Epidemiology of Gallstones
Gallstones are common with prevalences as high as 60% to 70% in American Indians and 10% to 15% in white adults of developed countries. Ethnic differences abound with a reduced…
Pharmabiotic Manipulation of the Microbiota in Gastrointe stinal Disorders, from Rationale to Reality
The viewpoints of enthusiasts and skeptics in relation to the role of probiotics should not be allowed to distract clinicians from the bigger issue, which is the pivotal role of…
Therapeutic Potential of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors in Chronic Inflammation and Colorectal Cancer
Peroxisome proliferatoreactivated receptors (PPARs) are members of the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily and have been implicated in a variety of physiologic and pathologic processes, such as nutrient metabolism, energy homeostasis,…
New Pharmacologic Therapies in Gastrointestinal Disease
Many gastrointestinal diseases remain poorly responsive to therapies, and even in the cases of conditions for which there are many effective drugs, there is still considerable room for improvement. This…
Clinical Pharmacology of Portal Hypertension
Portal hypertension is an increase in pressure in the portal vein and its tributaries. It is defined as a portal pressure gradient (the difference in pressure between the portal vein…
New Pharmacologic Therapies in Chronic Hepatitis B
Approximately 350 million persons worldwide are chronically infected with hepatitis B, which can result in cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Currently, 2 interferons and 5 nucleos(t)ide analogues have been…
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Peginterferon and Ribavirin: Implications for Clinical Efficacy in the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis C
The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of standard interferon alfa-2a and interferon alfa-2b are substantially altered by pegylation. The size, geometry, and site of attachment of the PEG moiety affect the pharmacokinetics…
The Gastrointestinal Complications of Oncologic Therapy
A spectrum of oncologic treatments including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and molecular targeted therapies is available to combat cancer. These treatments are associated with adverse effects in several organ systems including the…
Targeted Therapeutic Agents for Colorectal Cancer
The treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC) has evolved substantially during the past decade with the advent of molecular targeted therapies. Inhibitors to the vascular endothelial growth factor and epidermal growth…
New Pharmacologic Therapies for Gastroenteropancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors
Successful treatment of unresectable and metastatic gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) requires the thoughtful choice of systemic therapy as a component of a multidisciplinary therapeutic approach. The role of somatostatin analogues…
