Colitis

Steven Townsend, associate professor of chemistry, and Fang Yan, research professor of pediatrics and cell and development biology, have discovered how a sugar in human breast milk mitigates damage to the small intestines caused by chemotherapy-induced mucositis. Read More

Disruption of the integrity of the intestinal lining or epithelium contributes to a “leaky” gut and is a common feature of patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Yash Choksi, Christopher Williams and colleagues found that low levels of a certain protein exacerbated the condition. Read More

Fecal transplants are increasingly being used to treat certain human illnesses and more scientists have begun to research the transplants' effects in animals. Read More

A protein that suppresses a key cancer pathway in the colon may be a potential biomarker for colitis-associated tumors, researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center reported last month in the journal Gut. Read More

An antioxidant protein may protect against colon cancer that develops in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, suggesting new strategies for reducing colon cancer risk in these patients. Read More

New findings suggest a previously unrecognized role for the Sox10 transcription factor in Hirschsprung’s disease, and may lead to improved diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for this disease. Read More

Having a “leaky” gut may protect against colitis, a paradoxical finding that alters understanding of the role of cell permeability in intestinal homeostasis and immune regulation. Read More

The factor STAT6 appears to play a role in the pathogenesis of an inflammatory bowel disease, suggesting it may be a promising target for new treatments. Read More

Berberine, an herbal remedy for diarrhea and intestinal parasites, may be an effective treatment for gastrointestinal inflammatory diseases. Read More

Study suggests a new therapeutic target in ulcerative colitis. Read More

A protein isolated from beneficial bacteria found in yogurt and dairy products could offer a new, oral therapeutic option for inflammatory bowel disorders. Read More