IgG subclass-containing cells in the human large bowel of normal controls, non-IBD colitis, and ulcerative colitis

Modulating Effect of Paeonol on Piglets With Ulcerative Colitis

Piglet enteritis is a major problem that needs to be solved urgently in modern pig production. Paeonol (Pae) has been used as a novel treatment option due to its good medicinal value. This study purported to elucidate the regulatory mechanism of Pae on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) in weaned piglets. A total of 36 crossbred (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) weaned piglets were stochastically split into six groups: the control group, DSS group, 0.2% Pae group, 0.4% Pae group, 0.8% Pae group, and mesalazine group. The control and DSS groups were fed with a basic diet, the three Pae and mesalazine groups were fed with 0.2, 0.4, 0.8%, and 2 g mesalazine per kilogram of basic diet throughout the study. On the 15th day of the test period, the control group was gavaged with 10 ml of normal saline, while the remaining five groups were gavaged with 10 ml 5% DSS solution for 13 days. The study lasted for 27 days. The results showed that the 0.8% Pae group significantly increased the average daily feed intake (ADFI) and Occludin mRNA expression in the colon of piglets (P < 0.05). The 0.2% Pae group markedly increased the average daily gain (ADG) and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) mRNA expression (P < 0.05). In the 0.2% and 0.4% Pae groups, the feed-to-gain ratio (F/G) was significantly reduced and the mRNA expression levels of Caspase-8, respectively, markedly enhanced the mRNA expression levels of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and interleukins-4 (IL-4) (P < 0.05). In the 0.8% Pae group, the relative abundance of Campilobacterota was significantly reduced (P < 0.05). In the 0.4% Pae group, the relative abundance of Firmicutes was notably increased (P < 0.05). In the 0.2 and 0.8% Pae groups, the relative abundance of Prevotella was markedly increased (P < 0.05). In the 0.2% Pae group, the contents of propionic acid, butyric acid, and valerate acid were markedly higher (P < 0.05). Thus, it is speculated that Pae may regulate the balance of anti-inflammatory/pro-inflammatory factors, improve intestinal tight junction expression, reduce apoptosis, and improve intestinal microflora structure and growth performance of piglets, thereby restoring intestinal barrier function and alleviating DSS-induced UC in piglets.

Combination therapy using fexofenadine, disodium cromoglycate, and a hypoallergenic amino acid-based formula induced remission in a patient with steroid-dependent, chronically active ulcerative colitis

Corticosteroids and 5-aminosalicylic acid are the primary standard therapy for inflammatory bowel disease. Recent immunologic data implicate an involvement of mast cell activation followed by increased histamine secretion and elevated tissue concentrations of histamine in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis. In the present case, the clinical course of a 35-year-old man with steroid-dependent chronic active ulcerative colitis, who did not respond to high-dose steroids, antibiotics, or azathioprine during 3 years, is reported. Clinical disease activity and established serological markers were recorded during 6 weeks of unsuccessful therapy and during the next 6 weeks, as a new nonsedative antihistaminergic drug, a mast cell stabilizer, and an hypoallergenic diet were implemented in addition to conventional therapy. Induction of remission was achieved within 2 weeks after treatment with fexofenadine, disodium cromoglycate, and an amino acid-based formula. Clinical disease activity, stool frequency, leukocytes, c-reactive protein, and orosomucoid levels in serum decreased rapidly. Daily steroid administration could be gradually reduced along with 6 weeks of this treatment. This report suggests that histamine and mast cell activity may be important pathophysiological factors responsible for persistent clinical and mucosal inflammatory activity in ulcerative colitis despite the use of steroids. In ulcerative colitis, patients unresponsive to conventional treatment, therapeutic considerations should also include an antiallergic approach when further signs of atopy or intestinal hypersensitivity are present.

IgG subclass-containing cells around the lymph follicle in the human intestine

The authors previously reported the ring-like distribution of IgG-containing cells around the lymph follicle in both the small and large intestine. In the present study, the distribution of IgG subclass-containing cells around the lymph follicle was examined in both the small and large intestine, including Peyer's patches, by the indirect immunoperoxidase staining method. A ring-like distribution of IgG subclass-containing cells was observed in 14 out of 21 lymph follicles including 4 Peyer's patches (66.7%) in the terminal ileum, and 4 out of 7 (57.1%) in the large intestine. The percentages of IgG1-, IgG2-, IgG3-, and IgG4- containing cells around the lymph follicle in the terminal ileum were 27.6 +/- 11.6%, 51.9 +/- 15.4%, 16.5 +/- 10.2%, and 4.0 +/- 3.1%, respectively, and those in the large intestine were 22.9 +/- 15.4%, 47.4 +/- 14.9%, 11.2 +/- 4.1%, and 18.5 +/- 7.7%, respectively. Thus, among the IgG subclasses, IgG2-containing cells showed the most frequent ring-like distribution around the lymph follicle. The IgG2 predominance around the lymph follicle in the intestine was markedly different from reported IgG1 predominance in the lamina propria in the large intestine. This difference in IgG subclass distribution may suggest different origins of the IgG subclass-containing cells in the lamina propria and in areas around the lymph follicle.