Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics
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Aliment. Pharmacol. Ther. · Oct 2014
ReviewSystematic review: the effect of prunes on gastrointestinal function.
Prunes (dried plums) are high in fibre and are perceived to promote healthy gastrointestinal (GI) function. ⋯ In constipation, prunes appear superior to psyllium for improving stool frequency and consistency, however, the evidence for other outcomes and the effects in non-constipated subjects is weak. Although prunes may be a promising intervention for the management of constipation and increasing stool weight, this needs to be confirmed by further rigorous research.
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Aliment. Pharmacol. Ther. · Oct 2014
ReviewSystematic review: the combined surgical and medical treatment of fistulising perianal Crohn's disease.
The management of perianal Crohn's fistulas represents a significant challenge. A combination of medical and surgical therapy, guided by radiology, is often required. ⋯ Combined surgical and medical (anti-TNF-α ± immunomodulators) therapy may have additional beneficial effects on perianal fistula healing in patients with Crohn's disease, compared with surgery or medical therapy alone. A well-designed Crohn's perianal fistula clinical trial is required in a multidisciplinary medical and surgical setting, with clearly defined end points of clinical (and likely patient reported outcomes) and radiological healing.
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Aliment. Pharmacol. Ther. · Sep 2014
ReviewSystematic review: the role of the gut microbiota in chemotherapy- or radiation-induced gastrointestinal mucositis - current evidence and potential clinical applications.
Gastrointestinal mucositis is defined as inflammation and/or ulcers of the gastrointestinal tract occurring as a complication of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and affects about 50% of all cancer patients. ⋯ The gut microbiota may play a major role in the pathogenesis of mucositis through the modification of intestinal barrier function, innate immunity and intestinal repair mechanisms. Better knowledge of these effects may lead to new therapeutic approaches and to the identification of predictive markers of mucositis.
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Aliment. Pharmacol. Ther. · Sep 2014
Randomized Controlled TrialGaviscon Double Action Liquid (antacid & alginate) is more effective than antacid in controlling post-prandial oesophageal acid exposure in GERD patients: a double-blind crossover study.
Recent studies have shown that Gaviscon Double Action Liquid (a combination alginate-antacid) administered post-prandially co-localises with the acid pocket, the 'reservoir' for post-prandial acid reflux. ⋯ Gaviscon Double Action Liquid is more effective than an antacid without alginate in controlling post-prandial oesophageal acid exposure. However, the number and spatial distribution of reflux events within the oesophagus are similar. This suggests that Gaviscon main effectiveness relates to its co-localisation with and displacement/neutralisation of the post-prandial acid pocket, rather than preventing reflux.