A study looking at the effect of dietary fish oils on Helicobacter-induced colitis and colitis-associated

colon cancer was also undertaken using the Smad3 model [51]. Contrary to expectation, mice consuming diet containing the dietary fish oils showed higher levels of inflammation and dysplasia, indicating that they were less equipped to mount a successful response against H. hepaticus. The potential use of polysulfated polysaccharides to prevent enterohepatic C646 Helicobacters adherence to host cells was also investigated [52]. The importance of sulfated heparin was clearly demonstrated to inhibit adherence of the Helicobacter species, with fucoidan seen to be the most effective at impairing adherence by all Helicobacter tested. Two molecular genus-specific methods were developed to detect Helicobacter spp. in human colonic tissue. Examining FISH and PCR analyses

on 109 colonic biopsy samples revealed a correlation rate of 68%. In a large proportion of cases, the discordant results were on account of FISH yielding positive results as opposed to PCR, suggesting that it may be a more sensitive test [30]. A Western blot analysis to detect antibodies against H. hepaticus in sera was also described [25]. A triplex PCR was developed allowing the detection MI-503 order of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, H. hepaticus, and Salmonella Typhimurium in mice. All three bacteria were successfully detected in liver, feces, and cecum of experimentally infected mice [53]. A commercially available colorimetric fecal dipstick assay for the detection of H. hepaticus was also evaluated in mice but was shown to lack sensitivity Glycogen branching enzyme [54]. McIntosh et al. [55] modified the urea concentration and pH indicator of a urease test to improve the in situ detection and localization

of non-H. pylori Helicobacters, however without exact species identification. An 8-week treatment of a commercial 4-drug diet containing amoxicillin, clarithromycin, metronidazole, and omeprazole showed promising results in eradicating Helicobacter spp. from immunocompromised mice [56]. In conclusion, significant advances have been made over the last year in “other than H. pylori” Helicobacter research especially in the elucidation of their immunogenic potential. This provides huge potential to continue to elucidate the role of these organisms in health and disease. The authors have declared no conflicts of interest. “
“Background:  We examine the effect of eradicating Helicobacter in idiopathic parkinsonism (IP). Marked deterioration, where eradication-therapy failed, prompted an interim report in the first 20 probands to reach de-blinding. The null-hypothesis, “eradication has no effect on principal outcome, mean stride length at free-walking speed,” was rejected. We report on study completion in all 30 who had commenced post-treatment assessments.