Entomotoxic Activity of the Extracts from the Fungus, Alternaria tenuissima and Its Major Metabolite, Tenuazonic Acid

The study of fungal antibiotics in their competitive interactions with arthropods may lead to the development of novel biorational insecticides. Extracts of Alternaria tenuissima MFP253011 obtained using various methods showed a wide range of biological activities, including entomotoxic properties. Analysis of their composition and bioactivity allowed us to reveal several known mycotoxins and unidentified compounds that may be involved in the entomotoxic activity of the extracts. Among them, tenuazonic acid (TeA), which was the major component of the A. tenuissima extracts, was found the most likely to have larvicidal activity against Galleria mellonella. In the intrahaemocoel injection bioassay, TeA was toxic to G. mellonella and of Zophobas morio with an LT50 of 6 and 2 days, respectively, at the level of 50 µg/larva. Administered orally, TeA inhibited the growth of G. mellonella larvae and caused mortality of Acheta domesticus adults (LT50 7 days) at a concentration of 250 µg/g of feed. TeA showed weak contact intestinal activity against the two phytophages, Tetranychus urticae and Schizaphis graminum, causing 15% and 27% mortality at a concentration of 1 mg/mL, respectively. TeA was cytotoxic to the Sf9 cell line (IC50 25 µg/mL). Thus, model insects such as G. mellonella could be used for further toxicological characterization of TeA.

Entomotoxic Activity of the Extracts from the Fungus, Alternaria tenuissima and Its Major Metabolite, Tenuazonic Acid

Study of fungal antibiotics in their competitive interactions with arthropods may lead to development novel biorational insecticides. Extracts of Alternaria tenuissima MFP253011 obtained by various methods showed a wide range of biological activity, including entomotoxic properties. Analysis of their composition and bioactivity allowed to reveal several known mycotoxins and unidentified compounds that may be involved in entomotoxic activity of the extracts. Among them, tenuazonic acid (TeA), which was the major component of the A. tenuissima extracts, was found the most likely to have larvicidal activity against Galleria mellonella. In the intrahaemocoel injection bioassay, TeA was toxic to G. mellonella and of Zophobas morio with LT50 6 and 2 days, respectively, at the level of 50 µg/larva. Administered orally, TeA inhibited growth of G. mellonella larvae and caused mortality of Acheta domesticus imagines (LT50 7 days) at a concentration of 250 µg/g of feed. TeA showed weak contact-intestinal activity against the two phytophages, Tetranychus urticae and Schizaphis graminum, causing the 12 and 40% of mortality at a concentration of 1 mg/mL. TeA was cytotoxic to Sf9 cell line (IC50 25 µg/mL). Thus, model insect G. mellonella and cell line Sf9 could be used for a further toxicological characterization of TeA.

Ethanol Extract of Spondias mombin L. Leaves Exhibits Antidiarrhoeal Activity by Stimulation of Na+–K+ ATPase, Inhibition of Prostaglandins or Suppression of Nitric Oxide

This study was to justify the acclaimed antidiarrhoeal activity of ethanol extract of Spondias mombin leaves (EESML) and to suggest probable mechanism of action.EESML was screened for its secondary metabolites. The diarrhoeal models involved randomized Wistar rats in 5 groups of 6 animals each. Animals in groups A&B (negative and positive control) were treated with normal saline and loperamide respectively while those in groups C, D and E received 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight of EESML respectively.EESML contained saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, steroids, phenolics and glycosides. EESML lengthened the onset time of diarrhoea and as well caused reductions in the number, fresh weight and total number of wet feaces; and increase in the inhibition of defecations. EESML increased the intestinal activity of Na+–K+ ATPase; the concentrations of intestinal Na+, K+, Cl-, total protein and glucose but decreased the concentration of nitric oxide of the diarrhoeal rats. The intestinal fluid concentrations of Na+, K+, Cl- were dose dependently increased by EESML. EESML also increased the length of the small intestine.EESML possess antidiarrhoeal activity owing to the secondary metabolites, ability to enhance Na+–K+ATPase activity and electrolytes as well as suppression of nitric oxide.

Ileocecal valve syndrome and vitamin b12 deficiency after surgery: a multicentric prospective study

Patients undergoing colon resection are often concerned about their functional outcomes after surgery. The primary aim of this prospective, multicentric study was to assess the intestinal activity and health-related quality-of-life (HRQL) after ileocecal valve removal. The secondary aim was to evaluate any vitamin B12 deficiency. The study included patients undergoing right colectomy, extended right colectomy and ileocecal resection for either neoplastic or benign disease. Selected items of GIQLI and EORTC QLQ-CR29 questionnaires were used to investigate intestinal activity and HRQL before and after surgery. Blood samples for vitamin B12 level were collected before and during the follow-up period. The empirical rule effect size (ERES) method was used to explain the clinical effect of statistical results. Linear mixed effect (LME) model for longitudinal data was applied to detect the most important parameters affecting the total score. A total of 158 patients were considered. Applying the ERES method, the analysis of both questionnaires showed clinically and statistically significant improvement of HRQL at the end of the follow-up period. Applying the LME model, worsening of HRQL was correlated with female gender and ileum length when using GIQLI questionnaire, and with female gender, open approach, and advanced cancer stage when using the EORTC QLQ-CR29 questionnaire. No significant deficiency in vitamin B12 levels was observed regardless of the length of surgical specimen. In our series, no deterioration of HRQL and no vitamin B12 deficiency were found during the follow-up period. Nevertheless, warning patients about potential changes in bowel habits is mandatory. In our series, no deterioration of HRQL and no vitamin B12 deficiency were found during the follow-up period. Nevertheless, warning patients about potential changes in bowel habits is mandatory.

GRPR-targeted SPECT imaging using a novel bombesin-based peptide for colorectal cancer detection

The designed novel targeting peptide GB-6 binding to GRPR possesses more favorable pharmacokinetic properties with lower intestinal activity as well as superior tumor-targeting ability in colorectal cancer models than BBN7–14.

P679 What is the best strategy after failure to anti-TNF? Ustekinumab or other anti-TNF?

Background After the appearance of new biologics are more treatment options for first and second-line individualising according to the characteristics of each patient. The efficacy of a second anti-TNF is lower than the initial treatment so a more efficient strategy could change the therapeutic target. Methods We included patients with an established diagnosis of Crohn’s disease who were on second-line biological treatment (ustekinumab or anti-TNF) after failure of a first anti-TNF (adalimumab or infliximab) treatment. Only patients in whom the indication was the ‘induction of remission of inflammatory activity’ so those patients in whom the indication was different from the intestinal activity (intestinal manifestations, perianal disease etc.) were selected were not considered valid for analysis. Patients who had undergone intestinal resection alone were included in the study if the indication of second-line biologic treatment was already established and no recurrence prophylaxis thereof. Results A total of 56 patients with an established diagnosis of Crohn’s disease stable tracking unit EII La Paz Hospital who were treated with second-line ustekinumab (21 patients, 37.5%) or anti-TNF (35 patients were included, 62.5%) for remission induction. Baseline characteristics of patients and their IBD are summarised in Table 1. The duration of biological treatment at the time of analysis was 1.48 years (SD: 1.2) for ustekinumab group and 3.55 years (SD 3.3) for the anti-TNF group. Ustekinumab group in 16/21 (76.2%) achieved clinical remission, 3/21 (14.3%) had no response while achieving remission (note that in one patient occurred exitus otherwise cause adenocarcinoma páncreas- unable to properly assess drug response), 2/21 patients (9.5%) did not answer. In the group of anti-TNF, 15/35 patients (42.8%) achieved clinical remission, 12/35 patients (34.3%) had response without remission, 8/35 patients (22.9%) No response. These differences between groups reached statistical significance (p = 0.015). Among patients who achieved a response / clinical remission included those wherein assessed by endoscopy identifying intestinal activity no statistically significant differences between groups vs. anti-TNF ustekinumab both SESCD (average 2 vs. 6.3 p = 0, 39) to the Ruttgerts in (mean 2.5 vs. 2, p = 0.67) postsurgical stage. Regarding the response/biological remission found no significant differences in CRP between ustekinumab and anti-TNF (4.55 vs. 5.79, p = 0.68) or with fecal calprotectin (276.25 vs. 268.82, p = 0.94). Conclusion In our experience, the second-line treatment with ustekinumab after the failure of a first anti-TNF has better remission rates and response to treatment with a second anti-TNF.

Diagnostic utility of linked color imaging in the evaluation of colonic mucosal inflammation in ulcerative colitis: a pilot study

Background and aims Recent studies recommend histological mucosal healing of intestinal tissue as a treatment goal in ulcerative colitis (UC). Linked-color imaging (LCI) is a new endoscopy system that enhances the color differences of the gastrointestinal mucosa. We investigated the efficacy of LCI in the evaluation of intestinal activity, including the histological activity in UC. Method A total of 21 UC patients who were evaluated by the LASEREO system (FUJIFILM Co., Tokyo, Japan) were enrolled from August to December in 2016. All of the target points were observed by conventional white-light imaging (WLI) and LCI and biopsied from the region of interest in each view. We quantified the color tones of 73 biopsied points on WLI and LCI using the L*a*b* color value (WLI-L, WLI-a, WLI-b, and LCI-L, LCI-a, LCI-b). We then investigated the relationships among the L*a*b* color values, endoscopic findings, and histological healing. Results The average LCI-a and LCI-b values of patients with high mucosal activity disease were significantly higher than in those with mucosal healing (P < 0.01), and only LCI-a was significantly correlated with the score for histological healing. With regard to the other color values (LCI-L and all WLI values), there were no statistically significant differences in terms of average color value and correlation between patients with high mucosal activity and those with mucosal healing. In addition, the difference in the average color values with LCI and WLI was 7.1 and 3.1, respectively. Conclusion LCI is more useful than WLI for the visualization and evaluation of mucosal inflammation in UC.