Since Robert discovery that pretreatment with prostaglandin (PG) applied in non-antisecretory dose can prevent the injury of gastric mucosa induced by necrotizing agents, much attention was paid to the role of these cyclooxygenase (COX) products in the mechanism of gastric mucosal integrity and ulcer healing. The ability of exogenous PG to attenuate or even completely prevent mucosal damage cau...

Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) strains have been shown to adhere to human intestinal tissue in an in vitro organ culture (IVOC) model, and certain strains manifest mucosal toxicity. We have recently described the EAEC plasmid-encoded toxin (Pet), a member of a specific serine protease subclass of the autotransporter proteins. When injected into rat ileal loops, Pet both elicited flui...

BACKGROUND Nitric oxide synthase activity is increased in the stomach in association with Helicobacter pylori infection and portal hypertension, but the mechanism by which nitric oxide contributes to mucosal damage remains unclear. AIM To examine whether nitric oxide injures gastric mucosal cells and whether cellular glutathione affects nitric oxide-induced cytotoxicity. METHODS A confluent...

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Mucosal flattening and epithelial cell apoptosis are typical features of T cell induced inflammatory diseases of the bowel, such as coeliac disease and graft versus host disease. Mice injected with a T cell activating anti-CD3 antibody develop a severe diarrhoeal illness. We describe the histological features of this enteropathy and define the effector mechanisms involved in...

Background and aims: Mucosal flattening and epithelial cell apoptosis are typical features of T cell induced inflammatory diseases of the bowel, such as coeliac disease and graft versus host disease. Mice injected with a T cell activating anti-CD3 antibody develop a severe diarrhoeal illness. We describe the histological features of this enteropathy and define the effector mechanisms involved i...

Background and aims: Mucosal flattening and epithelial cell apoptosis are typical features of T cell induced inflammatory diseases of the bowel, such as coeliac disease and graft versus host disease. Mice injected with a T cell activating anti-CD3 antibody develop a severe diarrhoeal illness. We describe the histological features of this enteropathy and define the effector mechanisms involved i...

Sucralfate possesses site protective and cytoprotective actions and heals ulcers effectively, but its effect on gastric mucosal blood flow is unknown. Using an ex vivo gastric chamber preparation, we studied the effect of sucralfate on gastric mucosal blood flow in rats by laser doppler flowmetry. Under both fasting and fed states, measurements of gastric mucosal blood flow and damage were made...

Mucosal candidiasis is frequent in immunocompromised HIV-infected highly active antiretroviral (HAART) naive patients or those who have failed therapy. Mucosal candidiasis is a marker of progressive immune deficiency. Because of the frequently marked and prompt immune reconstitution induced by HAART, there is no recommendation for primary antifungal prophylaxis of mucosal candidiasis in the HIV...

The study focuses on the assessment of chromosomal damage associated with folate and vitamin B12 deficiency, and with cigarette smoking in a tissue directly exposed to cigarette smoke (buccal mucosa) while controlling for potential confounding factors. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 39 current smokers (CSs) and 60 noncurrent smokers (NCSs). Buccal mucosal cells, saliva, and blood...

Neutrophils play an important role in immunological function. Neutropenic patients are vulnerable to infection, and except fever is present, inflammatory reactions are scarce in many cases. Additionally, because infections can worsen rapidly, early evaluation and treatments are especially important in febrile neutropenic patients. In cases in which febrile neutropenia is anticipated due to anti...