Medical therapy for ulcerative colitis

Last year was not a banner year for developments in medical therapy for ulc erative colitis. in contrast to the expansion of therapies for Crohn diseas e, treatment for ulcerative colitis was evolutionary, at best, leading many patients to seek alternative medical approaches. Nevertheless, there have been advances in the application of aminosalicylates and immune modifiers f or ulcerative colitis. Additional, nonconventional approaches include nicot ine, probiotics, dietary therapies, and heparins. Several novel approaches have arisen from animal models, including additional means of inhibiting nu clear factor-kappa B and targeting of tumor necrosis factor-alpha. Curr Opi n Gastroenterol 2000, 16:324-328 (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, In c.