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Apoptotic colon disease: a new clinico-pathological entity
1Research Laboratory, Karolinska Institute, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden. Carlos.Rubio@onkpat.ki.se
In Vivo (Athens, Greece)
|September 13, 2002
Summary
This study identified significant apoptosis (programmed cell death) in colon crypts of a patient with intractable diarrhea. Researchers propose this finding, termed apoptotic colonic disease, may explain the persistent symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Cell Biology
- Histopathology
Background:
- Intractable diarrhea presents a diagnostic challenge.
- Understanding the cellular mechanisms of gastrointestinal disorders is crucial.
Observation:
- A patient with intractable diarrhea exhibited numerous apoptotic granules at the base of colonic crypts across multiple biopsies.
- These granules stained positive for DNA using the Feulgen reaction.
- TUNEL staining confirmed apoptosis in the nuclei of cells at the crypt base.
Findings:
- The colonic biopsies showed marked cryptal apoptosis without significant inflammation.
- This histological finding is consistent with a previously described condition in non-human primates.
Implications:
- This case suggests that marked cryptal apoptosis may be a cause of intractable diarrhea in humans.
- The proposed designation 'apoptotic colonic disease' warrants further investigation in similar clinical presentations.