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Several mechanisms that control food intake have been described. As a result, effective appetite suppressants have been developed, and others are being evaluated. Monoamines, amino acids, and peptides all contribute to the control of feeding, and each of the pathways they are part of could contribute to the development of clinically useful drugs for the treatment of obesity.
Distinguishing patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) from those with irritable bowel syndrome can be difficult, and a simple and reliable test that detects intestinal inflammation would be very useful in the clinic. This Review discusses the formation, measurement and intended clinical use of three novel markers of IBD—fecal calprotectin, fecal lactoferrin and luminal nitric oxide.
The choice of therapy for patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been based on the predominant bowel symptom; however, it has proven difficult to identify any optimal single pharmacological therapeutic targets. This Review summarizes current and future therapeutic strategies for the treatment of IBS on the basis of putative pathophysiological models.
The total adipose tissue mass is now defined as a real endocrine organ, thanks to the discovery of adipocytokines. Adipocytokines are involved in many processes, including immune function and regulating energy homeostasis. This Review discusses the role of visceral adipose tissue and adipocytokines in intestinal and mesenteric diseases, with special focus on 'creeping fat' in Crohn's disease and mesenteric panniculitis.