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Introduction

Decreased vagus nerve activity and increased inflammatory immune cells are observed in ulcerative colitis (UC) (1, 2). Due to its anti-inflammatory and protective properties, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has garnered attention for UC therapy (3). Non-invasive transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (NitaVNS), devoid of the side effects associated with invasive techniques, demonstrates protective anti-inflammatory effects in our mouse UC-like model of colitis (4), although the specific cellular mechanisms remain unclear.

Aims & Methods

To evaluate the effects of NitaVNS on the distribution of granulocytes, macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells, and CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells in the colon tissue, spleen, and mesenteric lymph nodes of a UC-like colitis mouse model, NitaVNS was administered to C57BL/6 male mice daily for 10 min, beginning one day before colitis induction with 5% dextran sulfate sodium for 5 days in water (the control group received regular water). This continued until the end of the study, with no stimulation in sham mice. The daily disease activity index (DAI) was evaluated along with distal macroscopic scores at the time of sacrifice. The frequencies of granulocytes (Ly6G), macrophages (F4/80), NK cells (NK1.1), CD4⁺ T cells (CD3, CD4), and CD8⁺ T cells (CD3, CD8) were analyzed in the cecum, proximal, mid and distal colon, spleen, and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) using flow cytometry.

Results

NitaVNS in colitic mice significantly improved the DAI and macroscopic scores related to rectal bleeding, colon bleeding, fecal consistency loss, and shortened colon length compared to sham-stimulated colitic mice. In contrast, no changes were observed in the non-colitic mice. While NitaVNS did not alter the frequency of Ly6G⁺ cells in the cecum, mid/distal colon, and MLNs, it significantly decreased the positivity of these cells in the proximal colon and spleen of mice with colitis without affecting non-colitic mice. NitaVNS significantly decreased the frequency of F4/80⁺ cells in the mid-colon but did not influence these cells in the cecum, proximal and distal colon, spleen, or MLNs. In colitic conditions, NitaVNS significantly increased NK cell frequency in the spleen without affecting non-colitic mice. Moreover, NitaVNS did not alter the frequency of NK cells in the colon or MLNs in colitic or non-colitic mice. Additionally, NitaVNS did not induce changes in CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cell distribution in the colon tissue, spleen, or mesenteric lymph nodes of colitic and non-colitic mice.

Conclusion

These results suggest that NitaVNS could potentially reduce inflammation in colitic mice, locally and systemically, by decreasing the frequency of granulocytes in the colon and spleen and colonic macrophages. Additionally, NitaVNS increased the number of splenic NK cells, potentially contributing to its systemic effects. These findings indicate promising therapeutic potential for NitaVNS.

References

1. Ghia JE, Blennerhassett P, Kumar-Ondiveeran H, Verdu EF, Collins SM. The vagus nerve: a tonic inhibitory influence associated with inflammatory bowel disease in a murine model. Gastroenterology. 2006;131(4):1122-30.
2. Wiese JJ, Manna S, Kühl AA, Fascì A, Elezkurtaj S, Sonnenberg E, Bubeck M, Atreya R, Becker C, Weixler B, Siegmund B, Patankar JV, Prüß MS, Schumann M. Myenteric Plexus Immune Cell Infiltrations and Neurotransmitter Expression in Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. J Crohns Colitis. 2024 Jan 27;18(1):121-133.
3. Verma N, Mudge JD, Kasole M, Chen RC, Blanz SL, Trevathan JK, Lovett EG, Williams JC, Ludwig KA. Auricular Vagus Neuromodulation-A Systematic Review on Quality of Evidence and Clinical Effects. Front Neurosci. 2021 Apr 30;15:664740.
4. Hesampour F, Tshikudi D, Veysel Özden A, Bernstein CN, Ghia JE. A54 The impact of non-invasive transcutaneous auricular nerve stimulation (NitaVNS) on the development of experimental colitis in mice. J Can Assoc Gastroenterol. 2023 Mar 7;6(Suppl 1):30.

Disclosure

F. Hesampour: None Declared, D. Tshikudi: None Declared, A. Veysel Özden: The employee of the company providing the stimulator, C. N. Bernstein: None Declared, J-E. Ghia: None Declared.

NON-INVASIVE TRANSCUTANEOUS AURICULAR VAGUS NERVE STIMULATION (NITAVNS) DEMONSTRATES SPATIALLY SPECIFIC REGULATION OF IMMUNE CELL DISTRIBUTION IN A PRECLINICAL MODEL OF ULCERATIVE COLITIS

Fatemeh Hesampour 1, Diane Tshikudi 1, Ali Veysel Özden 2, Charles N. Bernstein 3, Jean-Eric Ghia 4

1 University Of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada

2 Bahcesehir University, Istanbul, Turkey|||Vagustim, Istanbul, Turkey

3 University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada|||University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada

4 University Of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada|||University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada|||University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada|||Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada

Conference

UEG Week Vienna 2024

Topics

IBD

Submission format

Abstract

Session

Identifying drug targets in IBD: Part 1 (Posters)

Citation

United European Gastroenterology Journal 2024; 12 (Supplement 8)

Published

2024

UEG Standards and Guidelines

Consensus

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Abstract

Background

The incidence and prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] have increased significantly in low- and middle-income countries [LMICs] in recent decades. Managing IBD in these settings presents substantial challenges. This consensus aims to describe the epidemiology of IBD in LMICs and to highlight the key challenges in its diagnosis and treatment.

Method

The consensus-defining strategy followed the previous European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation [ECCO] consensus guidelines [available at www.ecco-ibd.eu]. The authors reviewed the available evidence and formulated statements accordingly. Provisional ECCO statements and supporting text were drafted based on a comprehensive literature review and further refined through two voting rounds, which included external reviewers and national representatives from ECCO’s 36 member countries. The final ECCO statements, representing a consensus of at least 80% agreement among participants, were approved during an online meeting. Consensus statements should be interpreted in context with their accompanying commentary rather than in isolation and should not be used solely to guide patient management. The supporting text was finalized under the guidance of each working group leader [VP, HY, TK, AH] and subsequently integrated by the consensus leader [AE].

Results

Data on IBD epidemiology in LMICs remain limited. Public and healthcare professional awareness and timely access to early diagnostic modalities, advanced medical and surgical therapies, and specialist multidisciplinary care are key gaps in IBD care in LMICs. The complexity and chronic nature of IBD, along with the necessity for a multidisciplinary approach, pose significant challenges to adopting a holistic management strategy in LMICs.

Conclusion

There is a critical need for further studies to assess the specific needs of LMICs. Such research will help guide resource allocation and improve IBD management in these settings.

ECCO Consensus on management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in low-and middle-income countries

Alaa El-Hussuna

Publisher

European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation

Guideline

Consensus

Topics

IBD

Citation

Journal of Crohn's and Colitis; 2025

Published

2025

UEG Standards and Guidelines

Clinical Practice Guideline

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Introduction

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), requires meticulous diagnostic and monitoring protocols to optimize patient outcomes. This document synthesizes key advancements and recommendations for clinical indices, endoscopic scoring, imaging, histological assessment, and tools for evaluating IBD disability. Emphasizing validated, reproducible methods aligns with the ongoing evolution of precision medicine in IBD care, including training. The methodology of the guidelines update process is described in part 1.

ECCO-ESGAR-ESP-IBUS Guideline on Diagnostics and Monitoring of Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Part 2: IBD scores and general principles and technical aspects

Henit Yanai

Publisher

European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation

Guideline

Clinical Practice Guideline

Topics

IBD

Citation

Journal of Crohn's and Colitis, Volume 19, Issue 7

Published

2025

UEG Standards and Guidelines

Clinical Practice Guideline

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MAIN RECOMMENDATIONS

ESGE recommends the combination of endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition (EUS-TA) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)-based tissue acquisition as the preferred diagnostic approach for tissue acquisition in patients with jaundice and distal extrahepatic biliary stricture in the absence of a pancreatic mass.
ESGE suggests that brushing cytology should be completed along with fluoroscopy-guided biopsies, wherever technically feasible, in patients with perihilar biliary strictures.
ESGE suggests EUS-TA for perihilar strictures when ERCP-based modalities yield insufficient results, provided that curative resection is not feasible and/or when cross-sectional imaging has shown accessible extraluminal disease.
SGE suggests using standard ERCP diagnostic modalities at index ERCP. In the case of indeterminate biliary strictures, ESGE suggests cholangioscopy-guided biopsies, in addition to standard ERCP

Diagnostic work-up of bile duct strictures: European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) Guideline

Antonio Facciorusso

Publisher

European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

Guideline

Clinical Practice Guideline

Topics

Endoscopy

Citation

Endoscopy 2025; 57: 166-185

Published

2024

UEG Standards and Guidelines

Consensus

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Abstract

Objectives

To provide a consensus statement and recommendations on MR imaging in primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC).

Methods

The European Society of Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Radiology (ESGAR) convened a multinational European panel of experts selected based on a literature review and their leadership in the field. A modified Delphi process was adopted to draft a list of statements. For each statement, the panelists indicated the level of agreement using a 5-point Likert scale, where 1 means “no agreement,” 2 means “poor agreement,” 3 means “slight agreement,” 4 means “fair agreement,” and 5 means “complete agreement.” The median score for each statement was collected. The level of evidence was reported according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine. Descriptive statistics were used to rate agreement levels and the consensus’ internal reliability.

Results

The 12 voting committee members were from Italy (n = 4, 33.4%), Austria (n = 2, 16.7%), Sweden (n = 1, 8.3%), France (n = 1, 8.3%), the United States (n = 1, 8.3%), Switzerland (n = 1, 8.3%), and Belgium (n = 2, 16.7%). The final questionnaire consisted of 55 statements. The agreement reached by the expert panel was complete for 23 statements (41.8%), fair for 16 (29.1%), slight for 15 (27.2%), and poor for 1 (1.9%). Statements that received complete agreement were used to structure a reporting template.

Conclusions

This statement paper recommends how and when to perform MRI in PSC patients. A structured reporting template has been created to improve quality care and communication among radiologists and clinicians.

Key Points

Question A standard MR protocol and the most common imaging features to be reported are fundamental for the correct evaluation of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) patients.

Findings Twelve expert radiologists reported which are the most important imaging features and how and when to perform MR in PSC patients.

Clinical relevance The identified statements reported in this paper and the structured reporting template are useful for radiologists and clinicians to help correctly manage PSC patients.

ESGAR consensus statement on MR imaging in primary sclerosing cholangitis

Davide Ippolito

Publisher

European Society of Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Radiology

Guideline

Consensus

Topics

Radiology & Imaging

Citation

Eur Radiol (2025)

Published

2025

UEG Standards and Guidelines

Consensus

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INTRODUCTION

Diet is gaining recognition amongst clinicians, researchers, and the inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] community as a potential modifier to change the course of the disease. The role of diet in the management of IBD has evolved beyond adjustment for nutritional needs and is now applied as therapy to influence disease activity and complications. With growing recognition of diet, there is a demand for high-quality dietary research to guide practice and consideration on where to best position diet in the treatment paradigm. This has led to the commissioning of this first European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation [ECCO] consensus on dietary management of IBD, with the goal of providing evidence-based recommendations to guide clinical practice.

ECCO Consensus on Dietary Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Vaios Svolos

Publisher

European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation

Guideline

Consensus

Topics

IBD

Citation

Journal of Crohn's and Colitis, 2025

Published

2025

UEG Standards and Guidelines

Clinical Practice Guideline

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Abstract

The current consensus guideline offers a comprehensive and practical guidance on the diagnostic and monitoring of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It provides recommendations on requirements for initial diagnosis, detection of complications, the use of monitoring tools in patients with IBD and diagnostics in specific situations, such as pregnancy, postoperatively and for cancer surveillance. The guideline is a joint project of the European Crohn’s and Colitis Organization (ECCO), the European Society of Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Radiology, the European Society of Pathology, and the International Bowel Ultrasonography Group under the leadership of ECCO.

ECCO-ESGAR-ESP-IBUS Guideline on Diagnostics and Monitoring of Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Part 1: initial diagnosis, monitoring of known inflammatory bowel disease, detection of complications

Torsten Kucharzik

Publisher

European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation

Guideline

Clinical Practice Guideline

Topics

IBD

Citation

Journal of Crohn's and Colitis, Volume 19, Issue 7

Published

2025

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