A Noxious Factor in the Faecal Stream

We have seen how budesonide can restore normal collagen layer thickness. A remarkably similar effect occurs when the faecal stream is diverted by ileostomy.

Collagenous colitis and fecal stream diversion Järnerot, Gunnar et al. Gastroenterology 1995 Aug;109(2):449-55.

Another study of a patient with severe collagenous colitis confirms that temporary faecal stream diversion restores the mucosal structure but relapses after the ileostomy is reversed. The authors hypothesise that a luminal toxic agent triggers the onset of CC

Münch A, Söderholm JD, Wallon C, et al Dynamics of mucosal permeability and inflammation in collagenous colitis before, during, and after loop ileostomy Gut 2005;54:1126-1128.

We now look at the possibility that bile acid could be a noxious factor.