A multicenter double-blind controlled trial comparing lidamidine HCl and loperamide in the symptomatic treatment of acute diarrhoea

The efficacy of 1-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-3-methyl-amidinourea hydrochloride (lidamidine HCl, WHR-1142 A) an aryl-substituted amidinourea recently synthesized, was compared with that of loperamide in 32 patients with acute diarrhoea. The results of the study show that lidamidine HCl and loperamide had comparable effects in the pharmacological treatment of acute non-specific diarrhoea. Lidamidine HCl was also shown to be well tolerated; side-effects were generally minor and self-limiting.

Gluten specific suppressor T cell dysfunction in coeliac disease

A T lymphocyte direct migration inhibition factor test has been used to investigate the function of the specific suppressor T cell population controlling the immune response to gluten in coeliac disease. The test has been carried out in 21 adult coeliac patients, 22 Mantoux- healthy controls and eight Mantoux+ donors using gluten fraction III and purified protein derivative, as antigens. All coeliacs, but two, were Mantoux-. When gluten fraction III was used a significant migration inhibition was observed in coeliac patients compared to controls; such migration inhibition was abrogated by coculturing in a 1:1 ratio coeliac T cells with T cells from controls or Mantoux+ donors. On the contrary, the addition to coeliac T cells of T lymphocytes from other coeliacs did not abolish migration inhibition to gluten. Pretreatment of normal T cells with mitomycin C prevented their abrogating activity on migration inhibition of coeliac T lymphocytes. When purified protein derivative was used as antigen a significant migration inhibition was observed in Mantoux+ donors compared with healthy subjects and such migration inhibition was abolished by co-culturing T cells from Mantoux+ donors with those from Mantoux- controls and coeliac patients. Our results show that coeliac T cells, while retaining their ability to suppress the immune response to purified protein derivative, cannot suppress the immune response to gluten and are consistent with the hypothesis that a gluten specific suppressor T cell dysfunction, rather than a generalised T lymphocyte defect, may play a role in the pathogenesis of coeliac disease.

Ageing and small-bowel mucosa: a morphometric study

A direct effect of ageing in reducing mucosal surface area of the small intestine is still disputed. The aim of this study was to morphometrically evaluate a panel of jejunal biopsy specimens obtained from 16 elderly patients and 22 younger controls, all complaining of abdominal symptoms but without evidence of malabsorption and/or malnutrition in either group. Quantitative histology was performed by calculating the surface area to volume ratio of jejunal mucosa and the mean enterocyte height. The mean of surface to volume ratios in geriatric patients (97.6 +/- 18), although slightly reduced, did not significantly differ from that of younger controls (107.6 +/- 26) and no significant correlation was found between surface to volume ratio and age in years. The mean enterocyte height in the elderly group (30.1 +/- 1.2 microns) did not significantly differ from that of younger controls (31.3 +/- 2.3 microns). In conclusion, the frequent finding of malnutrition due to malabsorption in the elderly should not be attributed to a reduction of jejunal surface area as a mere consequence of age.

DR and non-DR Ia allotypes are associated with susceptibility to coeliac disease

We have studied the frequency of HLA-DR, -MT, and -MB antigens in adult patients with coeliac disease and in a group of healthy controls, evaluating the strength of the observed associations by measuring the aetiologic fractions. Among the antigens significantly associated with coeliac disease, MB2 (DQw2) showed an aetiologic fraction higher than those of DR3 and DR7. Our results suggest that MB2, as associated more frequently than other specificities with a hypothetical disease predisposing gene, may play a role in the pathogenesis of coeliac disease. The significant association of DR3 and DR7 with coeliac disease may be ascribed to linkage disequilibrium of these antigens with MB2.

Quantitative assessment of the mucosal architecture of jejunal biopsy specimens: a comparison between linear measurement, stereology, and computer aided microscopy

Fifty jejunal biopsy specimens obtained from normal subjects and from untreated and treated patients with coeliac disease were assessed blindly by three independent observers, each of them using different morphometric techniques-namely, linear measurement, stereology, and computer aided microscopy. In two of 26 control biopsy specimens linear measurement was not possible because of distortion of villi. Highly significant (p less than 0.001) correlation coefficients were found between the different techniques. With all methods significant differences between controls and patients with coeliac disease and between treated and untreated coeliac patients were found. Only by stereology, however, was there no overlap between results for patients and those for controls. In view of the limitations of linear measurement and the high cost and complexity of computer aided microscopy, we propose that a simple stereological technique using an eyepiece graticule is the method of choice in the quantitative assessment of mucosal architecture in jejunal biopsy specimens.

Can antigliadin antibody detect symptomless coeliac disease in children with short stature?

Duodenal biopsy and tests for antigliadin antibodies were done in 108 children with short stature unassociated with gastrointestinal symptoms. Other investigations for causes of growth failure were also carried out. In 88 patients, the cause of short stature could not be determined (group I). In 9 patients (8.3%) biopsy showed total villous atrophy, indicating probable coeliac disease (group II), while 7 patients had mild partial villous atrophy (group III). 4 patients (3.7%) had complete growth hormone deficiency. Antigliadin antibodies detected by immunofluorescence (IFL-AGA) were positive in 8 of the 9 group II patients. Symptomless coeliac disease is therefore a commoner cause of short stature than is hypopituitarism; by use of the IFL-AGA test it is possible to select patients for biopsy, thereby identifying most of the coeliac patients. If duodenal biopsies had been limited to IFL-AGA positive patients, 18 biopsies would have been carried out and coeliac disease would have been diagnosed in 8 of the 9 patients.

Specificity of leucocyte migration inhibition test in coeliac disease. A reassessment using different gluten subfractions

Production of leucocyte migration inhibition factor by peripheral blood leucocytes in response to challenge with gluten fractions has been proposed as a reliable in vitro test for the diagnosis of coeliac disease. We have performed the leucocyte migration inhibition test with two different gluten fractions, GFIII and B2, in untreated and treated coeliac patients, patients with other intestinal diseases (abnormal controls) and healthy controls, and evaluated the sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictability of the test for the diagnosis of coeliac disease. Using GFIII as antigen leucocyte migration was significantly inhibited, compared to healthy controls, not only in treated and untreated coeliacs but also in abnormal controls. Using B2 gluten subfraction as antigen only treated coeliacs and abnormal controls differed significantly from healthy controls. The elevated number of abnormal controls showing migration inhibition consistently affected the diagnostic value of the test, which did not vary using B2 subfraction instead of GFIII as antigen. Our study confirms previous observations of gluten sensitization, as detected by leucocyte migration inhibition, in coeliac patients but strongly questions the claim that coeliac disease can be diagnosed on the basis of a positive leucocyte migration inhibition test without the need for intestinal biopsy.

Return of splenic function after splenectomy: how much tissue is needed?

Ninety patients whose spleen had been removed either because of trauma (41 cases) or as an elective procedure (49) were investigated for return of splenic function by counting pitted red cells and examining spleen scans made after injection of heat damaged 99mTc labelled red cells. There was no significant difference in the proportion of pitted red cells between the two groups of patients. Evidence of splenic tissue in scintiscans was not invariably associated with low pitted red cell values, suggesting that the presence of splenic tissue did not necessarily mean return of splenic function. In every patient whose proportion of pitted red cells was less than 16.2% the scintiscan showed splenic uptake. The proportion of patients with pitted red cell values below 16.2% was significantly higher in the group operated on for trauma, and it is concluded that this was due to splenosis. A high inverse correlation between pitted red cell counts and computed splenic volumes was found. Patients with pitted red cell values of less than 16.2% had computed volumes of 22-133 cm3; below this range the proportion of pitted red cells rose very sharply. These results confirm that splenosis occurs in adults, though less often than in children, and suggest that when splenic tissue is to be implanted a graft of at least 20-30 cm3 is needed to ensure satisfactory return of splenic function.

Jejunal intraepithelial lymphocytes in coeliac disease: are they increased or decreased?

We have quantified intraepithelial lymphocytes in the same biopsy series (21 healthy controls, 14 untreated coeliacs, 15 treated coeliacs, five non-coeliac patients with an abnormal jejunal mucosa) both as counts/100 epithelial cells and using as reference value a fixed area of muscularis mucosae. As expected, the number of intraepithelial lymphocytes/100 epithelial cells was significantly higher in untreated and treated coeliacs than in healthy controls, as well as in untreated when compared with treated coeliac patients. Otherwise, the number of intraepithelial lymphocytes lying in the area of mucosal surface overlying a fixed area of muscularis mucosae was significantly lower in treated and untreated coeliacs, than in healthy controls, as well as in untreated when compared with treated coeliacs. A highly significant inverse correlation was found between the number of intraepithelial lymphocytes/100 epithelial cells and the mucosal surface area measured as surface to volume ratio. When the number of intraepithelial lymphocytes/100 epithelial cells was corrected for differences in surface to volume ratio, the results were very similar to those obtained by a muscularis mucosae related count. In five coeliacs both intraepithelial lymphocyte and enterocyte muscularis mucosae related counts rose after a period of gluten free diet but the mean per cent increase of enterocytes was significantly higher than that of lymphocytes. Our results are compatible with a decrease in the total number of intraepithelial lymphocytes in the entire small bowel in coeliac disease. In untreated coeliac mucosae, however, a derangement in the usual proportions of intraepithelial lymphocytes and enterocytes is evident and may be important in the pathogenesis of coeliac disease.

Short stature and celiac disease: a relationship to consider even in patients with no gastrointestinal tract symptoms

To determine the incidence of celiac disease in a group of nonselected children with short stature, duodenal biopsy was performed in 60 unselected children with short stature (below third centile) and absence of gastrointestinal tract symptoms. Examination revealed probable celiac disease in five children (8.3%). Analysis of the results of other tests that might possibly be considered as alternatives to biopsy (e.g., xylose test, antireticulin antibodies, gastrointestinal tract symptoms in the first two years of life, bone age, serum iron, iron load, triglyceride load) led us to conclude that no test or clinical measurement could have allowed us 100% certainty in making the correct diagnosis. None of the children with celiac disease had growth hormone deficiency. We conclude that asymptomatic celiac disease represents a cause of short stature that cannot be ignored, and that only by intestinal biopsy can all such patients be identified.

T-lymphocyte subsets in adult coeliac disease

1. As a defect of suppressor function has been hypothesized in the pathogenesis of coeliac disease, we measured, by monoclonal antibodies, the inducer/suppressor T-cell ratio in adult coeliac disease. 2. No statistical difference was observed between coeliac patients and healthy controls, irrespective of treatment and HLA status. 3. These results do not show an imbalance in the inducer/suppressor T-cell ratio in coeliac disease.

Effect of gluten-free diet on splenic hypofunction of adult coeliac disease

Splenic function has been serially measured by counting pitted red cells in 15 coeliac patients, before and during a gluten-free diet. The basal percentage values of pitted cells decreased significantly during treatment but no correlation was observed between the duration of the gluten-free diet and the percentage of recovery of splenic function over basal values. Out of six coeliacs with pitted cell values consistent with splenic hypofunction, three showed a total recovery after gluten withdrawal. Our data suggest that, contrary to recent reports, hyposplenism in adult coeliac disease is improved by a gluten-free diet, and that environmental factors may be important in determining and maintaining this complication.

Observer variation in assessment of jejunal biopsy specimens. A comparison between subjective criteria and morphometric measurement

in an observer variation study, the agreement rate reached by a pair of observers who measured 85 jejunal biopsy specimens using surface/volume ratio was compared with that reached by a pair of observers who subjectively assessed the same biopsy series. Both the agreement reached between the subjective observers and that reached between the objective observers proved significant by kappa statistics. However, both total and partial kappa values were greater for the pair of objective observers in every diagnostic category. Moreover, the percentage of agreement on the grading of all biopsy specimens, independent of the diagnostic categories, proved significantly higher for the objective observers. In the pair who made a qualitative assessment, interobserver variation was particularly evident in the grading of partial villous atrophy. Contrastingly, in the pair who made a quantitative assessment, agreement was present in all but one slide. The kappa values for the observers examining the same biopsy specimens on two separate occasions indicated closer agreement rates for the two objective observers. It is concluded that morphometric measurement is more reliable than subjective criteria in the assessment of jejunal biopsy specimens and that qualitative assessment of biopsy specimens should be coupled with quantitative histology.

Splenic function in childhood coeliac disease

We measured splenic function using a simple, non-isotopic method in childhood coeliac disease. No patients were shown to have hyposplenism. This has important clinical and therapeutic implications.

HLA-B13 and chronic calcific pancreatitis

In view of a possible role of genetic factors in the etiology of chronic calcific pancreatitis, we undertook a study of the frequency of HLA antigens in this disease. Sixty-four patients with chronic calcific pancreatitis were typed for the HLA-A, -B and -C loci. Fourteen of these 64 patients (21.9%) were found to have antigen B13 compared to 7.5% of 425 controls. These results have a P value of 0.00059 which remains significant (P = 0.020) even when multiplied by the total number of antigens tested. Sex, alcoholism, age at the clinical onset of the disease, presence of pain, and diabetes had no apparent influence on the distribution of HLA alleles. The significant association between chronic calcific pancreatitis and HLA antigen B13 further supports the role of genetic factors in the etiology of the disease.

In vitro diagnosis of coeliac disease: an assessment

Jejunal biopsies from controls and coeliac patients were maintained in organ culture for up to 48 hours. The in vitro effect of gluten fraction III during the period of culture was assessed by measurement of the activity of the brush border enzymes alkaline phosphatase and alpha-glucosidase. Mucosa from controls and treated and untreated coeliacs behaved similarly and no reproducible in vitro effect of gluten was demonstrated. These results cast doubt on the in vitro diagnosis of coeliac disease by monitoring brush border enzyme activity.

Comparison between neomycin and lactulose in 173 patients with hepatic encephalopathy: a randomized clinical study

A randomized study was performed in order to compare the course of hepatic encephalopathy in patients treated with neomycin plus magnesium sulfate or with lactulose. Admission criteria were: morphological diagnosis of cirrhosis and absence of comorbidity, of contraindications to drugs, or of previous treatments which could influence the outcome. The treatment groups were similar in terms of clinical characteristics, fatalities, recovery rate from grade 1 encephalopathy, and disappearance rate of neuropsychiatric signs. Transitions from severe to grade 1 or 0 encephalopathy showed a 0.17 (NS) difference in favor of neomycin. Early therapy and evidence of precipitating factors showed a favorable prognostic significance. Ascites, hyperbilirubinemia, poor nutritional state, and hypoprothrombinemia showed bad prognostic significance. This is the first large-scale investigation on hepatic encephalopathy. It demonstrated a similar effectiveness of the two drugs in grade 1 encephalopathy and provides a basis for drug selection in the current management of the syndrome.

Gluten sensitivity of small intestinal mucosa in vitro: quantitative assessment of histologic change

In view of the importance to the patient of demonstrating mucosal sensitivity to gluten we have quantitated morphologic change during organ culture of small bowel mucosa by measuring enterocyte height. In 27 normal controls the mean preculture enterocyte height was 28.3 micrometer +/- 1.8 (+/- 1 SD), decreasing to 25.6 micrometer +/- 1.9 and 26.1 micrometer +/- 2.0 after 24 h culture in the absence and presence of gluten, respectively. Both these decreases were significant (p < 0.001), but there was no difference between culture with or without gluten. In 9 abnormal controls, the mean preculture enterocyte height was 27.0 micrometer +/- 2.7, decreasing significantly (p < 0.05) to 24.5 micrometer +/- 1.1 after 24 h culture without gluten, and to 25.4 micrometer +/- 2.3 with gluten (NS). In 17 untreated celiac patients, the mean preculture enterocyte height was 19.6 micrometer +/- 1.9 increasing significantly to 23.8 micrometer +/- 2.0 (p < 0.001) after 24 h culture without gluten but decreasing to 18.7 micrometer +/- 3.1 after 24 h culture with gluten (NS). There was a significant difference between culture with or without gluten (p < 0.001). In 21 treated celiac patients, the mean preculture enterocyte height was 28.1 micrometer +/- 1.9 decreasing to 25.4 micrometer +/- 2.0 and 24.2 +/- 1.9 in the absence and presence of gluten, respectively. Both these decreases were significant (p < 0.001), but more importantly there was a significant decrease (p < 0.001) after culture with gluten compared with culture without gluten. These data indicate that it is possible to quantify morphologic change during organ culture and to demonstrate gluten-sensitivity not only in untreated, but also in treated celiac mucosa. These studies have important implications as regards the diagnosis and further investigation of the etiology of celiac disease.

Simple method of assessing splenic function in coeliac disease

1. Erythrocytes with membrane abnormalities seen on interference contrast microscopy ('pitted erythrocytes') were counted in venous blood samples from patients with treated coeliac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis, and from control subjects and patients who had had an elective splenectomy. 2. The percentage of 'pitted erythrocytes' was compared with the 99mTc-labelled heat-damaged erythrocyte clearance, and with the splenic size computed from scintiscans. 3. There was a significant correlation between percentage 'pitted erythrocytes' and the above methods of measuring splenic function and size. Increase in the percentage of 'pitted erythrocytes' above the control range indicated splenic hypofunction. 4. The number of coeliac patients with percentage 'pitted erythrocytes' above the control range increased with increasing age at which they started a gluten-free diet. 5. Counting of 'pitted erythrocytes' is a simple and sensitive method of assessing splenic hypofunction in treated coeliac disease. It avoids radiation exposure, and is applicable to all ages and repeatable without risk. 6. The incidence of splenic hypofunction in coeliac patients may be related to the duration of untreated disease.

Cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP levels in human colonic mucosa before and during chenodeoxycholic acid therapy

Previous experimental studies suggest that bile salt-induced colonic fluid secretion is mediated by adenosine 3':5'-phosphate (cyclic AMP). Two biopsy specimens of colonic mucosa were obtained endoscopically before and after different periods of therapy (five, 10, or 15 days), from each of 21 patients receiving chenodeoxycholic acid. A rise of cyclic AMP intracellular levels was found, but only after five and 10 days of treatment was the increase statistically significant when compared with basal levels. Similar changes were observed for guanosine 3':5'-phosphate (cyclic GMP), but percentage increases were higher than for cyclic AMP. Initial diarrhoea disappeared spontaneously, and at 15 days the levels of both cyclic nucleotides were not significantly different from basal levels. Our findings suggest that colonic adaptation to increase in luminal bile salt levels is related to changes in intracellular levels of cyclic nucleotides and support the hypothesis that not only cyclic AMP, but also cyclic GMP may play an important role in producing bile salt-induced diarrhoea in man.