The objective is to assess the effect of TNF-alpha inhibition on urinary albumin excretion in experimental diabetic rats. Male Wistar rats, 8-week-old, were categorized into four groups, which were the control (n = 9), diabetes (n = 9), infliximab-treated diabetes (n = 10), and FR167653-treated diabetes (n = 9) groups. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of STZ (40 mg/kg). Thereafter, infliximab was injected intraperitoneally once a month (5.5 mg/kg) and FR167653 was administered orally by mixing with the rat chow (0.08%). The effects of infliximab and FR167653 on urinary albumin excretion were observed for 12 weeks. Body weight, blood sugar, 24-h urinary TNF-alpha, and 24-h urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (Ualb/Ucr) levels were determined at 1, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after the STZ-injection. Treatment of rats with STZ caused a significant loss of body weight, as well as polyuria and hyperglycemia within 1 week, while the urinary excretions of albumin and TNF-alpha were increased. Neither infliximab nor FR167653 affected body weight or blood sugar levels, whereas both decreased urinary albumin excretion, together with a modest decrease in the urinary excretion of TNF-alpha. These results suggest a role of TNF-alpha in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy and show that TNF-alpha inhibition is a potential therapeutic strategy.

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An increased prevalence of the association between autoimmune thyroid diseases and ulcerative colitis has been suggested, however, not with Crohn's disease, as only 7 cases of thyroid disease coexisting with Crohn's disease have been reported. Herein, we describe 2 patients with Crohn's disease complicated with Graves' disease or autoimmune thyroiditis, and also review other cases with those complications. Some immunological processes are suggested to be implicated in the pathogenesis of this association, however, the exact mechanism remains unclear.

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