Performance of a multi-compounds nutraceutical formulation in patients with symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease

Clinical outcomes of diverticular disease in young adults: results from a tertiary referral center

Introduction

Diverticular disease (DD), commonly associated with the elderly, is becoming more prevalent among younger individuals. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the differences in the natural history and outcomes between young and old patients with DD.

Methods

Adult patients with DD diagnosed between 2010 and 2022 at an Italian tertiary referral center were enrolled, and their demographic and clinical data were retrieved. The patients were categorized as young or old based on the 25th percentile of the population's age at diagnosis. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the association between the collected variables and the age of disease presentation. Additionally, survival analyses were conducted to evaluate the association between the age of diagnosis and clinical outcomes at follow-up, including disease recurrence, hospital access, surgery, and death.

Results

A total of 220 DD patients (with a median age of 66 years, IQR 55-74, and a female-to-male ratio of 1.4:1) were included in the study, comprising 54 patients receiving a diagnosis before the age of 49 years (young DD patients) and 166 patients diagnosed after the age of 49 years (old DD patients). Male sex (57 vs. 36%, p < 0.01), smoking (38 vs. 14%, p < 0.01), and alcohol consumption (54 vs. 38%) were highly prevalent in young patients. The complications at the time of diagnosis, particularly abscesses and free perforations, occurred more frequently in younger patients (p = 0.04). Moreover, young DD patients experienced a higher rate of hospitalization and surgical intervention (p = 0.01 and p = 0.04, respectively) over a median follow-up period of 5 years.

Conclusion

Preventive strategies and prompt diagnosis are crucial in young patients with DD for achieving better disease outcomes and preventing complications.

Hericium erinaceus, in combination with natural flavonoid/alkaloid and B3/B8 vitamins, can improve inflammatory burden in Inflammatory bowel diseases tissue: an ex vivo study

Hericium erinaceus, berberine, and quercetin are effective in experimental colitis. It is unknown whether they can ameliorate inflammatory bowel diseases in humans. This ex vivo study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory potential of a nutraceutical compound of HBQ-Complex^® (H. erinaceus, berberine, and quercetin), biotin, and niacin in inflammatory bowel disease patients. Tissue specimens were obtained either from Normal-Appearing Mucosa (NAM) or from Inflamed Mucosa (IM) in 20 patients with inflammatory bowel disease. mRNA and protein expression of COX-2, IL-10, and TNF-α were determined in NAM and IM biopsy samples (T0). IM samples were then incubated in HBQ-Complex^® (with the addition of niacin and biotin), and COX-2, IL-10, and TNF-α tissue levels were evaluated at 120 minutes (T1) and 180 minutes (T2). Incubation with this compound resulted in a progressive decrease in gene and protein COX-2 and TNF-α expression at T1/T2 in the IM. IL-10 showed an opposite trend, with a progressive increase of mRNA and protein expression over the same time window. HBQ-Complex^® (with the addition of niacin and biotin) decreased the expression of proinflammatory cytokines at the mRNA and protein levels in IBD tissue. On the contrary, mRNA and protein expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 showed a progressive increase.

Hericium erinaceus, a medicinal fungus with a centuries-old history: Evidence in gastrointestinal diseases

Hericium erinaceus is an edible and medicinal mushroom commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. Several studies have highlighted its therapeutic potential for gastrointestinal disorders such as gastritis and inflammatory bowel diseases. In addition, some components of this mushroom appear to possess strong antineoplastic capabilities against gastric and colorectal cancer. This review aims to analyse all available evidence on the digestive therapeutic potential of this fungus as well as the possible underlying molecular mechanisms.