Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology
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J. Gastroenterol. Hepatol. · Aug 2012
Atorvastatin protects obese mice against hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury by Toll-like receptor-4 suppression and endothelial nitric oxide synthase activation.
Steatosis accentuates the severity of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors ("statins") protect the heart and brain against post-ischemic injury, without necessarily lowering serum cholesterol. We tested whether 10-day or 1-day atorvastatin administration protects livers with fatty change or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) against IRI. ⋯ Statins exert major hepatoprotection against IRI in lean, fatty, and NASH livers that is not due to cholesterol removal. Rather, statins downregulate TLR4 to prevent NF-κB activation, with resultant suppression of adhesion molecules, chemokines/cytokines, and thromboxane B2 production. Short-term statin treatment is an effective, readily-available preventive agent against hepatic IRI, irrespective of obesity and fatty liver disease.
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J. Gastroenterol. Hepatol. · Jun 2012
Meta Analysis Comparative StudyDiagnostic value of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging compared with fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography for pancreatic malignancy: a meta-analysis using a hierarchical regression model.
To obtain diagnostic performance of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) and fluorine 18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in the detection of pancreatic malignancy. ⋯ Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) was highly sensitive and DWI was a highly specific modality in diagnosing patients with pancreatic malignancy. PET/CT and DWI could play different roles in diagnosing pancreatic carcinoma. Enhanced PET/CT seems to be superior to unenhanced PET/CT. Further larger prospective studies are needed to establish its value for diagnosis in pancreatic cancer.
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J. Gastroenterol. Hepatol. · Jun 2012
Review Meta AnalysisTreatment of high-frequency gastric electrical stimulation for gastroparesis.
The aim of this study was to assess the effects of gastric electrical stimulation (GES) on symptoms and gastric emptying in patients with gastroparesis, and the effects of GES on the three subgroups of gastroparesis. ⋯ Based on this meta-analysis, the substantial and significant improvement of symptoms and gastric emptying, and the good safety we observed, indicate that high-frequency GES is an effective and safe method for treating refractory gastroparesis. DG patients seem the most responsive to GES, both subjectively and objectively, while the IG and PSG subgroups are less responsive and need further research.
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J. Gastroenterol. Hepatol. · May 2012
Multicenter Study Clinical TrialPredicting the efficacy of proton pump inhibitors in patients with non-erosive reflux disease before therapy using dual-channel 24-h esophageal pH monitoring.
We aimed to determine whether reflux- and symptom-related parameters can predict the efficacy of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) in non-erosive reflux disease (NERD). ⋯ Pre-therapeutic pH monitoring in the lower and mid-esophagus is useful for predicting the efficacy of PPI in NERD patients.