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The maintenance of homeostasis in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is ensured by the presence of the endocannabinoid system (ECS), which regulates important physiological activities, such as motility, permeability, fluid secretion, immunity, and visceral pain sensation. Beside its direct effects on the GI system, the ECS in the central nervous system indirectly regulates GI functions, such as food intake and energy balance. Mounting evidence suggests that the ECS may play an important role in modulating central neurotransmission which affects GI functioning. It has also been found that the interaction between the ECS and microbiota affects brain and gut activity in a bidirectional manner, and a number of studies demonstrate that there is a strong relationship between GI dysfunctions and mood disorders. Thus, microbiota can regulate the tone of the ECS. Conversely, changes in intestinal ECS tone may influence microbiota composition. In this mini-review, we propose the concept of neuro-gastro-cannabinology as a novel and alternative paradigm for studying and treating GI disorders that affect mood, as well as mood disorders that imbalance GI physiology. This concept suggests the use of prebiotics or probiotics for improving the tone of the ECS, as well as the use of phytocannabinoids or endocannabinoid-like molecules, such as palmitoylethanolamide, to restore the normal intestinal microbiota. This approach may be effective in ameliorating the negative effects of GI dysfunctions on mood and/or the effects of mood disorders on digestive health. Keywords: Cannabinoid treatment, Gut-brain axis, Mood disorders, Gastroinstestinal disorders, Probiotics, Endocannabinoid system, Author(s): Fabio Turco [a]; Viola Brugnatelli [a]; Raquel Abalo [b,c,d] Introduction Homeostasis is derived from the ancient Greek words á½[mu]Î¿Î¹Î¿Ï and ÏÏάÏιÏ, meaning 'staying the same'. As a biological concept, [...]

BACKGROUND. An increase in intrahepatic triglyceride (IHTG) is the hallmark feature of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and is decreased by weight loss. Hepatic de novo lipogenesis (DNL) contributes to steatosis in individuals with NAFLD. The physiological factors that stimulate hepatic DNL and the effect of weight loss on hepatic DNL are not clear. METHODS. Hepatic DNL, 24-hour integrated plasma insulin and glucose concentrations, and both liver and whole-body insulin sensitivity were determined in individuals who were lean (n = 14), obese with normal IHTG content (n = 26), or obese with NAFLD (n = 27). Hepatic DNL was assessed using the deuterated water method corrected for the potential confounding contribution of adipose tissue DNL. Liver and whole-body insulin sensitivity was assessed using the hyperinsulinemiceuglycemic clamp procedure in conjunction with glucose tracer infusion. Six subjects in the obese-NAFLD group were also evaluated before and after a diet-induced weight loss of 10%. RESULTS. The contribution of hepatic DNL to IHTG-palmitate was 11%, 19%, and 38% in the lean, obese, and obese-NAFLD groups, respectively. Hepatic DNL was inversely correlated with hepatic and whole-body insulin sensitivity, but directly correlated with 24-hour plasma glucose and insulin concentrations. Weight loss decreased IHTG content, in conjunction with a decrease in hepatic DNL and 24-hour plasma glucose and insulin concentrations. CONCLUSIONS. These data suggest hepatic DNL is an important regulator of IHTG content and that increases in circulating glucose and insulin stimulate hepatic DNL in individuals with NAFLD. Weight loss decreased IHTG content, at least in part, by decreasing hepatic DNL. TRIAL REGISTRATION. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02706262. FUNDING. This study was supported by NIH grants DK56341 (Nutrition Obesity Research Center), DK20579 (Diabetes Research Center), DK52574 (Digestive Disease Research Center), and RR024992 (Clinical and Translational Science Award), and by grants from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation, the College of Natural Resources of UCB, and the Pershing Square Foundation., Introduction Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common complication of obesity and is associated with multiorgan insulin resistance (1, 2), dyslipidemia (high plasma triglyceride [TG] and low HDL cholesterol [...]

Objectives To investigate the outcomes of 34 patients with intestinal failure secondary to advanced peritoneal malignancy on home parenteral nutrition (HPN). Methods A retrospective analysis of all known patients receiving HPN at any time between January 2012 and the 31st March 2020 registered in a high volume peritoneal malignancy surgical centre database. Results The median duration of HPN for all patients was 309.5 days (range 31-2198). Overall 11/34 went on to have multivisceral transplants. Of these 5/11 resumed normal oral intake off HPN, 3 died and 3 required ongoing HPN. Average time on HPN for patients with pseudomyxoma peritonei of appendix origin was 338 days (71-2198) compared with 90 days (31-260) in the group with more aggressive tumours. Conclusions HPN is feasible and effective in selected patients with pseudomyxoma peritonei as either a bridge to transplant or definitive treatment. As expected, patients with more aggressive tumours fare worse., Author(s): David Swain [sup.1] , Gemma Mason [sup.1] , Allison Yates [sup.1] , Sara Burke [sup.1] , Tom Cecil [sup.1] , Faheez Mohamed [sup.1] , Sanjeev Dayal [sup.1] , Alexios [...]

Campylobacter concisus is an emerging enteric pathogen that is associated with inflammatory bowel disease. Previous studies demonstrated that C. concisus is non-saccharolytic and hydrogen gas (H.sub.2) is a critical factor for C. concisus growth. In order to understand the molecular basis of the non-saccharolytic and H.sub.2-dependent nature of C. concisus growth, in this study we examined the pathways involving energy metabolism and oxidative stress defence in C. concisus. Bioinformatic analysis of C. concisus genomes in comparison with the well-studied enteric pathogen Campylobacter jejuni was performed. This study found that C. concisus lacks a number of key enzymes in glycolysis, including glucokinase and phosphofructokinase, and the oxidative pentose phosphate pathway. C. concisus has an incomplete tricarboxylic acid cycle, with no identifiable succinyl-CoA synthase or fumarate hydratase. C. concisus was inferred to use fewer amino acids and have fewer candidate substrates as electron donors and acceptors compared to C. jejuni. The addition of DMSO or fumarate to media resulted in significantly increased growth of C. concisus in the presence of H.sub.2 as an electron donor, demonstrating that both can be used as electron acceptors. Catalase, an essential enzyme for oxidative stress defence in C. jejuni, and various nitrosative stress enzymes, were not found in the C. concisus genome. Overall, C. concisus is inferred to have a non-saccharolytic metabolism in which H.sub.2 is central to energy conservation, and a narrow selection of carboxylic acids and amino acids can be utilised as organic substrates. In conclusion, this study provides a molecular basis for the non-saccharolytic and hydrogen-dependent nature of C. concisus energy metabolism pathways, which provides insights into the growth requirements and pathogenicity of this species. Keywords: Campylobacter concisus, Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter, Hydrogen, Energy, Metabolism, Respiration, Author(s): Melissa Yeow[sup.1], Fang Liu[sup.1], Rena Ma[sup.1], Timothy J. Williams[sup.1], Stephen M. Riordan[sup.2] and Li Zhang[sup.1] Introduction Campylobacter species are fastidious Gram-negative, curved rod-shaped bacteria which require microaerobic to anaerobic [...]