Digestive diseases and sciences
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Nurse-administered propofol sedation (NAPS) is now in widespread use. The safety profile of NAPS for routine endoscopic procedures in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is unknown. ⋯ Routine endoscopic procedures using NAPS are safe in patients with documented OSA, with complication rates comparable to when using CS. NAPS helped to decrease procedure times in general.
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Accumulating evidence suggests that gender-related differences are prominent in gastric motility functions in both health and disease. Women are more susceptible to gastroparesis than men. Though the mechanism(s) involved are not fully understood, impairment of the nitrergic system is one of the main factors responsible for the disease. ⋯ Recent research has been focused on BH(4) biosynthesis and gastroparesis because reduced BH(4) cofactor levels can alter the production of NO by nNOS. Researchers are now paying more attention to the possibility of using BH(4) as a therapeutic strategy in gastroparesis. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the regulation and function of nNOS by sex hormones and BH(4) and its potential role in the treatment of gastroparesis.
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Historical Article
Long-term safety and effectiveness of lubiprostone, a chloride channel (ClC-2) activator, in patients with chronic idiopathic constipation.
Lubiprostone helps relieve constipation in short-term 4-week studies. There are limited data on long-term pharmacological treatment with lubiprostone for chronic idiopathic constipation. ⋯ During this 48-week open-label study, lubiprostone was well tolerated. Bowel symptoms consistently improved over 48 weeks in adult patients with chronic idiopathic constipation.