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Equine Enteric Glial Culture and Application to the Study of a Neural Inflammatory Mechanism in Equine Colic
Published on: October 4, 2024
Enteric neuroglial apoptosis in inflammatory bowel diseases
Gabrio Bassotti1, Vincenzo Villanacci, Riccardo Nascimbeni
1Gastroenterology and Hepatology Section, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Italy.
Journal of Crohn'S & Colitis
|December 22, 2010
Summary
Apoptosis affects enteric neurons and glia in inflammatory bowel diseases. These programmed cell death changes may explain enteric nervous system dysfunction in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Enteric nervous system (ENS) abnormalities are observed in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).
- The underlying mechanisms driving these ENS alterations in IBD are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of apoptosis in enteric neurons and enteroglial cells in IBD patients.
- To determine if programmed cell death contributes to ENS dysfunction in IBD.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of surgical specimens from 19 IBD patients (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) and controls.
- Immunohistochemical methods were used to assess enteric neurons, enteroglial cells, and apoptosis/necrosis.
Main Results:
- Crohn's disease: Increased apoptotic enteric neurons and enteroglial cells in ileal segments.
- Ulcerative colitis: Decreased apoptotic enteric neurons but increased apoptotic enteroglial cells in colonic segments.
Conclusions:
- Apoptotic processes involve both enteric neurons and enteroglial cells in IBD.
- These apoptotic phenomena may contribute to ENS abnormalities observed in inflammatory bowel diseases.
- Further research is needed to clarify the precise role in IBD pathophysiology.
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