Topic Review
OCA on Different Physiological Processes through FXR Activation
Obeticholic acid (OCA) or 6-alpha-ethyl-chenodeoxycholic acid is a semisynthetic modified bile acid derivative that acts on the farnesoid X receptor (FXR) as an agonist with a higher potency than bile acid. The FXR is a nuclear receptor highly expressed in the liver and small intestine and regulates bile acid, cholesterol, glucose metabolism, inflammation, and apoptosis. 
  • 516
  • 08 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Occult Infection with Hepatitis C Virus
Occult infection with hepatitis C virus (OCI) is defined as the presence of HCV-RNA in hepatocytes, and/or PBMCs in individuals, who are HCV-RNA negative in serum by conventional diagnostic tests (with LoD 15 IU/mL). Depending on the presence or absence of anti-HCV in serum, two types of OCI are distinguished—seronegative and seropositive. Occult viral persistence by definition escapes clinical diagnostic schemes and can last for many years after spontaneous or treatment-induced sustained virological response (SVR).
  • 511
  • 29 Dec 2021
Topic Review
OCT Applications in GI Tract
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is uniquely poised for advanced imaging in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract as it allows real-time, subsurface and wide-field evaluation at near-microscopic resolution, which may improve the current limitations or even obviate the need of superficial random biopsies in the surveillance of early neoplasias in the near future. OCT’s greatest impact so far in the GI tract has been in the study of the tubular esophagus owing to its accessibility, less bends and folds and allowance of balloon employment with optimal contact to aid circumferential imaging. Moreover, given the alarming rise in the incidence of Barrett's esophagus and its progression to adenocarcinoma in the U.S., OCT has helped identify pathological features that may guide future therapy and follow-up strategy. This review will explore the current uses of OCT in the gastrointestinal tract and future directions, particularly with non-endoscopic office-based capsule OCT and the use of artificial intelligence to aid in diagnoses.
  • 682
  • 06 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Okara and Gut
Okara is a white-yellow fibrous residue consisting of the insoluble fraction of the soybean seeds remaining after extraction of the aqueous fraction during the production of tofu and soymilk, and is generally considered a waste product. It is packed with a significant number of proteins, isoflavones, soluble and insoluble fibers, soyasaponins, and other mineral elements, which are all attributed with health merits. With the increasing production of soy beverages, huge quantities of this by-product are produced annually, which poses significant disposal problems and financial issues for producers. Extensive studies have been done on the biological activities, nutritional values, and chemical composition of okara as well as its potential utilization. Owing to its peculiar rich fiber composition and low cost of production, okara might be potentially useful in the food industry as a functional ingredient or good raw material and could be used as a dietary supplement to prevent varied ailments such as prevention of diabetes, hyperlipidemia, obesity, as well as to stimulate the growth of intestinal microbes and production of microbe-derived metabolites (xenometabolites), since gut dysbiosis (imbalanced microbiota) has been implicated in the progression of several complex diseases.
  • 3.6K
  • 31 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Opioid-Induced Gut Microbial Dysbiosis
Acute (and thus persistent) pain typically begins with nociceptors; the terminal ends of sensory neurons which are found within the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and are often managed with opioids. Opioid-induced dysbiosis (OID) is a specific condition describing the consequences of opioid use on the bacterial composition of the gut. Opioids have been shown to affect the epithelial barrier in the gut and modulate inflammatory pathways, possibly mediating opioid tolerance or opioid-induced hyperalgesia; in combination, these allow the invasion and proliferation of non-native bacterial colonies. Gut microbial dysbiosis is a change in the gut microbiota’s functional or structural configuration that disrupts gut homeostasis and is linked to several diseases. The changes in the balance and composition of gut microbiota are referred to as opioid-induced dysbiosis (OID), and they are linked to a variety of disease states and the development of antinociceptive tolerance.
  • 358
  • 09 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Oral Health Status in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Patients
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are chronic disorders that affect the gastrointestinal tract, including the oral cavity. Both Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) patients have an increased odds of periodontitis coincidence compared to the controls. Moreover, in most studies, patients with IBD are characterized by higher values of caries indices. In conclusion, the risk of oral diseases in IBD patients cannot be clearly established due to the possible association of other factors, e.g., sociodemographic or environmental factors.
  • 442
  • 24 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Oral Manifestations of IBD
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) comprises chronic heterogeneous disorders of unknown etiology, resulting from multifactorial environmental precipitants in genetically susceptible individuals. IBD are distinguished in two main phenotypes, Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), characterized by inflammation of the intestinal mucosa. While UC affects the rectum and a variable extent of the colon, CD can involve any location of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, from the oral cavity to the anus. Furthermore, up to 36% of patients with IBD may have extra-intestinal manifestations (EIM) which can affect almost any organ of the body (eyes, joints, liver, pancreas, skin, blood, and mouth).
  • 678
  • 12 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Oral Semaglutide
The gastrointestinal tract secretes gut hormones in response to food consumption, and some of these stimulate insulin secretion. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an incretin peptide hormone released from the lower digestive tract that stimulates insulin secretion, suppresses glucagon secretion, and decreases hunger. GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) mimics the action of endogenous GLP-1, consequently reversing hyperglycemia and causing weight reduction, demonstrating its efficacy as an antidiabetic and antiobesity agent. Previously restricted to injection only, the invention of the absorption enhancer sodium N-(8-[2-hydroxybenzoyl]amino) caprylate resulted in the development of oral semaglutide, the first ingestible GLP-1RA. Oral semaglutide demonstrated its efficacy in glycemic management and body weight loss with a low risk of hypoglycemia as a monotherapy and in combination with other hypoglycemic medications in its clinical trial programs named Peptide Innovation for Early Diabetes Treatment. Consistent with other injectable GLP-1RAs, gastrointestinal side effects were often reported. Additionally, cardiovascular safety was established by demonstrating that oral semaglutide was not inferior to placebo in terms of cardiovascular outcomes. Thus, oral semaglutide represents a novel treatment option that is particularly well-suited for patients with type 2 diabetes and/or obesity.
  • 1.1K
  • 13 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Osteoporosis after Sleeve Gastrectomy and Roux-En-Y-gastric Bypass
Obesity has become a worldwide epidemic accompanied by adverse health effects. The limited efficiency of traditional weight reduction regimens has led to a substantial increase in the use of bariatric surgery. Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and Roux-en-Y-gastric bypass (RYGB) are the most used procedures. Preoperatively, the dietary habits of obese individuals might lead to deficiencies in vitamin D and other nutrients affecting bone mineral metabolism. Bariatric surgery with SG or RYGB can aggravate these deficiencies. The various surgical procedures appear to affect nutrient absorption differently. Being purely restrictive, SG may particularly affect the absorption of vitamin B12 and also vitamin D. In contrast, RYGB has a more profound impact on the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and other nutrients, although both surgical methods induce only a mild protein deficiency. Despite adequate supplementation of calcium and vitamin D, osteoporosis may still occur after the surgery. This might be due to deficiencies in other micronutrients, e.g., vitamin K and zinc. Regular follow-ups with individual assessments and nutritional advice are indispensable to prevent osteoporosis and other adverse postoperative issues.
  • 330
  • 21 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Osteoporosis/Sarcopenia in Chronic Liver Disease
The prevalence of osteoporosis and sarcopenia is significantly higher in patients with liver disease than in those without liver disease and osteoporosis and sarcopenia negatively influence morbidity and mortality in liver disease.
  • 491
  • 27 Apr 2021
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