ulcerative colitis

Research by Christopher Peek, PhD, left, Jim Cassat, MD, PhD, and their colleagues reveals how gut inflammation leads to bone loss.
August 25, 2022

Vanderbilt researchers discover how gut inflammation leads to bone loss

Gastrointestinal inflammation, such as occurs in inflammatory bowel disease, triggers the expansion of a population of “bone-eating” cells, leading to bone loss.

By Leigh MacMillan
Jennifer Pilat, left, Sarah Short, PhD, Christopher Williams, MD, PhD, and colleagues are studying a biomarker for assessing disease severity and cancer risk in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
February 4, 2021

Potential biomarker for IBD severity, cancer risk identified

A selenium transport protein produced in the colon may be a novel biomarker for assessing disease severity and cancer risk in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

By Leigh MacMillan
July 19, 2018

Novel insights on “leaky” gut

A protein involved in binding cells together helps maintain the integrity of the intestinal mucosa and plays a protective role in ulcerative colitis.

By Niyati Vachharajani
July 23, 2015

Study explores protein’s role in inflammation-associated cancer

An antioxidant protein may protect against colon cancer that develops in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, suggesting new strategies for reducing colon cancer risk in these patients.

By Leigh MacMillan
April 25, 2014

Increased cell permeability may protect from colitis

Having a “leaky” gut may protect against colitis, a paradoxical finding that alters understanding of the role of cell permeability in intestinal homeostasis and immune regulation.

By Leigh MacMillan
February 6, 2014

Colorectal surgery helps swimmer return to the pool

A diagnosis of ulcerative colitis during his junior year of high school threatened to stop Ryan Burcham’s future as a competitive collegiate swimmer before it could start.

By VUMC News and Communications
March 1, 2013

Target for inflammatory bowel disease

The factor STAT6 appears to play a role in the pathogenesis of an inflammatory bowel disease, suggesting it may be a promising target for new treatments.
By Leigh MacMillan