News
Healthiest gut bacteria with plant-based or Mediterranean diet
The study included four different groups of people: the population at large; people suffering from the chronic intestinal inflammatory disorder called Crohn’s disease; people with another similar gut disorder called ulcerative colitis; and people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This helped them describe the individual’s microbial pattern. This was then correlated with the results of […]
News
Fetal gut has more well-developed immune capabilities than previously thought
Liza Konnikova and her colleagues applied advanced cellular and genomic analyses to study the makeup of the immune system in gut tissues from 14- to 23-week-old fetuses and infants undergoing surgery to correct gut defects. “We were surprised to find that almost complete immune capacity in the gut had developed as early as 14 weeks, […]
News
Crohn’s disease study identifies genetic variant with potential to personalise treatment
A UK wide collaboration led by the University of Exeter, Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust and the Wellcome Sanger Institute, has demonstrated that a genetic variant carried by 40% of the population explains why some patients develop antibodies against the anti-TNF drugs, infliximab and adalimumab and lose response. The authors conclude that a […]
News
Genetic data now available for bacteria central to Crohn’s disease
By studying a surgically removed, damaged bowel from a patient, researchers were able to culture bacteria from a special form of microscopic lesions that they earlier discovered and that can be present within the gut wall of the inflamed bowel in Crohn’s disease. After growing the bacteria in their laboratory, they chose one representative species, and performed a complete genome sequence […]
News
When blood vessels are overly permeable
Diseases in humans are often caused by malfunctioning cells. Epithelium cells, which form the barrier between the bowel and surrounding tissue, and inflammatory cells have been the focus of investigations of the mechanisms of chronic inflammatory diseases of the bowel up to now. While it is well known that inflammatory cells can only reach the […]
News
Scientists find timekeepers of gut’s immune system
As people go through their daily and nightly routines, their digestive tracts follow a routine, too: digesting food and absorbing nutrients during waking hours, and replenishing worn-out cells during sleep. Shift work and jet lag can knock sleep schedules and digestive rhythms out of whack. Such disruptions have been linked to increased risk of intestinal […]
Research
Nanotechnology in the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease
To date, there is no cure for IBD, and therapy is aimed to achieve and maintain remission from inflammatory episodes. Inflammatory bowel disease treatment currently consists of anti-inflammatory agents such as 5-aminosalicylates (5-ASAs), corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, and biologic agents such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) antagonists, anti-interleukins, and anti-integrins.6 These drugs can induce and maintain remission; […]
News
FODMAPs diet relieves symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease
In a paper published today in Gastroenterology a team of researchers carried out a trial of a diet low in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP) in patients with IBD, experiencing persistent gut symptoms despite gut inflammation being under control. They found that a four-week low FODMAP diet improved certain gut symptoms such as swelling of […]
News
Q&A: VARSITY, UNIFI add to the armamentarium for ulcerative colitis
Two trials – the VARSITY and UNIFI trials – published in The New England Journal of Medicine on Wednesday helped to provide information about which therapies might be beneficial to patients with UC and in what circumstances. The UNIFI trial, which was previously presented at both the United European Gastroenterology Week and Digestive Disease Week, demonstrated that two […]
News
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: IBD Stem Cell Therapy Needs Us All
The narrative surrounding the development of stem cell therapy for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease was best said by Amy Lightner, MD, when she noted that we as gastroenterologists and colorectal surgeons are still in the early phases of navigating this therapy. However, the most obvious use of stem cells in IBD seems to be […]
Latest Articles
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NewsCommon mistakes that can make ulcerative colitis worse
Avoiding these common mistakes is an important part of ulcerative colitis management. -
NewsHealthiest gut bacteria with plant-based or Mediterranean diet
A new study shows that specific foods can protect the gut against inflammatory disorders, by selectively promoting the growth of anti-inflammatory bacteria. -
NewsFetal gut has more well-developed immune capabilities than previously thought
New research from the University of Pittsburgh provides the first comprehensive look at the immune system of the developing gut.
