Publicaties

Introduction Colonic high-resolution manometry (HRM) is a novel, not widely used diagnostic method used in the final workup of chronic constipation before surgery. Since its introduction, different motor patterns have been defined. However, it remains to be established whether these patterns are easily and reproducibly identified by different investigators. Methods The primary aim of this study was to determine agreement for motor pattern ...

Intestinal proteases mediate digestion and immune signalling, while increased gut proteolytic activity disrupts the intestinal barrier and generates visceral hypersensitivity, which is common in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, the mechanisms controlling protease function are unclear. Here we show that members of the gut microbiota suppress intestinal proteolytic activity through production of unconjugated bilirubin. This occurs via ...

BackgroundIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder for which no diagnostic tools are currently available. Patients are diagnosed using the Rome IV criteria and subtyped into a diarrhea, constipation, or mixed phenotype based on their dominant stool pattern. A recent development in the biomarker area is the analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of VOCs as ...

Mucins are the gatekeepers of the mucosal barrier of the gastrointestinal tract and are aberrantly expressed in various gastrointestinal pathologies, including pathogen infection, inflammation, and uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. Although several studies have emphasised the role of mucins in dysfunction of the gastrointestinal mucosal barrier, they are often still considered to be passive mediators of this barrier instead of ...

IntroductionMalignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a lethal cancer for which early-stage diagnosis remains a major challenge. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in breath proved to be potential biomarkers for MPM diagnosis, but translational studies are needed to elucidate which VOCs originate from the tumor itself and thus are specifically related to MPM cell metabolism. MethodsAn in vitro model was set-up to characterize the headspace VOC ...

Background & Aims: Intrahepatic vascular resistance is increased in early non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), potentially leading to tissue hypoxia and triggering disease progression. Hepatic vascular hyperreactivity to vasoconstrictors has been identified as an underlying mechanism. This study investigates vasoconstrictive agonism and antagonism in 2 models of early NAFLD and in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Methods: The ...

Anal cancer is an uncommon malignancy, comprising only 2.5% of all gastrointestinal malignancies and similar to cervical cancer, the human papillomavirus (HPV) is responsible for the majority of anal cancers. Over the last decades there has been an up to 3-fold increased incidence seen in specific populations at risk such as persons living with HIV (PLWH), men who have sex with men (MSM), woman diagnosed with HPV-related gynaecological ...

Extra-nodal localisations of mantle cell lymphomas are most frequently found in the gastrointestinal tract. It is therefore important for an endoscopist to be familiar with the endoscopic image of a mantle cell lymphoma. In this case series of three patients with colonic involvement of mantle cell lymphoma, we discuss the endoscopic diagnosis. (Acta gastroenterol. belg., 2022, 85, 632-634).

Introduction and hypothesis Women with a symptomatic rectocele may undergo different trajectories depending on the specialty consulted. This survey aims to evaluate potential differences between colorectal surgeons and gynecologists concerning the management of a rectocele. Methods A web-based survey was sent to abdominal surgeons (CS group) and gynecologists (G group) asking about their perceived definition, diagnostic workup, multidisciplinary ...

Background: Serine proteases are believed to play a key role in the origin of abdominal pain in IBD and IBS. We previously demonstrated a reduction of visceral pain in a post-inflammatory IBS rat model after a single intraperitoneal or intracolonic administration of a serine protease inhibitor. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of serine protease inhibition on visceral pain in two different animal models involving a colonic ...