Abnormal rectal endocrine cells in patients with irritable bowel syndrome

Croton tiglium L. seeds ameliorate loperamide-induced constipation via regulating gastrointestinal hormones and gut microbiota before and after processing

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Crotonis Fructus (CF), the seeds of Croton tiglium L., have been commonly used in the treatment of constipation for more than two thousand years in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). CF needs to be processed before clinical use and Crotonis Semen Pulveratum (CP) is the processed cream of CF, which could reduce the drastic purgative action and gastrointestinal damages. However, the mechanism of CF and CP in the treatment of constipation is still unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study was to evaluate the effects of CF and CP on loperamide-induced constipation and the underlying mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The chemical compositions of CF and CP were analyzed by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. Constipated mouse model was established by loperamide (9.6 mg/kg, b.w., i.g.) for two weeks. After successful modeling, the mice were treated with CF or CP (45.5 and 136.5 mg/kg, b.w., i.g.) once a day for seven days. The physiological status, defecation indices, defecation time, and intestinal propulsion rate in mice were measured. Histopathologic examination and serum biochemical parameters were further estimated. 16S rDNA gene sequencing was carried out to characterize the effects of CF and CP on intestinal microbiome structure. Spearman correlation analysis was also performed to explore the association between gut microbiotic abundance and serum indices.

RESULTS

The results verified the therapeutic effects of CF and CP on loperamide-induced constipation. CF and CP could significantly ameliorate the reduction of fecal number, fecal weight, fecal water content, and intestinal propulsion rate in mice with constipation, and the first stool defecation time was also obviously reduced. Moreover, CF and CP could regulate the secretion of gastrointestinal hormones and inflammatory factors induced by constipation. Histopathologic examination showed that CP was superior to CF in relieving pathological injury and inflammatory cell infiltration. According to 16S rDNA sequencing, CF and CP treatment could improve gut microbiota disturbance in mice with constipation and the abundance of opportunistic pathogens such as Parabacteroides, Parasutterella and Bacillus remarkably declined, while the levels of beneficial bacterial such as Candidatus_Arthromitus significantly increased. Besides, CP may play a better role in correcting the intestinal flora disorder than CF, which was more obvious in the high-dose group. In addition, phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of diterpenoids and alkaloids in CF and CP.

CONCLUSIONS

CF and CP could ameliorate loperamide-induced constipation by regulating gastrointestinal hormones secretion, reducing the levels of inflammatory cytokines and improving the disturbance of gut microbiota. Moreover, CP was superior to CF in the enrichment of beneficial bacteria and reduction of harmful bacteria and histopathological damage induced by constipation, which may be related to the changes in the species and content of diterpenoids after processing. The study provides new evidence for the processing mechanism and clinical application of CF and CP.

Enteroendocrine cell regulation of the gut-brain axis

Enteroendocrine cells (EECs) are an essential interface between the gut and brain that communicate signals about nutrients, pain, and even information from our microbiome. EECs are hormone-producing cells expressed throughout the gastrointestinal epithelium and have been leveraged by pharmaceuticals like semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy), terzepatide (Mounjaro), and retatrutide (Phase 2) for diabetes and weight control, and linaclotide (Linzess) to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and visceral pain. This review focuses on role of intestinal EECs to communicate signals from the gut lumen to the brain. Canonically, EECs communicate information about the intestinal environment through a variety of hormones, dividing EECs into separate classes based on the hormone each cell type secretes. Recent studies have revealed more diverse hormone profiles and communication modalities for EECs including direct synaptic communication with peripheral neurons. EECs known as neuropod cells rapidly relay signals from gut to brain via a direct communication with vagal and primary sensory neurons. Further, this review discusses the complex information processing machinery within EECs, including receptors that transduce intraluminal signals and the ion channel complement that govern initiation and propagation of these signals. Deeper understanding of EEC physiology is necessary to safely treat devastating and pervasive conditions like irritable bowel syndrome and obesity.

Involvement of Intestinal Enteroendocrine Cells in Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders

Neurological and psychiatric patients have increased dramatically in number in the past few decades. However, effective treatments for these diseases and disorders are limited due to heterogeneous and unclear pathogenic mechanisms. Therefore, further exploration of the biological aspects of the disease, and the identification of novel targets to develop alternative treatment strategies, is urgently required. Systems-level investigations have indicated the potential involvement of the brain–gut axis and intestinal microbiota in the pathogenesis and regulation of neurological and psychiatric disorders. While intestinal microbiota is crucial for maintaining host physiology, some important sensory and regulatory cells in the host should not be overlooked. Intestinal epithelial enteroendocrine cells (EECs) residing in the epithelium throughout intestine are the key regulators orchestrating the communication along the brain-gut-microbiota axis. On one hand, EECs sense changes in luminal microorganisms via microbial metabolites; on the other hand, they communicate with host body systems via neuroendocrine molecules. Therefore, EECs are believed to play important roles in neurological and psychiatric disorders. This review highlights the involvement of EECs and subtype cells, via secretion of endocrine molecules, in the development and regulation of neurological and psychiatric disorders, including Parkinson’s disease (PD), schizophrenia, visceral pain, neuropathic pain, and depression. Moreover, the current paper summarizes the potential mechanism of EECs in contributing to disease pathogenesis. Examination of these mechanisms may inspire and lead to the development of new aspects of treatment strategies for neurological and psychiatric disorders in the future.

Changes in colonic enteroendocrine cells of patients with irritable bowel syndrome following fecal microbiota transplantation

OBJECTIVES

The aim was to investigate the effect of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) on colonic enteroendocrine cells densities in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study is connected to the REFIT study, a double-blinded placebo-controlled trial to investigate using FMT for IBS treatment. Eighty-three subjects received either donor-FMT or placebo FMT (own feces) by colonoscope to cecum. Biopsies were obtained from sigmoid colon. Ten responders and ten non-responders consented to new biopsy one-year after FMT. Sixteen patients received donor-FMT and four received placebo FMT. Biopsies were immunostained for all of the colonic enteroendocrine cells and were quantified using computerized image analysis.Allocation sequence was revealed after obtaining re-biopsies and cells quantification.

RESULTS

Scores for IBS-SSS (mean ± SEM) of responders (eight of 10 patients who received donor FMT) and non-responders changed from baseline to one year after FMT (297 ± 11 and 81 ± 16, p < .0001, and 270 ± 17 and 291 ± 16, p = .15, respectively). Using paired t-test to compare enteroendocrine cells densities one-year after FMT to baseline showed significant increase only in somatostatin immunoreactive cells density in the total IBS responders group (p = .023) and who received donor-FMT (p = .038). The densities of peptide YY and enteroglucagon immunoreactive cells increased significantly (p = .04 and .035, respectively) in donor-FMT recipients. No significant changes were noted in placebo FMT or nonresponders subgroups.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that colonic enteroendocrine cells densities significantly change in responders group that received donor-FMT. The mechanisms for the cross talks between gut microbiota and colonic enteroendocrine cells remain to be investigated.

Global Research Trends in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Bibliometric and Visualized Study

Background

There are about 10–23% of adults worldwide suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Over the past few decades, there are many aspects of uncertainty regarding IBS leading to an ongoing interest in the topic as reflected by a vast number of publications, whose heterogeneity and variable quality may challenge researchers to measure their scientific impact, to identify collaborative networks, and to grasp actively researched themes. Accordingly, with help from bibliometric approaches, our goal is to assess the structure, evolution, and trends of IBS research between 2007 and 2022.

Methods

The documents exclusively focusing on IBS from 2007 to 2022 were retrieved from the Science Citation Index Expanded of the Web of Science Core Collection. The annual productivity of IBS research, and the most prolific countries or regions, authors, journals and resource-, intellectual- and knowledge-sharing in IBS research, as well as co-citation analysis of references and keywords were analyzed through Microsoft Office Excel 2019, CiteSpace, and VOSviewer.

Results

In total, 4,092 publications were reviewed. The USA led the list of countries with the most publications (1,226, 29.96%). Mayo Clinic contributed more publications than any other institution (193, 4.71%). MAGNUS SIMREN stood out as the most active and impactful scholar with the highest number of publications and the greatest betweenness centrality value. The most high-yield journal in this field was Neurogastroenterology and motility: the official journal of the European Gastrointestinal Motility Society (275, 6.72%). Gastroenterology had the most co-citations (3,721, 3.60%). Keywords with the ongoing strong citation bursts were chromogranin A, rat model, peptide YY, gut microbiota, and low-FODMAP diet, etc.

Conclusion

Through bibliometric analysis, we gleaned deep insight into the current status of literature investigating IBS for the first time. These findings will be useful to scholars interested in understanding the key information in the field, as well as identifying possible research frontiers.

Peptide YY 3-36 attenuates trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced colitis in mice by modulating Th1/Th2 differentiation

Peptide YY (PYY) 3–36, the main circulatory form of PYY, plays important roles in gastrointestinal motility, secretion, and absorption. However, it is unknown whether PYY 3–36 has underlying functions in colitis. The Crohn’s disease (CD)-like mouse model in which CD is induced by trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) was established and utilized to investigate this potential role for PYY 3–36. The results showed that the expression of colonic mucosal PYY and PYY receptors Y1, Y2, Y4 were significantly increased in mice with TNBS-induced colitis. In vitro, PYY 3–36 remarkably inhibited the production of proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophages. In vivo, a high concentration of PYY 3–36 robustly decreased the weight loss and death rate and attenuated the pathological colon tissue damage observed in mice with TNBS-induced colitis. Further studies uncovered that PYY 3–36 treatment reduced the levels of colon myeloperoxidase (MPO) and both colonic and systemic TNF-α and IL-6 observed in murine colitis. Furthermore, flow cytometric analysis showed PYY 3–36 altered the proportion of Th1/Th2 splenocytes in the disease model of colitis. Collectively, these results suggest that PYY 3–36 may be a promising candidate for the improvement of colitis, reflected by the attenuation of colon inflammatory responses observed in experimental murine colitis.

Differential mRNA Expression in Ileal Mucosal Biopsies of Patients With Diarrhea- or Constipation-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome

INTRODUCTION

Previous studies in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) showed immune activation, secretion, and barrier dysfunction in duodenal, jejunal, or colorectal mucosa. This study aimed to measure ileal mucosal expression of genes and proteins associated with mucosal functions.

METHODS

We measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of 78 genes (reflecting tight junction proteins, chemokines, innate immunity, ion channels, and transmitters) and 5 proteins (barrier, bile acid receptor, and ion exchanger) in terminal ileal mucosa from 11 patients with IBS-diarrhea (IBS-D), 17 patients with IBS-constipation (IBS-C), and 14 healthy controls. Fold changes in mRNA were calculated using 2(-Δ, ΔCT) formula. Group differences were measured using analysis of variance. Protein ratios relative to healthy controls were based on Western blot analysis. Nominal P values (P < 0.05) are reported.

RESULTS

In ileal mucosal biopsies, significant differences of mRNA expression in IBS-D relative to IBS-C were upregulation of barrier proteins (TJP1, FN1, CLDN1, and CLDN12), repair function (TFF1), and cellular functions. In ileal mucosal biopsies, mRNA expression in IBS-C relative to healthy controls was reduced GPBAR1 receptor, myosin light chain kinase (MYLK in barrier function), and innate immunity (TLR3), but increased mRNA expression of cadherin cell adhesion mechanisms (CTNNB1) and transport genes SLC9A1 (Na-H exchanger [NHE1]) and INADL (indirect effect on ion transport).

DISCUSSION

These data support a role of ileal mucosal dysfunction in IBS, including barrier dysfunction in IBS-D and alterations in absorption/secretion mechanisms in IBS-C.

Density of Musashi‑1‑positive stem cells in the stomach of patients with irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects ~12% of the global population. Although the etiology of IBS is not completely understood, several factors are known to serve a pivotal role in its pathophysiology, including genetic factors, diet, the intestinal microbiota, gastrointestinal endocrine cells and low‑grade inflammation. Musashi‑1 is expressed by stem cells and their early progeny, and is used as a stem cell marker. The low density of intestinal endocrine cells in patients with IBS is thought to be caused by decreased numbers of intestinal stem cells and their differentiation into enteroendocrine cells. The present study employed Musashi‑1 as a marker to detect stem cells in the stomach of 54 patients with IBS and 51 healthy subjects. The patients and controls underwent standard gastroscopy, and biopsy samples were taken from the corpus and antrum. Immunohistochemical staining of gastrin, somatostatin and Mushasi‑1 was carried out and semi‑quantified by computerized image analysis. The density (number of positive cells/mm2 epithelium) of gastrin‑positive cells in the controls and patients with IBS were 337.9±560 and 531.0±908 (median ± range; P<0.0001), respectively. For somatostatin‑positive cells, the density reached 364.4±526.0 in the healthy controls and 150.7±514.0 in patients with IBS (P<0.0001). The density of Musashi‑1‑positive cells was defined as the number of cells per gastric or pyloric gland neck. In the corpus, Musashi‑1‑positive cells density reached 3.0±7.0 in the corpus of the healthy controls and 3.8±7.7 in the patients with IBS. Moreover, the corresponding values in the antrum were 6.0±6.0 and 6.0±6.0, respectively. The Musashi‑1‑positive cell density did not differ significantly between the controls and patients with IBS in the corpus or antrum (P=0.4 and 0.3, respectively). These findings indicated that changes in the stomach endocrine cells observed in patients with IBS may not be explained by an abnormality in stem cells like those found in the small and large intestines of these patients.

Possible role of peptide YY (PYY) in the pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder of unknown aetiology for which there is no effective treatment. Although IBS does not increase mortality, it reduces the quality of life and is an economic burden to both the patients themselves and society as a whole. Peptide YY (PYY) is localized in endocrine cells located in the ileum, colon and rectum. The concentration of PYY and the density of PYY cells are decreased in both the colon and rectum but unchanged in the ileum of patients with IBS. The low density of PYY cells in the large intestine may be caused by a decreased number of stem cells and their progeny toward endocrine cells. PYY regulates the intestinal motility, secretion and absorption as well as visceral sensitivity via modulating serotonin release. An abnormality in PYY may therefore contribute to the intestinal dysmotility and visceral hypersensitivity seen in IBS patients. Diet management involving consuming a low-FODMAP diet restores the density of PYY cells in the large intestine and improves abdominal symptoms in patients with IBS. This review shows that diet management appears to be a valuable tool for correcting the PYY abnormalities in the large intestine of IBS patients in the clinic.

Diet in Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Interaction with Gut Microbiota and Gut Hormones

Diet plays an important role not only in the pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but also as a tool that improves symptoms and quality of life. The effects of diet seem to be a result of an interaction with the gut bacteria and the gut endocrine cells. The density of gut endocrine cells is low in IBS patients, and it is believed that this abnormality is the direct cause of the symptoms seen in IBS patients. The low density of gut endocrine cells is probably caused by a low number of stem cells and low differentiation progeny toward endocrine cells. A low fermentable oligo-, di-, monosaccharide, and polyol (FODMAP) diet and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) restore the gut endocrine cells to the level of healthy subjects. It has been suggested that our diet acts as a prebiotic that favors the growth of a certain types of bacteria. Diet also acts as a substrate for gut bacteria fermentation, which results in several by-products. These by-products might act on the stem cells in such a way that the gut stem cells decrease, and consequently, endocrine cell numbers decrease. Changing to a low-FODMAP diet or changing the gut bacteria through FMT improves IBS symptoms and restores the density of endocrine cells.

Role of Gut Microbiota-Gut Hormone Axis in the Pathophysiology of Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

Gut microbiota exert a pivotal influence on various functions including gastrointestinal (GI) motility, metabolism, nutrition, immunity, and the neuroendocrine system in the host. These effects are mediated by not only short-chain fatty acids produced by microbiota but also gut hormones and inflammatory signaling by enteroendocrine and immune cells under the influence of the microbiota. GI motility is orchestrated by the enteric nervous system and hormonal networks, and disturbance of GI motility plays an important role in the pathophysiology of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs). In this context, microbiota-associated mediators are considered to act on specific receptors, thus affecting the enteric nervous system and, subsequently, GI motility. Thus, the pathophysiology of FGIDs is based on alterations of the gut microbiota/gut hormone axis, which have crucial effects on GI motility.

Functions and Signaling Pathways of Amino Acids in Intestinal Inflammation

Intestine is always exposed to external environment and intestinal microorganism; thus it is more sensitive to dysfunction and dysbiosis, leading to intestinal inflammation, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and diarrhea. An increasing number of studies indicate that dietary amino acids play significant roles in preventing and treating intestinal inflammation. The review aims to summarize the functions and signaling mechanisms of amino acids in intestinal inflammation. Amino acids, including essential amino acids (EAAs), conditionally essential amino acids (CEAAs), and nonessential amino acids (NEAAs), improve the functions of intestinal barrier and expressions of anti-inflammatory cytokines and tight junction proteins but decrease oxidative stress and the apoptosis of enterocytes as well as the expressions of proinflammatory cytokines in the intestinal inflammation. The functions of amino acids are associated with various signaling pathways, including mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR), nuclear factor-kappa-B (NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), nuclear erythroid-related factor 2 (Nrf2), general controlled nonrepressed kinase 2 (GCN2), and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2).

Analgesic activity of cynaropicrinon on post-inflammatory irritable bowel syndrome visceral hypersensitivity in a rat model

Visceral hypersensitivity is one of the most common symptoms in patients with post-inflammatory-irritable bowel syndrome (PI-IBS). Enterochromaffin (EC) cells and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) are important in the development of visceral hyperalgesia, and EC cells are influenced by helper T-cell subtype 1 or 2 cytokine predominant environments. In the present study, the analgesic effect of cynaropicrin and its underlying mechanism on the treatment of trinitrobenzene sulfonic (TNBS)-induced PI-IBS visceral hyperalgesia rats was investigated. The results from the abdominal withdrawal reflex tests and electromyography recordings indicated that treatment with cynaropicrin significantly and dose-dependently alleviated the visceral hyperalgesia of PI-IBS rats (P<0.05). In addition, the increased colonic 5-HT content, colonic tryptophan hydroxylase expression, EC cell number and the cytokine levels, including tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 in PI-IBS rats were significantly alleviated by cynaropicrin (P<0.05). These data demonstrate that the analgesic activity of cynaropicrin on TNBS-induced PI-IBS visceral hypersensitive rats was mediated via reduction of cytokines levels. Thus, cynaropicrin as a bioactive natural product may offer promising therapeutic avenues for visceral hypersensitivity in IBS.

Effect of diet and individual dietary guidance on gastrointestinal endocrine cells in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (Review)

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common chronic gastrointestinal (GI) disorder that is characterized by a combination of abdominal pain or discomfort, bloating and alterations in bowel movements. This review presents recent developments concerning the roles of diet and GI endocrine cells in the pathophysiology of IBS and of individual dietary guidance in the management of IBS. Patients with IBS typically report that food aggravates their IBS symptoms. The interactions between specific types of foodstuffs rich in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAPs) and GI endocrine cells induce changes in cell densities. Providing individual dietary guidance about a low FODMAP intake, high soluble-fiber intake, and changing the proportions of protein, fat and carbohydrates helps to reduce the symptoms experienced by patients with IBS and to improve their quality of life. These improvements are due to restoring the densities of the GI endocrine cells back to normal. The reported observations emphasize the role of GI endocrine cells in the pathophysiology of IBS and support the provision of dietary guidance as a first-line treatment for managing IBS.

Abnormalities in ileal stem, neurogenin 3, and enteroendocrine cells in patients with irritable bowel syndrome

Background

This study examined whether the densities of stem- and enteroendocrine cell progenitors are abnormal in the ileum of patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and whether any abnormalities in ileal enteroendocrine cells are correlated with abnormalities in stem cells and enteroendocrine cell progenitors.

Methods

One hundred and one IBS patients covering all IBS subtypes were recruited, and 39 non-IBS subjects were included as a control group. The patients and controls underwent standard colonoscopies, during which biopsy specimens were obtained from the ileum. The biopsy specimens were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and immunostained for Musashi-1 (Msi-1), neurogenin 3 (NEUROG3), chromogranin A (CgA), serotonin, peptide YY (PYY), oxyntomodulin (enteroglucagon), pancreatic polypeptide, and somatostatin. The immunoreactive cells were quantified by computerized image analysis.

Results

The densities of Msi-1, NEUROG3, CgA, and serotonin cells were reduced in all IBS patients and in patients with diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D), mixed-diarrhea-and-constipation IBS (IBS-M), and constipation-predominant (IBS-C) relative to the control subjects. While the PYY cell density was increased in IBS-C relative to controls, it did not differ between control subjects and IBS-D and IBS-M patients. The densities of Msi-1 and NEUROG3 cells were strongly correlated with that of CgA cells.

Conclusions

The abnormalities in the ileal enteroendocrine cells appear to be caused by two mechanisms: (1) decreases in the clonogenic activity of the stem cells and in the endocrine-cell progenitors differentiating into enteroendocrine cells, and (2) switching on the expression of PYY and switching off the expression of certain other hormones in other types of the enteroendocrine cells.

Changes in duodenal enteroendocrine cells in patients with irritable bowel syndrome following dietary guidance

The densities of enteroendocrine cells are abnormal in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS); however, they tend to change toward normal levels in stomach, ileum, and colon following dietary guidance. The aim was to identify the types of duodenal enteroendocrine cells affected after receiving dietary guidance in the same group of patients with IBS. Fourteen patients with IBS and 14 control subjects were included. The patients received three sessions of dietary guidance. Both groups underwent gastroscopies at baseline, and again for the patients after 3–9 months (median, four months) from receiving dietary guidance. Tissue biopsies were collected from the descending part of the duodenum and were immunostained for all the types of enteroendocrine cells and were then quantified by using computerized image analysis. Using the Kruskal–Wallis non-parametric test with Dunn’s test as a post-test, the results showed a significant difference in the secretin cell densities between control subjects and patients with IBS prior to and following dietary guidance (P = 0.0001 and 0.011, respectively). The corresponding P values for cholecystokinin (CCK) cell densities were 0.03 and 0.42, respectively; gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP) cell densities were 0.06 and 0.43, respectively; serotonin cell densities were <0.0001 and 0.002, respectively; and for somatostatin cell densities were <0.0001 and 0.052, respectively. The Paired t-test showed a significant difference only in the serotonin (P = 0.03) and somatostatin (P < 0.0001) cell densities between IBS patients prior to and following dietary guidance. The changes in the cell densities of secretin, CCK, and GIP were not significant between IBS patients prior to and following dietary guidance. In conclusion, the densities of several duodenal enteroendocrine cells in IBS patients changed toward the values measured in control subjects following dietary guidance. The changes in serotonin and somatostatin cell densities may have contributed to the improvements in IBS symptoms, particularly pain and diarrhea.

The possible role of gastrointestinal endocrine cells in the pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome

The etiology of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is unknown, but several factors appear to play a role in its pathophysiology, including abnormalities of the gastrointestinal endocrine cells. The present review illuminates the possible role of gastrointestinal hormones in the pathophysiology of IBS and the possibility of utilizing the current knowledge in treating the disease. Areas covered: Research into the intestinal endocrine cells and their possible role in the pathophysiology of IBS is discussed. Furthermore, the mechanisms underlying the abnormalities in the gastrointestinal endocrine cells in IBS patients are revealed. Expert commentary: The abnormalities observed in the gastrointestinal endocrine cells in IBS patients explains their visceral hypersensitivity, gastrointestinal dysmotility, and abnormal intestinal secretion, as well as the interchangeability of symptoms over time. Clarifying the role of the intestinal stem cells in the pathophysiology of IBS may lead to new treatment methods for IBS.

Visceral hyperalgesia caused by peptide YY deletion and Y2 receptor antagonism

Altered levels of colonic peptide YY (PYY) have been reported in patients suffering from functional and inflammatory bowel disorders. While the involvement of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and Y receptors in the regulation of nociception is well established, the physiological role of PYY in somatic and visceral pain is poorly understood. In this work, the role of PYY in pain sensitivity was evaluated using PYY knockout (PYY^(−/−)) mice and Y2 receptor ligands. PYY^(−/−) mice were more sensitive to somatic thermal pain compared to wild type (WT) mice. Visceral pain was assessed by evaluating pain-related behaviors, mouse grimace scale (MGS) and referred hyperalgesia after intrarectal administration of allyl isothiocyanate (AITC, 1 or 2%) or its vehicle, peanut oil. The pain-related behaviors induced by AITC were significantly exaggerated by PYY deletion, whereas the MGS readout and the referred hyperalgesia were not significantly affected. The Y2 receptor antagonist, BII0246, increased pain-related behaviors in response to intrarectal AITC compared to vehicle treatment while the Y2 receptor agonist, PYY(3–36), did not have a significant effect. These results indicate that endogenous PYY has a hypoalgesic effect on somatic thermal and visceral chemical pain. The effect on visceral pain seems to be mediated by peripheral Y2 receptors.

Enhancing Diagnostic Performance of Symptom-Based Criteria for Irritable Bowel Syndrome by Additional History and Limited Diagnostic Evaluation

OBJECTIVES

Symptom-based criteria to diagnose irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) positively perform only modestly. Our aim was to assess whether including other items from the clinical history and limited diagnostic evaluation improves their performance.

METHODS

We collected complete symptom, colonoscopy, and histology data from 318 consecutive, unselected adult patients with lower gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in secondary care. All participants underwent colonoscopy, with relevant organic findings recorded. The reference standard used to define the presence of true IBS was patient-reported lower abdominal pain or discomfort associated with a change in bowel habit, in the absence of organic GI disease. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative likelihood ratios (LRs), with 95% confidence intervals, were calculated for Rome III criteria, as well as for modifications, incorporating nocturnal stools, results of simple blood tests (hemoglobin and C-reactive protein (CRP)), measures of somatization, and/or affective disorders (hospital anxiety or depression scale (HADS) score).

RESULTS

The sensitivity and specificity of the Rome III criteria for identifying IBS was 69.6%, and 82.0%, respectively, with positive and negative LRs of 3.87 and 0.37, respectively. Clinically useful enhancements in positive LRs were provided by combining Rome III criteria with: (a) high level of somatization (7.27); (b) normal hemoglobin and CRP with HADS score of ≥8 (5.04); (c) normal hemoglobin and CRP with a high level of somatization (7.56); or (d) no nocturnal passage of stool with a high level of somatization (17.3). Specificity was ≥95% with each of these modifications.

CONCLUSIONS

Incorporating nocturnal stools, somatization, and affective disorders from the clinical history, and hemoglobin and CRP measurements, enhances the positive LR and specificity of symptom-based Rome III criteria for IBS.

An Endogenous Tachykinergic NK2/NK3 Receptor Cascade System Controlling the Release of Serotonin from Colonic Mucosa

5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) released from colonic mucosal enterochromaffin (EC) cells is a major signaling molecule, which participates in the pathophysiological regulation of colonic functions in gut disorder including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but the endogenous modulator system for the 5-HT release is not yet well elucidated. Our in vitro studies in guinea-pig colon have indicated that the cascade pathway of neuronal tachykinergic NK₃ receptors and NK₂ receptors on peptide YY (PYY)-containing endocrine L cells represents an endogenous modulator system for 5-HT release from EC cells and that melatonin, endogenous tachykinins and PYY play important roles in modulation of the release of 5-HT from EC cells via the endogenous NK₂/NK₃ receptor cascade system. This review aims at examining the potential role of the endogenous tachykinergic NK2/NK3 receptor cascade system controlling the release of 5-HT from EC cells, with special attention being paid to the pathophysiology of gut disorders including IBS.

Pilot study of small bowel mucosal gene expression in patients with irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea

Prior studies in with irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) patients showed immune activation, secretion, and barrier dysfunction in jejunal or colorectal mucosa. We measured mRNA expression by RT-PCR of 91 genes reflecting tight junction proteins, chemokines, innate immunity, ion channels, transmitters, housekeeping genes, and controls for DNA contamination and PCR efficiency in small intestinal mucosa from 15 IBS-D and 7 controls (biopsies negative for celiac disease). Fold change was calculated using 2((-ΔΔCT)) formula. Nominal P values (P < 0.05) were interpreted with false detection rate (FDR) correction (q value). Cluster analysis with Lens for Enrichment and Network Studies (LENS) explored connectivity of mechanisms. Upregulated genes (uncorrected P < 0.05) were related to ion transport (INADL, MAGI1, and SONS1), barrier (TJP1, 2, and 3 and CLDN) or immune functions (TLR3, IL15, and MAPKAPK5), or histamine metabolism (HNMT); downregulated genes were related to immune function (IL-1β, TGF-β1, and CCL20) or antigen detection (TLR1 and 8). The following genes were significantly upregulated (q < 0.05) in IBS-D: INADL, MAGI1, PPP2R5C, MAPKAPK5, TLR3, and IL-15. Among the 14 nominally upregulated genes, there was clustering of barrier and PDZ domains (TJP1, TJP2, TJP3, CLDN4, INADL, and MAGI1) and clustering of downregulated genes (CCL20, TLR1, IL1B, and TLR8). Protein expression of PPP2R5C in nuclear lysates was greater in patients with IBS-D and controls. There was increase in INADL protein (median 9.4 ng/ml) in patients with IBS-D relative to controls (median 5.8 ng/ml, P > 0.05). In conclusion, altered transcriptome (and to lesser extent protein) expression of ion transport, barrier, immune, and mast cell mechanisms in small bowel may reflect different alterations in function and deserves further study in IBS-D.

Dietary guidance and ileal enteroendocrine cells in patients with irritable bowel syndrome

The enteroendocrine cells of the ileum are stimulated by the luminal contents to release specific hormones that regulate its functions. The density of ileal enteroendocrine cells is abnormal in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and the majority of patients with IBS associate their symptoms to the consumption of certain foodstuffs. The present study investigated the effect of dietary guidance on the enteroendocrine cells of the ileum in 11 patients with IBS. A total of 10 control subjects were also included. Each patient received three sessions of dietary guidance. Colonoscopies were performed on both controls and patients with IBS (at baseline and 3-9 months after the patients had received dietary guidance). Biopsy samples from the ileum were immunostained for all enteroendocrine cells and quantified by computerized image analysis. The densities of serotonin-immunoreactive cells in controls and in patients with IBS prior to and following dietary guidance were 35.5±5.7, 38.7±7.1 and 22.3±2.6 cells/mm², respectively (mean ± standard error of the mean; P=0.046); the corresponding values for PYY-immunoreactive cells were 16.7±2.8, 20.2±5.1 and 21.3±2.7 cells/mm² (P=0.86). These results suggest that changes in enteroendocrine cell densities in the ileum along with changes in enteroendocrine cells throughout the gastrointestinal tract may contribute to the improvement in IBS symptoms following dietary guidance.

Recent advances in the diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome

The symptom-based diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has not been established in everyday clinical practice, and the diagnosis of this disorder remains one of exclusion. It has been demonstrated that the densities of duodenal chromogranin A, rectal peptide YY and somatostatin cells are good biomarkers for the diagnosis of sporadic IBS, and low-grade mucosal inflammation is a promising biomarker for the diagnosis of postinfectious IBS. Genetic markers are not useful as biomarkers for IBS since the potential risk genes have yet to be validated, and the intestinal microbiota cannot be used because of the lack of an association between a specific bacterial species and IBS. Furthermore, gastrointestinal dysmotility and visceral hypersensitivity tests produce results that are too nonconsistent and noncharacteristic to be used in the diagnosis of IBS. A combination of symptom-based assessment, exclusion of overlapping gastrointestinal diseases and positive biomarkers appears to be the best way to diagnose IBS.

Comparison of 5-hydroxytryptophan signaling pathway characteristics in diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis

AIM: To study differences in the visceral sensitivity of the colonic mucosa between patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) and those with ulcerative colitis (UC) in remission and to relate these differences with changes in the 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HT) signaling pathway.

METHODS: Gastrointestinal symptoms were used to determine the clinical symptom scores and rectal visceral sensitivity of patients with IBS-D and patients with UC in remission. Blood levels of 5-HT and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) were measured using an HPLC-electrochemical detection system. The levels of 5-HT 3 receptor (3R), 4R, and 7R mRNAs in colonic biopsy samples were detected using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The protein expression of TPH1 was analyzed by Western blot and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS: Abdominal pain or discomfort, stool frequency, and the scores of these symptoms in combination with gastrointestinal symptoms were higher in the IBS-D and UC groups than in the control groups. However, no significant differences were observed between the IBS-D and UC remission groups. With respect to rectal visceral sensitivity, the UC remission and IBS-D groups showed a decrease in the initial perception threshold, defecating threshold and pain threshold. However, these groups exhibited significantly increased anorectal relaxation pressure. Tests examining the main indicators of the 5-HT signaling pathway showed that the plasma 5-HT levels, 5-HIAA concentrations, TPH1 expression in the colonic mucosa, and 5-HT3R and 5-HT5R expression were increased in both the IBS-D and the UC remission groups; no increases were observed with respect to 5-HT7R expression.

CONCLUSION: The IBS-D and UC groups showed similar clinical symptom scores, visceral sensitivity, and levels of serotonin signaling pathway indicators in the plasma and colonic mucosa. However, the pain threshold and 5-HT7R expression in the colonic mucosa were significantly different between these groups. The results reveal that (1) IBS-D and UC are related to visceral sensitivity pathogenesis and the clinical manifestations of these conditions and (2) the observed differences in visceral hypersensitivity are possibly due to differences in levels of the 5-HT7 receptor, a component of the 5-HT signaling pathway.

Dietary guidance normalizes large intestinal endocrine cell densities in patients with irritable bowel syndrome

Background/Objectives:

To determine the large intestinal endocrine cell types affected following dietary guidance in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Subjects/Methods:

The study included 13 IBS patients and 13 control subjects. The patients received three sessions of individualized dietary guidance. Both the control subjects and the patients were scheduled for colonoscopies at baseline and again for the patients at 3–9 months after dietary guidance. Biopsy samples were taken from the colon and rectum and were immunostained for all types of large intestinal endocrine cells. The endocrine cells were quantified using computerized image analysis.

Results:

The daily total consumption (mean±s.e.m. values) of fruits and vegetables rich in FODMAPs (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols) decreased significantly from 16.2±5.3 g before receiving dietary guidance to 9.2±3.2 g after receiving dietary guidance (P=0.02). In the total colon, the densities of serotonin cells were 46.8±8.9, 10.5±2.1 and 22.6±3.2 cells/mm² in control subjects and in IBS patients before and after receiving dietary guidance, respectively (P=0.007); the corresponding densities of peptide YY cells were 11.6±1.8, 10.8±1.7 and 16.8±2.1 cells/mm², respectively (P=0.06). The cell densities for both serotonin and peptide YY did not change significantly in the rectum. The densities of somatostatin cells in the rectum were 13.5±3.0, 13.2±3.0, and 22.3±3.2 cells/mm² for control subjects and for IBS patients before and after receiving dietary guidance, respectively (P=0.01).

Conclusions:

The densities of the large intestinal endocrine cells tend to normalize following dietary guidance that may have contributed to the improvement of the patients with IBS symptoms.

Systematic review with meta-analysis: the accuracy of diagnosing irritable bowel syndrome with symptoms, biomarkers and/or psychological markers

BACKGROUND

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a complex, heterogeneous disease which can be challenging to diagnose. No study has identified and assessed the accuracy of all available methods of diagnosing IBS.

AIM

To conduct a systematic review of the literature to identify and assess accuracy of symptom-based diagnostic criteria, biomarkers, psychological markers or combinations thereof.

METHODS

MEDLINE, EMBASE and EMBASE Classic were searched (until April 2015) to identify studies reporting accuracy of available methods to diagnose IBS in adult populations. Eligible studies assessed accuracy of these diagnostic tests against an accepted reference standard. Data were extracted to calculate positive and negative likelihood ratios, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), of the diagnostic test utilised. Where more than one study used the same test, data were pooled in a meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Twenty-two studies (7106 patients) were eligible. Positive and negative likelihood ratios of the current gold standard, the Rome III criteria, were 3.35 (95% CI: 2.97-3.79) and 0.39 (95% CI: 0.34-0.46), similar to other symptom-based criteria. Eleven biomarkers performed no better than symptom-based criteria. Psychological markers performed well in one study. Five different combinations were assessed. The best in terms of positive likelihood ratio was faecal calprotectin, intestinal permeability and Rome I criteria (26.4; 95% CI: 11.4-61.9), and in terms of negative likelihood ratio serum-based biomarkers and psychological markers (0.18; 95% CI: 0.12-0.25).

CONCLUSIONS

Symptom-based diagnostic criteria, biomarkers and psychological markers performed modestly in predicting IBS. Combining symptoms with markers appears more effective, and may represent the way forward in the diagnosis of IBS.

Reduction in duodenal endocrine cells in irritable bowel syndrome is associated with stem cell abnormalities

AIM: To determine whether the decreased density of duodenal endocrine cells in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is associated with abnormalities in stem cell differentiation.

METHODS: The study sample comprised 203 patients with IBS (180 females and 23 males with a mean age of 36 years) and a control group of 86 healthy subjects without gastrointestinal complaints (77 females and 9 males with a mean age of 38 years). The patients included 80 with mostly diarrhoea (IBS-D), 47 with both diarrhoea and constipation (IBS-M), and 76 with mostly constipation (IBS-C). Both the patients and controls underwent gastroscopy and four biopsy samples were taken from the descending part of the duodenum, proximal to the papilla of Vater. The biopsy samples were sectioned and immunostained for Musashi 1 (Msi-1), neurogenin 3 (NEUROG3), secretin, cholecystokinin (CCK), gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP), somatostatin and serotonin. Immunostaining was performed with an ultraView Universal DAB Detection Kit (v1.02.0018, Venata Medical Systems, Basal, Switzerland) using the BenchMark Ultra immunohistochemistry/in situ hybridization staining module (Venata Medical Systems). Endocrine cell densities were quantified by computerized image analysis using the Olympus cellSens imaging program.

RESULTS: The densities of Msi-1 and NEUROG3 cells were significantly lower in IBS patients, regardless of the subtype, than in the controls (77 ± 17 vs 8 ± 2; P = 0.0001, and 351 ± 33 vs 103 ± 22; P = 0.00002, respectively). Furthermore, the densities of secretin, and CCK cells were significantly lower in patients with diarrhoea as the predominant IBS symptom (IBS-D) than in the controls (161 ± 11 vs 88 ± 8; P = 0.00007, and 325 ± 41 vs 118 ± 10; P = 0.00006, respectively), but not in patients with constipation as the predominant IBS symptom (IBS-C) or those with both diarrhoea and constipation (IBS-M). The GIP cell density was significantly reduced in both IBS-D (152 ± 12 vs 82 ± 7; P = 0.00003), and IBS-C (152 ± 12 vs 107 ± 8; P = 0.01), but not in IBS-M. The densities of somatostatin cells in the controls and the IBS-total, IBS-D, IBS-M and IBS-C patients were 81 ± 8, 28 ± 3, 20 ± 4, 37 ± 5 and 28 ± 4 cells/mm² epithelium, respectively. The density of somatostatin cells was lower in IBS-total, IBS-D, IBS-M and IBS-C patients than in the controls (P = 0.00009, 0.00006, 0.009 and 0.00008, respectively). The density of serotonin cells did not differ between IBS patients and controls.

CONCLUSION: The reduction in duodenal endocrine cells in IBS patients found in this study is probably attributable to the reduction in cells expressing Msi-1 and NEUROG3.

Recent developments in the pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder, the pathophysiology of which is not completely known, although it has been shown that genetic/social learning factors, diet, intestinal microbiota, intestinal low-grade inflammation, and abnormal gastrointestinal endocrine cells play a major role. Studies of familial aggregation and on twins have confirmed the heritability of IBS. However, the proposed IBS risk genes are thus far nonvalidated hits rather than true predisposing factors. There is no convincing evidence that IBS patients suffer from food allergy/intolerance, with the effect exerted by diet seemingly caused by intake of poorly absorbed carbohydrates and fiber. Obesity is a possible comorbidity of IBS. Differences in the microbiota between IBS patients and healthy controls have been reported, but the association between IBS symptoms and specific bacterial species is uncertain. Low-grade inflammation appears to play a role in the pathophysiology of a major subset of IBS, namely postinfectious IBS. The density of intestinal endocrine cells is reduced in patients with IBS, possibly as a result of genetic factors, diet, intestinal microbiota, and low-grade inflammation interfering with the regulatory signals controlling the intestinal stem-cell clonogenic and differentiation activities. Furthermore, there is speculation that this decreased number of endocrine cells is responsible for the visceral hypersensitivity, disturbed gastrointestinal motility, and abnormal gut secretion seen in IBS patients.

Immunological Biomarkers in Postinfectious Irritable Bowel Syndrome

BACKGROUND

There is a recognized need for biological markers to facilitate diagnoses of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and to distinguish it from other functional and organic disorders. As postinfectious IBS (PI-IBS) is believed to account for as many as one third of all IBS cases, here we sought to identify differences in specific cytokines and serologic responses across patients with idiopathic IBS and PI-IBS and healthy controls.

METHODS

At total of 120 US military personnel were identified from the Defense Medical Surveillance System-based International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD9-CM) codes recorded during medical encounters and were grouped based on infectious gastroenteritis (IGE) episode (Shigella, Campylobacter, Salmonella, or an unspecified pathogen) followed by IBS, IBS without antecedent IGE, or IGE without subsequent IBS within 2 years of the IGE exposure. Sera from subjects were assayed for cytokine levels and antibodies against a panel of microbiome antigens.

RESULTS

In total, 10 of 118 markers considered were shown to differ between IBS patients and healthy controls, including cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, IL-1β, and macrophage inflammatory protein-1β (MIP-1β), as well as antibody responses to microbial antigens. Antimicrobial antibody response profiles also differed between PI-IBS cases compared with IBS cases without an antecedent episode of acute IGE. Comparisons also suggest that immunoglobulin A (IgA) and IgG profiles may point to pathogen-specific origins among PI-IBS cases.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, these results provide further evidence as to the molecular distinctness of classes of IBS cases and that serum biomarkers may prove useful in elucidating their pathobiological pathways.

Colonic mucosal gene expression and genotype in irritable bowel syndrome patients with normal or elevated fecal bile acid excretion

The mucosal gene expression in rectosigmoid mucosa (RSM) in irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D) is unknown. Our objectives were, first, to study mRNA expression [by RT(2) PCR of 19 genes pertaining to tight junctions, immune activation, intestinal ion transport and bile acid (BA) homeostasis] in RSM in IBS-D patients (n = 47) and healthy controls (n = 17) and study expression of a selected protein (PDZD3) in 10 IBS-D patients and 4 healthy controls; second, to assess RSM mRNA expression according to genotype and fecal BA excretion (high ≥ 2,337 μmol/48 h); and third, to determine whether genotype or mucosal mRNA expression is associated with colonic transit or BA parameters. Fold changes were corrected for false detection rate for 19 genes studied (P < 0.00263). In RSM in IBS-D patients compared with controls, mRNA expression of GUC2AB, PDZD3, and PR2Y4 was increased, whereas CLDN1 and FN1 were decreased. One immune-related gene was upregulated (C4BP4) and one downregulated (CCL20). There was increased expression of a selected ion transport protein (PDZD3) on immunohistochemistry and Western blot in IBS-D compared with controls (P = 0.02). There were no significant differences in mucosal mRNA in 20 IBS-D patients with high compared with 27 IBS-D patients with normal BA excretion. GPBAR1 (P < 0.05) was associated with colonic transit. We concluded that mucosal ion transport mRNA (for several genes and PDZD3 protein) is upregulated and barrier protein mRNA downregulated in IBS-D compared with healthy controls, independent of genotype. There are no differences in gene expression in IBS-D with high compared with normal fecal BA excretion.

Densities of rectal peptide YY and somatostatin cells as biomarkers for the diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common chronic disorder. IBS diagnosis is a diagnosis of exclusion since there are no blood tests, radiological or endoscopic examinations for this disorder. Although several attempts have been made to develop a symptoms-based diagnosis, such systems are not widely used in clinics. Several tests and examinations measuring pathological findings in IBS have been considered for the diagnosis of IBS, but none of them has proved useful as a biomarker. Abnormalities in the cell densities of rectal peptide YY (PYY) and somatostatin cells have been reported in IBS patients. The aim of the present study was to determine the utility of these abnormalities as biomarkers for the diagnosis of IBS. Patients with IBS established according to Rome III criteria (n = 101) were included in this study (71 females and 30 males with a mean age of 35 years; range 18-61 years), and 62 healthy subjects (38 females and 24 males with a mean age of 41 years; range 18-65 years) were recruited as controls. Both the patients and controls underwent colonoscopy during which rectal biopsy samples were taken. The tissue samples were immunostained for PYY and somatostatin, and the number of stained cells was quantified relative to both the area of epithelial cells and per microscopic field. The density of PYY cells was significantly lower in IBS patients than in the healthy controls (P < 0.0001); receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.99. The somatostatin cell density in IBS patients was higher than in the controls (P < 0.0001); ROC analysis revealed an AUC of 0.86. The densities of the rectal PYY and somatostatin cells appear to be clinically effective biomarkers for IBS. Furthermore, measurement of these parameters is inexpensive, rapid and does not require considerable experience or sophisticated equipment.

Diet in irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common chronic gastrointestinal disorder that is characterized by intermittent abdominal pain/discomfort, altered bowel habits and abdominal bloating/distension. This review aimed at presenting the recent developments concerning the role of diet in the pathophysiology and management of IBS. There is no convincing evidence that IBS patients suffer from food allergy/intolerance, and there is no evidence that gluten causes the debated new diagnosis of non-coeliac gluten sensitivity (NCGS). The component in wheat that triggers symptoms in NCGS appears to be the carbohydrates. Patients with NCGS appear to be IBS patients who are self-diagnosed and self-treated with a gluten-free diet. IBS symptoms are triggered by the consumption of the poorly absorbed fermentable oligo-, di-, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAPs) and insoluble fibre. On reaching the distal small intestine and colon, FODMAPS and insoluble fibre increase the osmotic pressure in the large-intestine lumen and provide a substrate for bacterial fermentation, with consequent gas production, abdominal distension and abdominal pain or discomfort. Poor FODMAPS and insoluble fibres diet reduces the symptom and improve the quality of life in IBS patients. Moreover, it changes favourably the intestinal microbiota and restores the abnormalities in the gastrointestinal endocrine cells. Five gastrointestinal endocrine cell types that produce hormones regulating appetite and food intake are abnormal in IBS patients. Based on these hormonal abnormalities, one would expect that IBS patients to have increased food intake and body weight gain. However, the link between obesity and IBS is not fully studied. Individual dietary guidance for intake of poor FODMAPs and insoluble fibres diet in combination with probiotics intake and regular exercise is to be recommended for IBS patients.

Therapeutic effect of activated carbon-induced constipation mice with Lactobacillus fermentum Suo on treatment

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Lactobacillus fermentum Suo (LF-Suo) on activated carbon-induced constipation in ICR (Institute of Cancer Research) mice. ICR mice were orally administered with lactic acid bacteria for 9 days. Body weight, diet intake, drinking amount, defecation status, gastrointestinal transit and defecation time, and the serum levels of MTL (motilin), Gas (gastrin), ET (endothelin), SS (somatostatin), AChE (acetylcholinesterase), SP (substance P), VIP (vasoactive intestinal peptide) were used to evaluate the preventive effects of LF-Suo on constipation. Bisacodyl, a laxative drug, was used as a positive control. The normal, control, 100 mg/kg bisacodyl treatment, LB (Lactobacillus bulgaricus)-, LF-Suo (L)- and LF-Suo (H)-treated mice showed the time to the first black stool defecation at 90, 218, 117, 180, 155 and 137 min, respectively. By the oral administration of LB-, LF-Suo (L), LF-Suo (H) or bisacodyl (100 mg/kg), the gastrointestinal transit was reduced to 55.2%, 72.3%, 85.5% and 94.6%, respectively, of the transit in normal mice, respectively. In contrast to the control mice, the serum levels of MTL, Gas, ET, AChE, SP and VIP were significantly increased and the serum levels of SS were reduced in the mice treated with LF-Suo (p < 0.05). By the RT-PCR (reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction) and western blot assays, LF-Suo increased the c-Kit, SCF (stem cell factor), GDNF (glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor) and decreased TRPV1 (transient receptor potential vanilloid 1), NOS (nitric oxide synthase) expressions of small intestine tissue in mice. These results demonstrate that lactic acid bacteria has preventive effects on mouse constipation and LF-Suo demonstrated the best functional activity.

Chromogranin A cells in the stomachs of patients with sporadic irritable bowel syndrome

Several abnormalities have been demonstrated in the intestines of patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS); however, the endocrine cells in the stomachs of these patients have not been investigated. The aim of the present study was to determine whether there are any abnormalities in the endocrine cells of the stomachs of patients with IBS using chromogranin A (CgA) as a common marker for endocrine cells. A total of 76 patients were included, of which 26 presented with diarrhoea as the predominant symptom (IBS‑D), 21 exhibited diarrhoea and constipation (IBS‑M), and 29 experienced constipation as the predominant symptom (IBS‑C). In addition, 59 healthy volunteers were recruited as controls. The patients and the controls underwent gastroscopy, and biopsy samples were obtained from the antrum and corpus of the stomach. The biopsy samples were immunostained and the CgA‑positive cell density and the intensity of the CgA immunoreactivity were determined. The CgA‑positive cell densities in the antra of patients with IBS‑M were significantly reduced relative to the controls (P<0.01), while the densities were significantly increased in the antra and corpora of the IBS‑C patients (P<0.01 and P<0.001 respectively). The intensities of CgA immunoreactivity did not differ significantly between the IBS patients and the controls. The abnormalities in the densities of endocrine cells were not associated with concomitant changes in the intensities of immunoreactivity; this may indicate unchanged synthesis and/or release of the hormones. In conclusion, the difference in the density of endocrine cells among the IBS subtypes may reflect a role of these cells in the differential symptomologies of these subtypes.

Stomach antral endocrine cells in patients with irritable bowel syndrome

To the best of our knowledge, stomach antral endocrine cells have not previously been investigated in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Thus, in the present study, 76 patients with IBS were examined (designated as IBS-total). Diarrhoea was the predominant symptom in 26 of these patients (IBS-D), while in 21 patients, the predominant symptoms were both diarrhoea and constipation (IBS-M) and in 29 patients the predominant symptom was constipation (IBS-C). Forty-three healthy subjects were enrolled as the controls. Stomach antral biopsy samples obtained from all of the subjects were immunostained using the avidin-biotin-complex method for serotonin, gastrin, somatostatin and serotonin transporter (SERT). The immunopositive cell densities and immunoreactivity intensities were determined by computer-aided image analysis. The density of the serotonin-immunoreactive cells was significantly decreased in the IBS-M patients and increased in the IBS-C patients relative to the controls. The immunoreactivity intensity did not differ significantly between the controls and IBS-total. The density of the gastrin-immunoreactive cells was significantly greater in the IBS-D, IBS-M and IBS-C patients than in the controls. The immunoreactivity intensity of gastrin was significantly greater in the IBS-D patients than in the controls. The density of the somatostatin-immunoreactive cells cells was significantly lower in the IBS-total, IBS-D, IBS-M and IBS-C patients than in the controls. The immunoreactivity intensities of both somatostatin and SERT did not differ significantly between the controls and IBS-total. The increase in gastrin cell density and the decrease in somatostatin cell density in all IBS subtypes may cause high levels of gastric secretion, which may in turn contribute to the high incidence of dyspepsia and gastro-oesophageal reflux observed in patients with IBS.

Effect of dietary management on the gastric endocrine cells in patients with irritable bowel syndrome

Background/objectives:

The gastric endocrine cells in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) tend to normalize following dietary guidance. The aim of the present study was to identify the gastric endocrine cell types that are changed following such dietary guidance.

Subjects/methods:

Fourteen IBS patients and 14 healthy subjects were included in the study. Patients received three sessions of individual dietary management guidance. Gastroscopy was performed on both the controls and the patients at baseline and then again for the patients at 3–9 months after dietary guidance. Biopsy samples from the corpus and antrum were immunostained for all gastric endocrine cell types. Endocrine cells were quantified by computerized image analysis.

Results:

The densities of the ghrelin cells for the controls and IBS patients before and after dietary guidance were 149.6±36.2 (mean±s.e.m.; 95% confidence interval (CI) 71.3–227.8), 114.5±32.7 and 161.8±37.8 cells/mm², respectively. The densities of the gastrin cells in these groups were 155.8±21.0 (95% CI 110.3–201.2), 159.4±24.3 and 211.6±28.0 cells/mm², respectively; the corresponding densities of serotonin cells in the corpus were 18.2±3.9 (95% CI 9.8–26.6), 10.6±3.4 and 14±2.0 cells/mm² and in the antrum were 44.6±12.2 (95% CI 18.1–71.1), 1.7±0.5 and 14.7±6.3 cells/mm². The densities of the somatostatin cells in the corpus were 40.0±7.7 (95% CI 23.5–56.5), 23.0±3.0 and 37.3±4.2 cells/mm², respectively, and in the antrum were 138.9±22.0 (95% CI 91.4–186.3), 95.6±15.9 and 86.0±16.9 cells/mm², respectively.

Conclusions:

The densities of all of the gastric endocrine cell types changed towards the healthy control values in the IBS patients following a change in food intake.

RNA sequencing shows transcriptomic changes in rectosigmoid mucosa in patients with irritable bowel syndrome-diarrhea: a pilot case-control study

Our aim was to conduct a pilot case-control study of RNA expression profile using RNA sequencing of rectosigmoid mucosa of nine females with -diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) with accelerated colonic transit and nine female healthy controls. Mucosal total RNA was isolated and purified, and next-generation pair-end sequencing was performed using Illumina TruSeq. Analysis was carried out using a targeted approach toward 12 genes previously associated with IBS and a hypothesis-generating approach. Of the 12 targeted genes tested, patients with IBS-D had decreased mRNA expression of TNFSF15 (fold change controls to IBS-D: 1.53, P = 0.01). Overall, up- and downregulated mRNA expressions of 21 genes (P = 10(-5) to 10(-8); P values with false detection rates are shown) were potentially relevant to IBS-D including the following: neurotransmitters [P2RY4 (P = 0.001), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP, P = 0.02)]; cytokines [CCL20 (P = 0.019)]; immune function [C4BPA complement cascade (P = 0.0187)]; interferon-related [IFIT3 (P = 0.016)]; mucosal repair and cell adhesion [trefoil protein (TFF1, P = 0.012)], retinol binding protein [RBP2 (P = 0.017)]; fibronectin (FN1, P = 0.009); and ion channel functions [guanylate cyclase (GUCA2B, P = 0.017), PDZ domain-containing protein 3 (PDZD3, P = 0.029)]. Ten genes associated with functions related to pathobiology of IBS-D were validated by RT-PCR. There was significant correlation in fold changes of the selected genes (Rs = 0.73, P = 0.013). Up- or downregulation of P2RY4, GUC2AB, RBP2, FNI, and C4BPA genes were confirmed on RT-PCR, which also revealed upregulation of farnesoid X receptor (FXR) and apical sodium-coupled bile acid transporter (IBAT/ASBT). RNA-Seq and RT-PCR analysis of rectosigmoid mucosa in IBS-D show transcriptome changes that provide the rationale for validation studies to explore the role of mucosal factors in the pathobiology of IBS-D.

Irritable bowel syndrome: recent developments in diagnosis, pathophysiology, and treatment

The diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) remains a diagnosis of exclusion, whereby an extensive investigation is performed to exclude other organic diseases that may explain the symptoms of patients. Attempts to have a positive diagnosis based on symptom assessments failed to achieve widely use in clinical practice. Abnormalities in the gastrointestinal endocrine cells in IBS patients have been reported recently, providing evidence that IBS is an organic disorder, and opening the door to the use of these abnormalities as markers for a positive diagnosis of IBS. New and promising drugs for the treatment of IBS with constipation as the predominant symptom are currently on the market, and the treatment results have been satisfactory thus far.

Physiological underpinnings of irritable bowel syndrome: neurohormonal mechanisms

The gastrointestinal tract is a vast neuroendocrine organ with extensive extrinsic and intrinsic neural circuits that interact to control its function. Circulating and paracrine hormones (amine and peptide) provide further control of secretory, absorptive, barrier, motor and sensory mechanisms that are essential to the digestion and assimilation of nutrients, and the transport and excretion of waste products. Specialized elements of the mucosa (including enteroendocrine cells, enterocytes and immune cells) and the microbiome interact with other intraluminal contents derived from the diet, and with endogenous chemicals that alter the gut's functions. The totality of these control mechanisms is often summarized as the brain-gut axis. In irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which is the most common gastrointestinal disorder, there may be disturbances at one or more of these diverse control mechanisms. Patients present with abdominal pain in association with altered bowel function. This review documents advances in understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms in the brain-gut axis in patients with IBS. It is anticipated that identification of one or more disordered functions in clinical practice will usher in a renaissance in the management of IBS, leading to effective therapy tailored to the needs of the individual patient.