IgM contributes to glomerular injury in FSGS

Glomerular IgM and C3 deposits frequently accompany idiopathic FSGS and secondary glomerulosclerosis, but it is unknown whether IgM activates complement, possibly contributing to the pathogenesis of these diseases. We hypothesized that IgM natural antibody binds to neoepitopes exposed in the glomerulus after nonimmune insults, triggering activation of the complement system and further injury. We examined the effects of depleting B cells, using three different strategies, on adriamycin-induced glomerulosclerosis. First, we treated wild-type mice with an anti-murine CD20 antibody, which depletes B cells, before disease induction. Second, we evaluated adriamycin-induced glomerulosclerosis in Jh mice, a strain that lacks mature B cells. Third, we locally depleted peritoneal B cells via hypotonic shock before disease induction. All three strategies reduced deposition of IgM in the glomerulus after administration of adriamycin and attenuated the development of albuminuria. Furthermore, we found that glomerular IgM and C3 were detectable in a subset of patients with FSGS; C3 was present as an activation fragment and colocalized with glomerular IgM, suggesting that glomerular IgM may have bound a cognate ligand. Taken together, these results suggest that IgM activates the complement system within the glomerulus in an animal model of glomerulosclerosis. Strategies that reduce IgM natural antibody or that prevent complement activation may slow the progression of glomerulosclerosis.

Clear cell variant of urothelial carcinoma in urinary bladder; a clinicopathological and immunohistochemical study--a case report

The clear cell variant urothelial carcinoma of urinary bladder is very rare and unusual neoplasm defined histologically by clear cell pattern and glycogen-rich cytoplasm. Our case of clear cell carcinoma was diagnosed with immunohistochemistry stain. A 72-year-old man, presented with painless macroscopic hematuria in November 2007. Evaluation revealed papillary tumor in urinary bladder. A transurethral resection of the bladder tumor (TUR-Bt) was performed. Histopatologic evaluation showed superficial transitional cell carcinoma and carcinoma in situ. On three month follow-up, a solitary pedunculated tumor was detected again in the left wall of the urinary bladder. A repeated transurethral resection of the bladder tumor (reTUR-Bt) was performed in February 2008. The pathological diagnosis was difficult due to diffuse clear cell appearance. Immunohistochemistry stain showed urothelial carcinoma and finally it was diagnosed as clear cell variant. Urothelial carcinoma has many variants that show a variety of appearances and characteristics. These should be well known for evaluation and optimal treatment.

Paraganglioma of the urinary bladder--clinicopathological, immunohistochemical and electron microscopy analysis--a case report

Tumors that grow within the adrenal medulla are called pheochromocytoma; when located extra-adrenal, they are called paraganglioma. Paraganglioma of the bladder are very rare, with only 180 reported cases. Less than 30 were malignant. We report a case of a 72-years old man with bladder paraganglioma who presented with painless hematuria. Urgent transurethral resection (TUR) was performed. Definitive pathohistological diagnosis was confirmed to imunohistochemical and electron microscopy. Clinical diagnostic showed normal value of epinephrine and norepinehrine in the urine. Scintigraphy of entire body and targeted pictures of pelvis where taken 24, 48 and 72 hours after administration of RI. No loci of pathologic accumulation of 131-I MIBG where found. Computer tomography (CT) of pelvis and abdomen were normal. Considering staging and pathohistological analysis, we treated our patient with TUR and longtime follow-up afterworth.

Effects of ramipril and valsartan on proteinuria and renal function in patients with nondiabetic proteinuria

The renin-angiotensin system is involved in the progression of chronic renal disease of both diabetic and nondiabetic origin. The angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers have been demonstrated to reduce urinary protein excretion and attenuate the development of renal injury. This prospective, randomized, 12-month study assessed the effects of ramipril (N = 23) vs. valsartan (N = 22) vs. combination of ramipril and valsartan (N = 26) on proteinuria, renal function and metabolic profile in 71 patients with nondiabetic proteinuria with normal or slightly impaired renal function. Monotherapy with ramipril or valsartan and combination of these two drugs significantly reduced proteinuria, serum creatinine, cholesterol and triglycerides as well as systolic and diastolic arterial blood pressure. There was no significant difference among three study groups according to reduction of arterial blood pressure, serum cholesterol and triglycerides. At one year, a significant reduction in serum creatinine was recorded in all three study groups, whereas at 3 and 6 months a statistically significant reduction in serum creatinine was only observed in patients on combination therapy. In addition, at 3 months the reduction of proteinuria was significantly greater in patients on combination therapy than in those on either monotherapy. These results indicated the combination therapy with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers to be more efficacious than either monotherapy in reducing proteinuria and serum creatinine level in the first 3 (proteinuria and serum creatinine) or 6 (serum creatinine) months of treatment.

Polyomavirus associated nephropathy after kidney and pancreas transplantation: case report

Polyomavirus virus associated nephropathy (PVAN) is an important cause of graft failure in the renal transplant population. The prevalence of PVAN has increased from 1% to 10% in the past decade, leading to loss of transplanted organ in 30% to 80% of cases. In the absence of specific antiviral drugs, early detection of disease and modification/reduction of immunosuppressive regimen is currently the cornerstone of therapy. In the setting of multiorgan transplantation, like simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantation (SPKT), diagnosis and therapy of PVAN can be even more challenging problem. We report a first described case of PVAN in patient after SPKT in Croatia. Patient is a 32 years old Caucasian male with type 1 diabetes mellitus and end stage renal failure, diagnosed for PVAN 6 month after SPKT. Patient was treated with reduced immunosuppressive regimen. At 32 month follow up, patient has preserved kidney and pancreas function with estimated glomerular filtration (eGFR) rate of 91 mL/min and no signs of PVAN on his 2 year protocol kidney biopsy.

Urine immunocytology as a noninvasive diagnostic tool for acute kidney rejection: a single center experience

Renal biopsy is a gold standard for establishing diagnosis of acute rejection of the renal allograft. However, being invasive, renal biopsy has potential significant complications and contraindications. Therefore, possibility to noninvasively diagnose acute rejection would improve follow-up of kidney transplant patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate urine immunocytology for T cells as a method for noninvasive identification of patients with acute renal allograft rejection in comparison to renal biopsy. In this prospective study a cohort of 56 kidney, or kidney-pancreas transplant recipients was included. Patients either received their transplant at the University Hospital "Merkur", or have been followed at the "Merkur" Hospital. Patients were subject to either protocol or indication kidney biopsy (a total of 70 biopsies), with simultaneous urine immunocytology (determination of CD3-positive cells in the urine sediment). Acute rejection was diagnosed in 24 biopsies. 23 episodes were T-cell mediated (6 grade IA, 5 grade IB, 1 grade IIA, 1 grade III and 10 borderline), while in 1 case acute humoral rejection was diagnosed. 46 biopsies did not demonstrate acute rejection. CD3-positive cells were found in 21% of cases with acute rejection and in 13% of cases without rejection (n.s.). A finding of CD3-positive cells in urine had a sensitivity of 21% and specificity of 87% for acute rejection (including borderline), with positive predictive value of 45% and negative predictive value of 68%. Although tubulitis is a hallmark of acute T cell-mediated rejection, detection of T cells in urine sediment was insufficiently sensitive and insufficiently specific for diagnosing acute rejection in our cohort of kidney transplant recipients.

First documented case of BK nephropathy in kidney transplant recipient in Croatia: usage of urine cytology in evaluation process

BK virus associated nephropathy (BKVAN) in transplanted kidney, although recognized as a distinct entity in the 1970-es, continues to represent a challenge in kidney transplantation, mainly because the optimal treatment approach has not been determined yet. The fact that about 10-20% of patients have simultaneously some stage of acute rejection, complicate the treatment even more. Herein we present a case of BK nephropathy in the patient, one year after combined liver and kidney transplantation, complicated by episode of acute T-cell mediated rejection. Identification of decoy cells by cytology urine exam in patient with acute kidney graft function deterioration, raised suspicion of BKVAN. Diagnosis has been made by histological examination and confirmed with immunohistochemical staining for BK virus in kidney graft biopsy. One month after he had been treated for BKVAN with intravenous immunoglobulin, leflunomide and overall immunosuppression therapy reduction, there was further deterioration of graft function due to an episode of acute T-cell mediated rejection (Banff classification IA). He received 500 mg of metilprednisolon intravenously and mycophenolate mofetil had been reintroduced, which resulted in slow partial recovery of the graft function, but never to the baseline values. For the past two years his renal graft function has been stable, maintaining lower levels of immunosuppressive therapy. According to our knowledge this is the first documented case of BK virus associated nephropathy, diagnosed and confirmed with immunohistochemical staining of tissue from kidney biopsy in Croatia.

[Cholesterol crystal embolism and renal insufficiency: case report and literature review]

Cholesterol crystal embolism with renal impairment is increasingly recognised as an iatrogenic complication of invasive vascular procedures. We present a 58-year-old patient in whom the presence of a classic triad of precipitating event (coronary angiography), subacute presentation of renal failure and cutaneous lesions (livedo reticularis and Blue Toe syndrome) suggested this entity. The confirmatory diagnosis was made by means of renal biopsy which revealed cholesterol crystals lodged in arteries. In our patient severe renal insufficiency requiering hemodialysis ensued. Glucocorticoid and statin therapy failed to recover the renal function. The patient died from acute myocardial infarction. Invasive cardiac procedures are increasing in number especially in the elderly population so higher incidence of cholesterol crystal embolism coud be expected in the future. Increased awareness of this syndrome is necessary for early recognition, which is crucial for treatment, and defining the high-risk patient in whom other modalities of coronary diagnostics coud be considered.

[Renal changes in vasculitis: case report]

Fifteen patients with vasculitis and renal manifestations have been analyzed. All patients had renal manifestation of vasculitis. Renal biopsy was performed in 13 patients: 6 patients had microscopic polyangiitis, 4 Wegener's granulomatosis, 2 microscopic polyangiitis limited to the kidneys and 3 polyarteritis nodosa. Renal biopsy was not performed in 2 patients. One patient had renal insufficiency and small kidneys and one patient had polyarteritis nodosa. The diagnosis of the polyarteritis nodosa in this last patient was made because of other clinical and laboratory data. Pauci-immune type of glomerulonephritis was found in 11 patients. The crescents, usually cellular, fibrocellular and rarely fibrotic, were present in 20-100% glomeruli. Renal insufficiency at baseline was present in 14 patients (creatinine 215-1224 micromol/L). Only one patient had borderline renal function when the diagnosis of vasculitis was made (creatinine 115 micromol/L). All patients with glomerulonephritis were treated with glucocorticosteroids and cyclophosphamide. Five patients with pulmonary manifestations of disease or advanced renal failure also were treated with plasmapheresis. Eight patients were treated by hemodyalisis. The complete or partial remission in the first year of the follow-up was reached in 9 patients, and 5 patients were treated by chronic dialysis due to chronic renal failure. One patient with Wegener's granulomatosis died after he developed toxic megacolon and postoperative sepsis.

Cytotoxicity and apoptosis induced by fumonisin B1, beauvericin and ochratoxin A in porcine kidney PK15 cells: effects of individual and combined treatment

The objective of this study was to determine individual and combined effects of fumonisin B(1) (FB(1)), beauvericin (BEA) and ochratoxin A (OTA) on porcine kidney epithelial PK15 cell survival by measuring lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, apoptotic index and caspase-3 activity. Cells were treated with 0.05, 0.5 and 5 microg/ml of each mycotoxin or with the combinations of two or all three mycotoxins for 24 and 48 h. Changes in LDH and caspase-3 activity, and in apoptotic index showed that the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of these mycotoxins were concentration- and time- dependent. Significant increase of LDH activity was observed after 48 h of exposure to the highest concentration of FB(1) (45%), BEA (84%) and OTA (77%), as compared to control. OTA increased caspase-3 activity after 24 h of treatment with 0.5 mug/mL (84%), while BEA (319%) and FB(1) (419%) significantly affected this enzyme activity after 48 h (P < 0.05). Increase of caspase-3 activity preceded significant morphological apoptotic changes, which were detected after 48 h of exposure to a single toxin. Combined treatment with FB(1), BEA and OTA resulted mostly in additive effects on LDH activity, and additive and synergistic effects on caspase-3 activity and apoptotic index.

[Clinical and histopathological characteristics of biopsy-proven renal diseases in Croatia]

There is little data on the spectrum of renal diseases in children in Croatia. The Croatian Society for Pediatric Nephrology has established the Registry of Biopsy-Proven Renal Diseases in an attempt to address this issue nationwide. Here we report preliminary results of a retrospective analysis of clinical and histopathological data of 565 children aged < or =17 years presenting to 9 hospitals in Croatia from 1991 to 2004, in whom kidney biopsy was performed. The most common indication for renal biopsy was nephrotic syndrome (39.1%), followed by asymptomatic proteinuria/hematuria (22.0%) and acute nephritic syndrome (17.0%). All biopsies were analysed by light-, immunofluorescent and electron microscopy. The majority of children, 552 out of 565 (92.4%), had glomerulonephritis (GN). Tubulointerstitial nephritis was found in 16 (2.8%), congenital renal parenchyma anomalies in 14 (2.5%) and vascular disease in 11 (1.9%) cases. One (0.2%) child had sarcoidosis with nephrocalcinosis. The sample was non-diagnostic in 1 (0.2%) case. Among children with GN, primary GN accounted for 70.9%, secondary GN for 16.1% and hereditary GN for 13.0% cases. The most frequent primary GN forms were focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) (24.6%), mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (MEPGN) (19.2%) and IgA nephropathy (18.1%). Acute GN in resolution was found in 11.1% and minimal changes GN in 6.8% of cases. Most children with secondary GN had nephritis of Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) (54.7%) and nephritis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (40.5%), while among hereditary GN Alport syndrome was most common (80.9%). In the group of children with primary GN who presented with nephrotic syndrome, most common forms were FSGS (38.5%) and MEPGN (24.0%). Minimal changes GN accounted for only 10.9% of cases. IgA nephropathy, primary or related to HSP (20.0%), FSGS (16.1%), MEPGN (12.6%) and Alport syndrome (9.7%) were the most common biopsy-proven renal diseases in Croatian children. The analysis provided data on the frequency of histological renal lesions in children in Croatia. The higher frequency of FSGS and MEPGN among Croatian children in comparison with other countries deserves further evaluation.

The alternative pathway of complement is activated in the glomeruli and tubulointerstitium of mice with adriamycin nephropathy

The complement system effectively identifies and clears invasive pathogens as well as injured host cells. Uncontrolled complement activation can also contribute to tissue injury, however, and inhibition of this system may ameliorate many types of inflammatory injury. Several studies have demonstrated that the filtration of complement proteins into the renal tubules, as occurs during proteinuric renal disease, causes tubular inflammation and injury. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that activation of the complement system in the urinary space requires an intact alternative pathway. Using a model of adriamycin-induced renal injury, which induces injury resembling focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, we examined whether mice deficient in factor B would be protected from the development of progressive tubulointerstitial injury. Complement activation was attenuated in the glomeruli and tubulointerstitium of mice with congenital deficiency of factor B (fB-/-) compared with wild-type controls, demonstrating that complement activation does occur through the alternative pathway. Deficiency in factor B did not significantly protect the mice from tubulointerstitial injury. However, treatment of wild-type mice with an inhibitory monoclonal antibody to factor B did delay the development of renal failure. These results demonstrate that complement activation in this nonimmune complex-mediated model of progressive renal disease requires an intact alternative pathway.

Altered renal tubular expression of the complement inhibitor Crry permits complement activation after ischemia/reperfusion

Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) of several organs results in complement activation, but the kidney is unique in that activation after I/R occurs only via the alternative pathway. We hypothesized that selective activation of this pathway after renal I/R could occur either because of a loss of complement inhibition or from increased local synthesis of complement factors. We examined the relationship between renal complement activation after I/R and the levels and localization of intrinsic membrane complement inhibitors. We found that loss of polarity of complement receptor 1-related protein y (Crry) in the tubular epithelium preceded activation of the alternative pathway along the basolateral aspect of the tubular cells. Heterozygous gene-targeted mice that expressed lower amounts of Crry were more sensitive to ischemic injury. Furthermore, inhibition of Crry expressed by proximal tubular epithelial cells in vitro resulted in alternative pathway-mediated injury to the cells. Thus, altered expression of a complement inhibitor within the tubular epithelium appears to be a critical factor permitting activation of the alternative pathway of complement after I/R. Increased C3 mRNA and decreased factor H mRNA were also detected in the outer medulla after I/R, suggesting that altered synthesis of these factors might further contribute to complement activation in this location.

Hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis--three case reports

The two most common forms of inherited normotensive hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis are Bartter's and Gitelman's syndromes. Bartter's syndrome typically present with normal or increased calcium excretion. Hypomagnesemia occurs in only one third of affected individuals. In contrast, hypomagnesemia and hypocalciuria are considered hallmarks of Gitelman's syndrome. In most patients, the symptom of muscle weakness and polyuria occur early in life, which may be attributed to potassium depletion. Despite hyperaldosteronism, the patients tend to be normotensive, which is at least explained by vascular hyperresponsiveness to prostaglandins. Therapeutic approaches to Bartter's and Gitelman's syndromes include potassium supplementation, prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors (nonsteroid anti-inflammatory agents), aldosterone antagonists and converting enzyme inhibitors. Three patients with hypokalemia, normal blood pressure, metabolic alkalosis, hyperreninemia and hyperaldosteronism are described. Two patients had Bartter's syndrome and one patients had Gitelman's syndrome.

[Helicobacter pylori and malignant diseases of the stomach]

The association between Helicobacter pylori infection and gastric malignancies, cancer and MALT lymphoma, has been suggested through several lines of evidence during the last decade. Although unresolved issues still cast doubts on the real weight of these association, in the sequence of events that leads to gastric cancer or lymphoma, Helicobacter pylori appears to play a prominent role in the very initial steps as causative agent of chronic gastritis. The subsequent events in the sequence--atrophy, intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia and cancer are multifactorial involving environmental agents, host response and characteristics of the bacterial strain itself. Recognition of the causal role of Helicobacter pylori infection in the cancer induction theoretically presents tools for its prevention. The ongoing studies will show in the future whether eradication or prevention of infection are followed by a reduction in risk of cancer. Lymphomas arising from gastric mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) may be a clonal evolution starting from the infection. In low-grade gastric MALT lymphoma cure of the infection induces complete remission in the majority of patients. Longer follow-up investigations are necessary to determine if remissions indicate a cure of the disease.

Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 interactions with adrenergic and dopaminergic systems in mucosal protection in stress

Since superior protection against different gastrointestinal and liver lesions and antiinflammatory and analgesic activities were noted for pentadecapeptide BPC (an essential fragment of an organoprotective gastric juice protein named BPC), the beneficial mechanism of BPC 157 and its likely interactions with other systems were studied. Hence its beneficial effects would be abolished by adrenal gland medullectomy, the influence of different agents affecting alpha, beta, and dopamine receptors on BPC 157 gastroprotection in 48 h restraint stress was further investigated. Animals were pretreated (1 hr before stress) with saline (controls) or BPC 157 (dissolved in saline) (10 microg or 10 ng/kg body wt intraperitoneally or intragastrically) applied either alone to establish basal conditions or, when manipulating the adrenergic or dopaminergic system, a simultaneous administration was carried out with various agents with specific effects on adrenergic or dopaminergic receptors [given in milligrams per kilogram intraperitoneally except for atenolol, which was given subcutaneously] phentolamine (10.0), prazosin (0.5), yohimbine (5.0), clonidine (0.1) (alpha-adrenergic domain), propranolol (1.0), atenolol (20.0) (beta-adrenergic domain), domperidone (5.0), and haloperidol (5.0) (peripheral/central dopamine system). Alternatively, agents stimulating adrenergic or dopaminergic systems--adrenaline (5.0) or bromocriptine (10.0)--were applied. A strong protection, noted following intragastric or intraperitoneal administration of BPC 157, was fully abolished by coadministration of phentolamine, clonidine, and haloperidol, and consistently not affected by prazosin, yohimbine, or domperidone. Atenolol abolished only intraperitoneal BPC 157 protection, whereas propranolol affected specifically intragastric BPC 157 protection. Interestingly, the severe course of lesion development obtained in basal conditions, unlike BPC 157 gastroprotection, was not influenced by the application of these agents. In other experiments, when adrenaline and bromocriptine were given simultaneously, a strong reduction of lesion development was noted. However, when applied separately, only adrenaline, not bromocriptine, has a protective effect. Thus, a complex protective interaction with both alpha-adrenergic (eg, catecholamine release) and dopaminergic (central) systems could be suggested for both intragastric and intraperitoneal BPC 157 administration. The involvement of beta-receptor stimulation in BPC 157 gastroprotection appears to be related to the route of BPC 157 administration. The demonstration that a combined stimulation of adrenergic and dopaminergic systems by simultaneous prophylactic application of adrenaline (alpha- and beta-receptor stimulant) and bromocriptine (dopamine receptor agonist) may significantly reduce restraint stress lesions development provides insight for further research on the beneficial mechanism of BPC 157.

Beneficial effect of a novel pentadecapeptide BPC 157 on gastric lesions induced by restraint stress, ethanol, indomethacin, and capsaicin neurotoxicity

Very recently, the integrity of capsaicin somatosensory neurons and their protection were suggested to be related to the activity in nociception of a newly discovered 15-amino acid peptide, BPC 157, shown to have strong beneficial effect on intestinal and liver lesions. Therefore, from this viewpoint, we have studied the gastroprotective effect of the pentadecapeptide BPC 157, on gastric lesions produced in rats by 96% ethanol, restraint stress, and indomethacin. The possible involvement of sensory neurons in the salutary actions of BPC 157 (10 micrograms/kg, 10 ng/kg intraperitoneally) was studied with capsaicin, which has differential effects on sensory neurons: a high dose in adult (125 mg/kg subcutaneously, 3 months old) or administration (50 mg/kg subcutaneously) to neonatal animals (age of the 7 days) destroys sensory fibers, whereas a low dose (500 micrograms/kg intraperitoneally) activates neurotransmitter release and protective effects on the mucosa. In the absence of capsaicin, BPC 157 protected gastric mucosa against ethanol, restraint, and indomethacin application. In the presence of neurotoxic doses of capsaicin, the negative influence of capsaicin on restraint, ethanol, or indomethacin lesions consistently affected salutary activity of BPC 157. However, BPC 157 protection was still evident in the capsaicin-treated rats (either treated as adults or as newborns) in all of these assays. Interestingly, after neonatal capsaicin treatment, a complete abolition of BPC gastroprotection was noted if BPC 157 was applied as a single nanogram-regimen, but the mucosal protection was fully reversed when the same dose was used daily. In line with the excitatory dose of capsaicin the beneficial effectiveness of BPC 157 appears to be increased as well. Taken together, these data provide evidence for complex synergistic interaction between the beneficial effectiveness of BPC 157 and peptidergic sensory afferent neuron activity.

Salutary and prophylactic effect of pentadecapeptide BPC 157 on acute pancreatitis and concomitant gastroduodenal lesions in rats

The superior effectiveness of a new pentadecapeptide, BPC 157, on gastrointestinal and liver lesions, in conjunction with an antiinflammatory and analgetic activity was recently noted. In the present study, BPC 157 was tested as either a protective or healing agent in bile duct ligation-induced acute pancreatitis in rats. In addition, the positive influence of BPC 157 on concomitantly developed gastric and duodenal lesions was simultaneously investigated. BPC 157 (10 microg, 10 ng/kg body wt, intraperitoneally or intragastrically) was given prophylactically 1 hr before ligation, whereas the therapy was given once daily beginning with the 24 hr following ligation (last application 24 hr before killing). The effect was investigated at daily intervals until the end of the fifth day after ligation. In the pretreatment regimen, a strong pancreas protection was obtained. When applied in the condition of already established severe acute pancreatitis, an obvious salutory effect was consistently noted. Assessing the appearance of the necrosis, edema, neutrophils, and mononuclears, consistently less necrosis, edema, and neutrophils, but more mononuclears, were found in BPC-treated rats. Likewise, in studies of the serum amylase values, relative to control data, a markedly lower rise (BPC pretreatment regimen) as well as a worsening of the already raised values (BPC therapy regimen) was noted. Along with its beneficial effect on pancreatitis, a positive influence of BPC 157 on the gastric and duodenal lesion course in bile duct-ligated rats was noted in both the pre- and posttreatment regimen. Taken together, in further studies of acute pancreatitis therapy, BPC could be an interesting and useful agent with an additional positive impact on concomitant gastroduodenal pathology.