Jae Hee Cheon

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The plant sterol guggulsterone has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. It remains unknown, however, whether guggulsterone is effective for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Therefore, we investigated anti-inflammatory effects of guggulsterone on intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) and on experimental murine colitis models and elucidated its molecular mechanisms. METHODS: Human Caco-2 cells and rat non-transformed IEC-18 cells were stimulated with inte

OBJECTIVES: It is difficult to diagnose intestinal Behçet's disease (BD) due to various extraintestinal manifestations emerging at different time points in the disease course and a lack of reliable diagnostic criteria. We conducted this study to develop and validate novel diagnostic criteria for intestinal BD. METHODS: Experts from three universities generated the preliminary diagnostic criteria for intestinal BD, and a consensus was reached using a modified Delphi method with 13 gastroenterolog

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: To identify the associations of genetic and epigenetic variations in IL-23R and IL-17A with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). METHODS: The promoter and exon regions of IL-23R and IL-17A were analysed in 727 subjects (201 Crohn's disease, 268 ulcerative colitis and 258 healthy controls) using DNA sequencing and denaturing high performance liquid chromatography. Transcription factor binding affinity, IL-17A mRNA expression and methylation of the IL-17A promoter were evaluated

Our large-scale study suggests that retention occurs infrequently during capsule endoscopy. Moreover, a retained capsule might indicate the best intervention for the offending pathology, or it may spontaneously pass in the long run, particularly in patients with less small bowel stricture.

BACKGROUND: There is no disease activity index (DAI) currently available that can objectively assess the disease status of intestinal Behçet's disease (BD). The aim of this study was to develop a novel specific DAI for intestinal BD through a prospective study. METHODS: Items included in the index were produced and graded by experts in intestinal BD. Two separate cohorts of patients (weighting and validation cohorts) with intestinal BD were prospectively enrolled, and their clinical and laborato

Interleukin 33 (IL-33) that signals through the ST2 receptor has emerged as a critical modulator in several inflammatory disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, the precise mechanisms by which IL-33 modulates IBD are controversial. The aim of this study was thus to clarify the role of IL-33 in IBD. The plasma levels of IL-33 were significantly decreased, but soluble ST2 levels were increased in patients with IBD compared to healthy individuals. Moreover, IL-33 restored go

-dependent succinate transporters in macrophages and epithelial cells. Furthermore, we find that fecal and serum succinate concentrations were markedly augmented in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) and corresponded to changes in succinate-metabolizing gut bacteria. Together, our results describe a succinate production and transport pathway that controls the absorption of succinate generated by distinct gut bacteria and its delivery into macrophages. In IBD, this mechanism fails to protect agai

Previously, the diagnosis and management of intestinal Behçet's disease depended upon the expertise of individual clinicians; however, more standardized medical assessments and improved treatment regimens for Behçet's disease patients are evolving.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activation and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress signaling play significant roles in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Thus, we evaluated whether new therapeutic probiotics have anti-colitic effects, and we investigated their mechanisms related to NF-κB and ER-stress pathways. METHODS: Luciferase, nitric oxide, and cytokine assays using HT-29 or RAW264.7 cells were conducted. Mouse colitis was induced using dextran sulfate so