Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0699790 (colon cancer)
 28,837 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

In the digestive tract there is evidence for the presence of high levels of endocannabinoids (anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol) and enzymes involved in the synthesis and metabolism of endocannabinoids. Immunohistochemical studies have shown the presence of CB1 receptors on myenteric and submucosal nerve plexuses along the alimentary tract. Pharmacological studies have shown that activation of CB1 receptors produces relaxation of the lower oesophageal sphincter, inhibition of gastric motility and acid secretion, as well as intestinal motility and secretion. In general, CB1-induced inhibition of intestinal motility and secretion is due to reduced acetylcholine release from enteric nerves. Conversely, endocannabinoids stimulate intestinal primary sensory neurons via the vanilloid VR1 receptor, resulting in enteritis and enhanced motility. The endogenous cannabinoid system has been found to be involved in the physiological control of colonic motility and in some pathophysiological states, including paralytic ileus, intestinal inflammation and cholera toxin-induced diarrhoea. Cannabinoids also possess antiemetic effects mediated by activation of central and peripheral CB1 receptors. Pharmacological modulation of the endogenous cannabinoid system could provide a new therapeutic target for the treatment of a number of gastrointestinal diseases, including nausea and vomiting, gastric ulcers, secretory diarrhoea, paralytic ileus, inflammatory bowel disease, colon cancer and gastro-oesophageal reflux conditions.
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PMID:Cannabinoids and the digestive tract. 1659 88

Pseudomembranous colitis, an antibiotic-associated diarrhea, needs early diagnosis and treatment for the high fatality rate in severe cases. We report a case of pseudomembranous colitis following the use of antibiotics in febrile neutropenia (FN). A 74-year-old man with non-curative resected sigmoid colon cancer was treated with cefepime in FN induced by chemotherapy. Complications of diarrhea were seen on day 2. Paralytic ileus and disseminated intravascular coagulation were also complications. He was diagnosed as pseudomembranous colitis for Clostridium difficile toxin-positive. Vancomycin enemas were administered because oral administrations were impossible, and the effect was provided. Vancomycin enemas are an effective therapy for patients with severe pseudomembranous colitis unable to tolerate oral medications because of ileus.
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PMID:[A case of pseudomembranous colitis with febrile neutropenia induced by chemotherapy and effectively treated by vancomycin enemas]. 2084 56