Ci (51)CrEDTA. The gut lavage fluid and urine for 5 h were collected. Increased mucosal thickness in response to provocation was recorded in 11 patients, but not more often or pronounced in the allergic than in the intolerance group. Interestingly, increased mucosal thickness associated with a new echogenic layer was seen in two patients and a sustained duodenal contraction, lasting 15-20 min associated with pain, in another two. Intestinal permeability and inflammatory mediator...
Background: Omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have modulating effects in several ... more Background: Omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have modulating effects in several chronic infl amma- tory conditions. The aim of the present study was to test whether prior short-term dietary supplementation with n-3 (fi sh or seal oil) or n-6 (soy oil) PUFA rich oils would protect the development of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in rats. Methods: Forty-eight male Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups: no intervention, sham, DSS, seal oil + DSS, fi sh oil + DSS and soy oil + DSS. Following 7 days of acclimatisation, 1 mL oil (seal, fi sh or soy) or distilled water (sham) was administered by gavage day 8 to 14. Colitis was induced by 5% DSS in drinking water from day 15 to 21. Rats were sacri- fi ced on day 23. Histological colitis (crypt and infl ammation) scores, faecal granulocyte marker protein (GMP) and quan- titative fatty acid composition in red blood cells were measured. Results: Pretreatment with fi sh or seal oils did not signifi cantly infl u...
Objective . Owing to lack of objective measures, the diagnosis of food hypersensitivity may be di... more Objective . Owing to lack of objective measures, the diagnosis of food hypersensitivity may be difficult. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the intestinal response to direct provocation in patients with food hypersensitivity could be recognized by ultrasound. Material and methods . Thirty-two patients with chronic abdominal complaints, selfattributed to food hypersensitivity/allergy were included in the study. Via a nasoduodenal tube, the duodenal mucosa was challenged with the suspected food item dissolved in 10 ml water or saline. Using external ultrasound, the sonographic features (wall thickness and diameter of the duodenal bulb and jejunum, peristalsis activity and luminal fluid) were recorded before and during one hour after challenge. Results . Sonographic changes were observed after challenge in 14 (44%) of the 32 patients. A positive sonographic response (increased wall thickness, diameter, peristalsis and/or luminal fluid) was significantly related to a positive skin prick test (p0/0.008) and a positive double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge (p0/0.03). A significant correlation was found between provocation-induced symptoms and wall thickness of the duodenal bulb (r0/0.50, p 0/0.004) or the jejunum (r0/0.42, p 0/0.02). Intra-and interobserver variation of the tracing procedure showed low values. Conclusions . Responses of the proximal small intestines to direct provocation (swelling of the wall and exudation of fluid into the lumen) could be visualized by transabdominal ultrasound. This new provocation test could be helpful in the evaluation of patients with food hypersensitivity.
Patients with food hypersensitivity suffer poor quality of life and several unexplained health co... more Patients with food hypersensitivity suffer poor quality of life and several unexplained health complaints, both abdominal and extra-abdominal. Part of the suffering is due to healthcare providers&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; neglect and poor insight, allowing a strong position for alternative medicine. Distinguishing food allergy from functional and organic disorders can be extremely difficult. We have found examination of faecal calprotectin and gut permeability to be useful for excluding organic disease, whilst conventional provocation tests for positive diagnosis of food hypersensitivity are cumbersome. Our new ultrasound provocation test has been promising, but we acknowledge that much work remains to be done before its sensitivity and specificity can be finally established. The majority of patients with self-reported food hypersensitivity have a non-allergic hypersensitivity disorder. We suggest that cognitive-emotional sensitisation at the brain level, and not peripheral (immunological) sensitisation, is a major pathogenetic mechanism by which the patients&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; various abdominal and extra-abdominal health complaints are generated. Extensive activation of cognitive networks might be triggered by peripheral sensory mechanisms, often misinterpreted as &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;food allergy&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;. Clearly, the approach to patients with food hypersensitivity should be interdisciplinary.
Long-chain n-3 PUFA in fish oil have modulating effects on inflammatory responses. The aim of thi... more Long-chain n-3 PUFA in fish oil have modulating effects on inflammatory responses. The aim of this open pilot study was to investigate whether duodenal seal oil administration would benefit patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Seal oil (10 mL) was administered three times a day directly into the distal part of the duodenum via a nasoduodenal feeding tube for 10 d in 10 patients, 5 of whom had Crohn&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s disease and 5 ulcerative colitis. Nine of the 10 patients suffered from IBD-associated joint pain. Various parameters of disease activity and FA incorporation in tissues were analyzed before and after treatment. Following seal oil therapy, joint pain index, disease activity, and serum cholesterol level were significantly decreased, whereas the n-3 to n-6 ratio both in intestinal biopsies and blood was significantly increased. Measures of calprotectin concentration in gut lavage fluid, intestinal permeability, and lipid peroxidation were not significantly changed. The results suggest positive effects of seal oil in patients with IBD, especially on IBD-associated joint pain. Further controlled studies are warranted.
We investigated the effect of prior acute stress on colonic permeability induced by a chemical ir... more We investigated the effect of prior acute stress on colonic permeability induced by a chemical irritant known to induce symptoms similar to inflammatory bowel disease in rodents. Adult male rats (n = 12) were stressed by a single session of ten unpredictable, uncontrollable foot shocks, and half were home cage controls (n = 12). Twenty-nine days later, half of each treatment group was exposed to 4% DSS (dextran sulphate sodium) solution in their drinking water for 48 hours while half received pure water over two periods separated by 17 days. After food deprivation overnight and light isoflurane anaesthesia the following morning, the animals were given a colonic infusion of 2000 nCi (nanocurie) 51CrEDTA (51Cr-labelled ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) and then placed individually in metabolic cages for a six hours continuous urine collection. Radioactivity in urine was measured by a gamma counter and percentage recovery of 51CrEDTA calculated as an indicator of colonic mucosal permeability. Results concluded that pre-shocked animals exposed to DSS showed significantly higher mucosal permeability than the pre-shocked animals given water, and the non-shocked animals given either DSS or water. Pre-shock in combination with two exposures to a chemical irritant separated by 17 days had a pronounced effect on colonic permeability, indicating that stress should be considered a possible initiating or contributory factor to increased intestinal permeability related to a mucosal challenge.
Background: Oral ferrous iron therapy may reinforce intestinal inflammation. One possible mechani... more Background: Oral ferrous iron therapy may reinforce intestinal inflammation. One possible mechanism is by catalyzing the production of reactive oxygen species. We studied the effects of low-dose oral ferrous fumarate on intestinal inflammation and plasma redox status in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in rats.
Background: Omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have modulating effects in several ... more Background: Omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have modulating effects in several chronic infl amma- tory conditions. The aim of the present study was to test whether prior short-term dietary supplementation with n-3 (fi sh or seal oil) or n-6 (soy oil) PUFA rich oils would protect the development of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in rats. Methods: Forty-eight male Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups: no intervention, sham, DSS, seal oil + DSS, fi sh oil + DSS and soy oil + DSS. Following 7 days of acclimatisation, 1 mL oil (seal, fi sh or soy) or distilled water (sham) was administered by gavage day 8 to 14. Colitis was induced by 5% DSS in drinking water from day 15 to 21. Rats were sacri- fi ced on day 23. Histological colitis (crypt and infl ammation) scores, faecal granulocyte marker protein (GMP) and quan- titative fatty acid composition in red blood cells were measured. Results: Pretreatment with fi sh or seal oils did not signifi cantly infl u...
We investigated the effect of prior acute stress on colonic permeability induced by a chemical ir... more We investigated the effect of prior acute stress on colonic permeability induced by a chemical irritant known to induce symptoms similar to inflammatory bowel disease in rodents. Adult male rats (n = 12) were stressed by a single session of ten unpredictable, uncontrollable foot shocks, and half were home cage controls (n = 12). Twenty-nine days later, half of each treatment group was exposed to 4% DSS (dextran sulphate sodium) solution in their drinking water for 48 hours while half received pure water over two periods separated by 17 days. After food deprivation overnight and light isoflurane anaesthesia the following morning, the animals were given a colonic infusion of 2000 nCi (nanocurie) 51CrEDTA (51Cr-labelled ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) and then placed individually in metabolic cages for a six hours continuous urine collection. Radioactivity in urine was measured by a gamma counter and percentage recovery of 51CrEDTA calculated as an indicator of colonic mucosal permeability. Results concluded that pre-shocked animals exposed to DSS showed significantly higher mucosal permeability than the pre-shocked animals given water, and the non-shocked animals given either DSS or water. Pre-shock in combination with two exposures to a chemical irritant separated by 17 days had a pronounced effect on colonic permeability, indicating that stress should be considered a possible initiating or contributory factor to increased intestinal permeability related to a mucosal challenge.
Background: Oral ferrous iron therapy may reinforce intestinal inflammation. One possible mechani... more Background: Oral ferrous iron therapy may reinforce intestinal inflammation. One possible mechanism is by catalyzing the production of reactive oxygen species. We studied the effects of low-dose oral ferrous fumarate on intestinal inflammation and plasma redox status in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in rats.
Patients with food hypersensitivity suffer poor quality of life and several unexplained health co... more Patients with food hypersensitivity suffer poor quality of life and several unexplained health complaints, both abdominal and extra-abdominal. Part of the suffering is due to healthcare providers&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; neglect and poor insight, allowing a strong position for alternative medicine. Distinguishing food allergy from functional and organic disorders can be extremely difficult. We have found examination of faecal calprotectin and gut permeability to be useful for excluding organic disease, whilst conventional provocation tests for positive diagnosis of food hypersensitivity are cumbersome. Our new ultrasound provocation test has been promising, but we acknowledge that much work remains to be done before its sensitivity and specificity can be finally established. The majority of patients with self-reported food hypersensitivity have a non-allergic hypersensitivity disorder. We suggest that cognitive-emotional sensitisation at the brain level, and not peripheral (immunological) sensitisation, is a major pathogenetic mechanism by which the patients&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; various abdominal and extra-abdominal health complaints are generated. Extensive activation of cognitive networks might be triggered by peripheral sensory mechanisms, often misinterpreted as &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;food allergy&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;. Clearly, the approach to patients with food hypersensitivity should be interdisciplinary.
Conclusion: No significant differences in the two treatment groups were seen; in both groups, the... more Conclusion: No significant differences in the two treatment groups were seen; in both groups, the changes in several joint pain parameters, leucotriene B 4 level of plasma, and serum fatty acid profile were putatively favourable. ª
Background: Abdominal complaints related to food intake might be due to hypersensitivity. A firm ... more Background: Abdominal complaints related to food intake might be due to hypersensitivity. A firm diagnosis of food allergy is often difficult to establish, particularly in the absence of systemic food-specific IgE. Using ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) we were able to visualise the intestinal response in one such case. Methods: A 24-year-old female presented with self-reported food hypersensitivity, particularly
Background/Aim: Subjective food hypersensitivity is prevalent in the general population. The aim ... more Background/Aim: Subjective food hypersensitivity is prevalent in the general population. The aim of this study was to seek objective evidence of food hypersensitivity by analyzing intestinal permeability and inflammation markers in gut lavage fluid. Methods: Fifty-two patients with abdominal complaints self-attributed to food hypersensitivity were examined by skin prick test, serum IgE analysis, double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge (DBPCFC), and intestinal
The aim of this study was to investigate quality of life and applicability of the 10-item short f... more The aim of this study was to investigate quality of life and applicability of the 10-item short form of the Nepean Dyspepsia Index (SF-NDI) in patients with subjective food hypersensitivity. Fifty-two adult patients and 120 controls were examined using three questionnaires: Quality of life Nepean Dyspepsia Index (NDI), Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS), and Ulcer Esophagitis Subjective Symptoms Scale (UESS).
A high dietary intake of n-6 compared to n-3 fatty acids (FAs) may promote the production of pro-... more A high dietary intake of n-6 compared to n-3 fatty acids (FAs) may promote the production of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids and cytokines. In two recent studies, short-term (10-day) duodenal administration of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid rich seal oil ameliorated joint pain in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Using unpublished data from these two studies we here investigated whether normalisation of the n-6 to n-3 FA ratio in blood and tissues by seal oil administration was associated with improved health related quality of life (HRQOL) as assessed by the generic short-form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire. In the first pilot study, baseline n-6 to n-3 FA ratio in rectal mucosal biopsies from 10 patients with IBD (9 of those had joint pain) was significantly increased compared with that in 10 control patients without IBD or joint pain. Following seal oil administration, the n-6 to n-3 FA ratio of the IBD-patients was significantly lowered to the level seen in untreated contro...
Perceived food hypersensitivity is much more common than food allergy as medically verified. Unex... more Perceived food hypersensitivity is much more common than food allergy as medically verified. Unexplained symptoms and wrong attribution are typical in subjective health complaints. We hypothesize that subjective health complaints and worries are abnormally prevalent among patients with subjective food hypersensitivity. Forty-six patients with subjective food hypersensitivity and two control groups, one formed by 50 health care workers and one by 70 sex- and age-matched volunteers from the general population, were included in our study. All filled in two questionnaires: Subjective Health Complaints Inventory and Modern Health Worries Scale. None of the patients had IgE-mediated food allergy. The patients scored significantly higher than the controls on sum scores for four domains of subjective health complaints, including gastrointestinal complaints (P < 0.001), musculoskeletal complaints (P < 0.01), "pseudoneurology" (P < 0.001), and allergy (P < 0.001). Sum sc...
European journal of ultrasound : official journal of the European Federation of Societies for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology, 2002
Objective assessment of adverse reactions to food is a long-felt want. We report our preliminary ... more Objective assessment of adverse reactions to food is a long-felt want. We report our preliminary experience with a new endosonographic allergen provocation test. Twenty patients were examined, seven patients having food allergy and 13 having food intolerance. The duodenal mucosa was challenged with allergen extracts via a nasoduodenal tube. The responses were recorded using a miniprobe for endosonography through the tube. Thereafter, intestinal lavage was performed by giving 2 l PEG solution containing micro Ci (51)CrEDTA. The gut lavage fluid and urine for 5 h were collected. Increased mucosal thickness in response to provocation was recorded in 11 patients, but not more often or pronounced in the allergic than in the intolerance group. Interestingly, increased mucosal thickness associated with a new echogenic layer was seen in two patients and a sustained duodenal contraction, lasting 15-20 min associated with pain, in another two. Intestinal permeability and inflammatory mediator...
Background: Omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have modulating effects in several ... more Background: Omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have modulating effects in several chronic infl amma- tory conditions. The aim of the present study was to test whether prior short-term dietary supplementation with n-3 (fi sh or seal oil) or n-6 (soy oil) PUFA rich oils would protect the development of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in rats. Methods: Forty-eight male Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups: no intervention, sham, DSS, seal oil + DSS, fi sh oil + DSS and soy oil + DSS. Following 7 days of acclimatisation, 1 mL oil (seal, fi sh or soy) or distilled water (sham) was administered by gavage day 8 to 14. Colitis was induced by 5% DSS in drinking water from day 15 to 21. Rats were sacri- fi ced on day 23. Histological colitis (crypt and infl ammation) scores, faecal granulocyte marker protein (GMP) and quan- titative fatty acid composition in red blood cells were measured. Results: Pretreatment with fi sh or seal oils did not signifi cantly infl u...
Objective . Owing to lack of objective measures, the diagnosis of food hypersensitivity may be di... more Objective . Owing to lack of objective measures, the diagnosis of food hypersensitivity may be difficult. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the intestinal response to direct provocation in patients with food hypersensitivity could be recognized by ultrasound. Material and methods . Thirty-two patients with chronic abdominal complaints, selfattributed to food hypersensitivity/allergy were included in the study. Via a nasoduodenal tube, the duodenal mucosa was challenged with the suspected food item dissolved in 10 ml water or saline. Using external ultrasound, the sonographic features (wall thickness and diameter of the duodenal bulb and jejunum, peristalsis activity and luminal fluid) were recorded before and during one hour after challenge. Results . Sonographic changes were observed after challenge in 14 (44%) of the 32 patients. A positive sonographic response (increased wall thickness, diameter, peristalsis and/or luminal fluid) was significantly related to a positive skin prick test (p0/0.008) and a positive double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge (p0/0.03). A significant correlation was found between provocation-induced symptoms and wall thickness of the duodenal bulb (r0/0.50, p 0/0.004) or the jejunum (r0/0.42, p 0/0.02). Intra-and interobserver variation of the tracing procedure showed low values. Conclusions . Responses of the proximal small intestines to direct provocation (swelling of the wall and exudation of fluid into the lumen) could be visualized by transabdominal ultrasound. This new provocation test could be helpful in the evaluation of patients with food hypersensitivity.
Patients with food hypersensitivity suffer poor quality of life and several unexplained health co... more Patients with food hypersensitivity suffer poor quality of life and several unexplained health complaints, both abdominal and extra-abdominal. Part of the suffering is due to healthcare providers&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; neglect and poor insight, allowing a strong position for alternative medicine. Distinguishing food allergy from functional and organic disorders can be extremely difficult. We have found examination of faecal calprotectin and gut permeability to be useful for excluding organic disease, whilst conventional provocation tests for positive diagnosis of food hypersensitivity are cumbersome. Our new ultrasound provocation test has been promising, but we acknowledge that much work remains to be done before its sensitivity and specificity can be finally established. The majority of patients with self-reported food hypersensitivity have a non-allergic hypersensitivity disorder. We suggest that cognitive-emotional sensitisation at the brain level, and not peripheral (immunological) sensitisation, is a major pathogenetic mechanism by which the patients&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; various abdominal and extra-abdominal health complaints are generated. Extensive activation of cognitive networks might be triggered by peripheral sensory mechanisms, often misinterpreted as &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;food allergy&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;. Clearly, the approach to patients with food hypersensitivity should be interdisciplinary.
Long-chain n-3 PUFA in fish oil have modulating effects on inflammatory responses. The aim of thi... more Long-chain n-3 PUFA in fish oil have modulating effects on inflammatory responses. The aim of this open pilot study was to investigate whether duodenal seal oil administration would benefit patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Seal oil (10 mL) was administered three times a day directly into the distal part of the duodenum via a nasoduodenal feeding tube for 10 d in 10 patients, 5 of whom had Crohn&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;s disease and 5 ulcerative colitis. Nine of the 10 patients suffered from IBD-associated joint pain. Various parameters of disease activity and FA incorporation in tissues were analyzed before and after treatment. Following seal oil therapy, joint pain index, disease activity, and serum cholesterol level were significantly decreased, whereas the n-3 to n-6 ratio both in intestinal biopsies and blood was significantly increased. Measures of calprotectin concentration in gut lavage fluid, intestinal permeability, and lipid peroxidation were not significantly changed. The results suggest positive effects of seal oil in patients with IBD, especially on IBD-associated joint pain. Further controlled studies are warranted.
We investigated the effect of prior acute stress on colonic permeability induced by a chemical ir... more We investigated the effect of prior acute stress on colonic permeability induced by a chemical irritant known to induce symptoms similar to inflammatory bowel disease in rodents. Adult male rats (n = 12) were stressed by a single session of ten unpredictable, uncontrollable foot shocks, and half were home cage controls (n = 12). Twenty-nine days later, half of each treatment group was exposed to 4% DSS (dextran sulphate sodium) solution in their drinking water for 48 hours while half received pure water over two periods separated by 17 days. After food deprivation overnight and light isoflurane anaesthesia the following morning, the animals were given a colonic infusion of 2000 nCi (nanocurie) 51CrEDTA (51Cr-labelled ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) and then placed individually in metabolic cages for a six hours continuous urine collection. Radioactivity in urine was measured by a gamma counter and percentage recovery of 51CrEDTA calculated as an indicator of colonic mucosal permeability. Results concluded that pre-shocked animals exposed to DSS showed significantly higher mucosal permeability than the pre-shocked animals given water, and the non-shocked animals given either DSS or water. Pre-shock in combination with two exposures to a chemical irritant separated by 17 days had a pronounced effect on colonic permeability, indicating that stress should be considered a possible initiating or contributory factor to increased intestinal permeability related to a mucosal challenge.
Background: Oral ferrous iron therapy may reinforce intestinal inflammation. One possible mechani... more Background: Oral ferrous iron therapy may reinforce intestinal inflammation. One possible mechanism is by catalyzing the production of reactive oxygen species. We studied the effects of low-dose oral ferrous fumarate on intestinal inflammation and plasma redox status in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in rats.
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