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Medical Discovery News - Thinking with your stomach

Tue, 28 May 2013 07:00:00 GMT

Medical Discovery News
By Drs. David Niesel and Norbert Herzog

“The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” New research might amend this common proverb to “the way to a man’s brain is through his stomach.” An article in the “New Scientist” argues that the enteric nervous system (ENS), found in the tissues of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, functions as a second brain of sorts.

Stretching from the mouth to anus, the GI system is approximately 30 feet long and can be divided into the upper (esophagus, stomach and duodenum) and lower (large and small intestine) tracts. This is where digestion occurs, providing metabolic functions and energy to the body. With this complex role, it is not hard to imagine why the GI tract might need its own nervous system.

Like the brain, the ENS consists of different types of neurons as well as glial cells, which provide support and protection for the neurons. The human ENS contains upward of 500 million neurons and an equal number of glial cells, more than all of those in a rodent’s brain. However, the human brain contains 90 billion neurons. The ENS communicates with the brain to control unconscious or autonomic processes, like peristalsis, the wave-like motions that push food through the GI tract.

To accomplish this, the ENS produces hormones and neurotransmitters much like the brain. In fact, the ENS produces as much dopamine (which triggers feelings of reward and pleasure) as the brain and most of the serotonin (which controls mood, appetite and sleep) within the body.

So, if the ENS truly acts as a second brain, then the GI system can affect a person’s moods and sense of well-being. The ENS causes this by transmitting signals to the brain through the vagus nerve. This makes sense, since people typically feel good after enjoying a meal. For example, when rich foods are digested they release fatty acids. The gut detects this, prompting the ENS to send certain signals to the brain. According to brain imaging studies, the brain then releases pleasurable sensations, altering a person’s mood. So it’s no wonder that people crave rich, fatty foods!

On the other hand, people usually eat differently when stressed. Stress can lead to the production of a GI hormone called ghrelin, which causes feelings of hunger and leads to a reduction of anxiety and depression. In experiments, mice subjected to stress sought out fatty foods, which elevated the production of ghrelin. The link between chronic stress and obesity is then a no-brainer.

The main function of the ENS is to monitor the digestion of food and identify threats in what is eaten, such as toxins or infections. So, perhaps listening to the stomach when it comes to choosing meals isn’t all bad. After all, that’s the second brain at work.

Medical Discovery News is a weekly radio and print broadcast highlighting medical and scientific breakthroughs hosted by professor emeritus Norbert Herzog, and professor David Niesel, biomedical scientists at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. Learn more at www.medicaldiscoverynews.com.

Many Texas women getting more invasive breast biopsy

Thu, 23 May 2013 11:31:00 GMT

Too many women in Texas get an invasive surgical breast biopsy instead of the recommended non-invasive fine needle biopsy, a U.S. researcher says. Dr. Taylor Riall, associate professor of surgery at UTMB, and a lead investigator for the study said many women in Texas with an abnormality on a routine mammogram or a lump in a breast end up having a surgical biopsy to find out whether the breast abnormality is malignant. The investigators performed an analysis of Texas Medicare data from 2000 to 2008 of more than 87,000 breast biopsies. The study, published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, found only 40 percent of the women studied ended up having breast malignancies. Thousands of women in Texas had surgery just to find out they did not have cancer, Riall said. The news also appears in Medical News Today and the Galveston County Daily News.

The metabolism miracle for women over 40

Thu, 23 May 2013 11:27:00 GMT

You already know to keep calories and fat in check, but you'll fan the flames of your metabolism by putting another nutrient on your radar: protein, the building block of lean muscle mass. “The amino acids enter your bloodstream and are then absorbed by your muscle tissues and other cells,” says UTMB’s Douglas Paddon-Jones. “Once the amino acids end up in your muscles, your body starts putting them back together — sort of like Legos — into your muscle tissue.”

UTMB gets $5M to study health care for elderly

Thu, 23 May 2013 11:24:00 GMT

UTMB has been awarded a $4.9 million grant to study how to care for and promote the health and well-being of elderly patients. All four of UTMB's schools will participate in the study. Dr. James Goodwin, director of UTMB's Sealy Center on Aging in Galveston, will head up the project. This award comes on the heels of a $1.8 million, five-year grant UTMB researchers in Galveston were awarded to apply methods of gene therapy to pain that arises from malfunctions in the nervous system, known as neuropathic pain.

Given PillCam Seen Winning FDA Approval in ’13: Israel Overnight

Thu, 23 May 2013 11:14:00 GMT

UTMB’s Dr. James Goodwin is cited in this Bloomberg report: Results from Given Imaging Ltd.’s latest clinical study of a pill-sized camera used to identify colon cancer probably will help the Israeli manufacturer secure U.S. regulatory approval this year. Physicians can detect pre-cancerous tumors with PillCam Colon, a capsule-sized camera that’s comparable to a colonoscopy. Pricing of the PillCam Colon will be about $500 per capsule. Colonoscopies can cost $800 to $1,200, Dr. James Goodwin told Bloomberg News in March. Inappropriate use of the procedure may cost about $500 million a year for Medicare, the U.S. health program for the elderly and disabled, he said.

As ER admissions jump, Houston-area providers look for solutions

Thu, 23 May 2013 11:09:00 GMT

Emergency rooms are the most expensive way for patients to seek health care, and despite hospital efforts to shift patients to lower-cost alternatives, ERs are the access point for almost half of all hospital admissions, according to a recent study. UTMB is one of three Houston-area providers with expansion plans in place to provide easily accessible care to patients and reduce ER-related admissions. UTMB announced an urgent care facility to be open evenings and weekends at its specialty care center at Victory Lakes in League City. HBJ previously reported UTMB is building a 142,000-square-foot, $82 million expansion of its Victory Lakes Specialty Care Center to be completed by 2015. The addition would accommodate procedures and surgeries that require a 72-hour stay for patients in the Galveston Bay area. [Note: Paid subscription required.]

Threatwatch: Could a MERS vaccine make people sicker?

Thu, 23 May 2013 11:04:00 GMT

As the number of cases of MERS, the Middle Eastern coronavirus, reaches 40 — with 20 deaths so far — the disease is behaving more and more like its relation, SARS, that killed nearly 800 people worldwide in 2003. However, MERS is not SARS — it binds to a different cell receptor, so the binding site is slightly different. The binding site “is an excellent candidate for vaccine development,” says UTMB’s Chien-Te Tseng, who collaborated on a study of SARS vaccines. But careful testing will be needed to ensure it really doesn't induce a harmful immune reaction, he says.

E.coli, salmonella are common forms of foodborne illnesses

Thu, 23 May 2013 11:02:00 GMT

In this week’s Keeping Kids Healthy column by UTMB Drs. Sally Robinson and Keith Bly: About 100 years ago, typhoid fever, tuberculosis and cholera were some of the most common foodborne illnesses. Now with improved food processing, pasteurization of milk and water treatment, these diseases almost have been eliminated. But today, other bacteria and viruses have become common causes of food borne illnesses.

E.coli, salmonella are common forms of foodborne illnesses

Thu, 23 May 2013 08:52:00 GMT

Keeping Kids Healthy
By Sally Robinson and Keith Bly

Foodborne illnesses are caused by germs or harmful chemicals we eat and drink. Most are caused when certain bacteria, viruses or parasites contaminate food.

Others occur when food is contaminated by harmful chemicals or toxins. Since these infections or chemicals enter the body though the stomach and intestines, the most common symptoms are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal discomfort.

About 100 years ago, typhoid fever, tuberculosis and cholera were some of the most common foodborne illnesses.

Now with improved food processing, pasteurization of milk and water treatment, these diseases almost have been eliminated. But today, other bacteria and viruses have become common causes of food borne illnesses.

Camplyobacter is the most common bacteria causing foodborne diarrhea in the world. These bacteria live in the intestines of birds and often contaminate raw poultry such as chicken.

Eating undercooked chicken or eating food contaminated by juices from raw chicken is a common way to swallow these bacteria.

It causes a diarrhea that is often bloody with fever and cramps. Most people recover without any special treatment. There are rare complications such as arthritis.

Escherichia coli 0157: H7 is frequently referred to in the media as E.coli. E. coli is found in everyone’s colon and most types cause no problems at all.

Certain types can cause serious illness, most commonly diarrhea. Escherichia coli 0157: H7 is one of the types that causes illness and lives in the intestines of cattle.

Humans become ill when they eat food contaminated by the feces of animals infected with these organisms.

Hamburger meat seems to be a common source as has salami, lettuce, alfalfa sprouts, drinking unpasteurized milk and apple juice and contaminated water.

This strain of bacteria can cause severe bloody diarrhea. Most people recover without problems in five to 10 days, but 1 in 20, mostly children, develop severe complications with low blood counts, bleeding and kidney failure.

Another strain of E.coli can cause a severe watery diarrhea. It is very common in developing countries and is spread on unwashed fruits and vegetables, and in drinking water. It is probably responsible for the majority of traveler’s diarrhea.

Salmonella is a bacteria found in the intestines of birds, reptiles and mammals. It can be spread through eating raw poultry, eggs, meat and unwashed fruit.

Most people who swallow these bacteria have fever, diarrhea and cramps. And most get better by themselves without medications.

Some patients, usually those with weakened immune systems, may need hospitalization for fluids and antibiotics.

There are many other foodborne illnesses that are less common.

Treatment for most foodborne illnesses is usually fluid replacement with Pedialyte or Oralyte. Gatorade does not have enough important minerals.

Bismuth subsalicylate or Pepto-Bismol might help slow down the symptoms. Imodium might be used, but if there is fever or blood in the stools, it might make things worse.

If there is fever of more than 101.5 degrees, dizziness, dry mouth, bloody diarrhea or if the diarrhea lasts more than three days, you should see your doctor.

At a glance

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a few simple recommendations for how to decrease the risk of ingesting a foodborne disease.

Cook meat, poultry and eggs thoroughly;

Separate cooked and uncooked foods;

Avoid contamination by not using platters or utensils that have touched raw foods then use them with cooked foods;

Chill leftovers promptly. Don’t leave food out more than 4 hours;

Clean produce. Wash hands before preparing food and immediately after touching raw foods; and

Report suspected foodborne illness to the local health department.

SOURCE: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Sally Robinson is a clinical professor of pediatrics at UTMB Children’s Hospital, and Keith Bly is an associate professor of pediatrics and director of the UTMB Pediatric Urgent Care Clinics. This column isn’t intended to replace the advice of your child’s physician.

UTMB researchers awarded $2M grant to study pain

Tue, 21 May 2013 16:25:00 GMT

Researchers at UTMB have been awarded a $1.8 million, five-year grant to apply methods of gene therapy to pain that arises from malfunctions in the nervous system, known as neuropathic pain. Neuropathic pain is caused by accidental or disease-induced nerve damage and is difficult to treat, said Dr. Volker Neugebauer, co-principal investigator of the grant. Long-term neuropathic pain can cause depression, which further increases the perception of pain. Conventional pain medicines block the pain signal but only for a short time. Neugebauer and co-principal investigator Thomas Green will target a different part of the brain to see if they can prevent the emotions from forming in the first place.