LEPTIN INCREASES THE RISK OF BARRETT’S OESOPHAGUS IN MEN

Obesity is associated with increased risk for several cancers. Based on this, it has been speculated that this association might be due to factors secreted by adipose tissue. Leptin and adiponectin are adipokines that have been found to be associated with several malignancies but the relationship with Barrett’s oesophagus, the precursor of the majority of oesophageal adenocarcinomas, is unknown. In this Australian study, this relationship was investigated. There was a significant, three-fold increased risk of Barrett’s oesophagus among men in the highest quartile of serum leptin (see table) and this persisted after adjustment for reflux symptoms. On the contrary, a tendency towards decreased risk for Barrett’s oesophagus among women with increasing leptin levels was observed. No association with adiponectin was seen. Kendall et al conclude that there is an association between leptin and the presence of Barrett’s oesophagus in men—but not in women—and that this association is not explained by reflux or body mass index. Future studies are needed to determine mechanisms involved in this association.

See pages 10.1136/gut.2007.131243

NORMAL GROWTH RATES DESPITE FAT MALABSORPTION IN CHILDREN AFTER INTESTINAL TRANSPLANTATION

Managing intestinal failure with total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in young children is demanding and intestinal transplantation is an initially attractive alternative. However, development has been slow and many patients are not completely weaned from TPN. This report from Paris of 31 children who survived at least 2 years free of TPN is, therefore, valuable. The median follow up …