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Sciumè GD, Berti G, Lambiase C, Paglianiti I, Villanacci V, Rettura F, Grosso A, Ricchiuti A, de Bortoli N, Usai Satta P, Bassotti G, Bellini M. Misinterpreting Diarrhea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Functional Diarrhea: Pathophysiological Highlights. J Clin Med 2023; 12:5787. [PMID: 37762728 PMCID: PMC10531598 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12185787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Irritable bowel syndrome with predominant diarrhea (IBS-D) and functional diarrhea (FD) are disorders of gut-brain interaction characterized by recurring symptoms which have a serious impact on the patient's quality of life. Their pathophysiology is far from being completely understood. In IBS-D growing evidence suggests that bile acid malabsorption (BAM) could be present in up to 30% of patients. Microscopic colitis (MC) is a well-known cause of watery diarrhea and some patients, at first, can be diagnosed as IBS-D or FD. Both BAM and MC are often responsible for the lack of response to conventional treatments in patients labelled as "refractory". Moreover, because BAM and MC are not mutually exclusive, and can be found in the same patient, they should always be considered in the diagnostic workout when a specific treatment for BAM or MC is unsatisfactory. In the present review the possible shared pathogenetic mechanisms between BAM and MC are discussed highlighting how MC can induce a secondary BAM. Moreover, a brief overview of the current literature regarding the prevalence of their association is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giusi Desirè Sciumè
- Gastrointestinal Unit, Department of Translational Sciences and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56010 Pisa, Italy (C.L.)
| | - Ginevra Berti
- Gastrointestinal Unit, Department of Translational Sciences and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56010 Pisa, Italy (C.L.)
| | - Christian Lambiase
- Gastrointestinal Unit, Department of Translational Sciences and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56010 Pisa, Italy (C.L.)
| | - Italia Paglianiti
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Department of New Technologies and Translational Research in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56010 Pisa, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Villanacci
- Institute of Pathology ASST-Spedali Civili, University of Brescia, 25121 Brescia, Italy
| | - Francesco Rettura
- Gastrointestinal Unit, Department of Translational Sciences and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56010 Pisa, Italy (C.L.)
| | - Antonio Grosso
- Gastrointestinal Unit, Department of Translational Sciences and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56010 Pisa, Italy (C.L.)
| | - Angelo Ricchiuti
- Gastrointestinal Unit, Department of Translational Sciences and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56010 Pisa, Italy (C.L.)
| | - Nicola de Bortoli
- Gastrointestinal Unit, Department of Translational Sciences and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56010 Pisa, Italy (C.L.)
| | - Paolo Usai Satta
- Gastrointestinal Unit, ‘P. Brotzu’ Hospital, 09121 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Gabrio Bassotti
- Gastroenterology & Hepatology Section, Department of Medicine, University of Perugia Medical School, 06129 Perugia, Italy
| | - Massimo Bellini
- Gastrointestinal Unit, Department of Translational Sciences and New Technologies in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56010 Pisa, Italy (C.L.)
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Chojnacki C, Błońska A, Konrad P, Chojnacki M, Podogrocki M, Poplawski T. Changes in Tryptophan Metabolism on Serotonin and Kynurenine Pathways in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15051262. [PMID: 36904262 PMCID: PMC10005076 DOI: 10.3390/nu15051262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: L-tryptophan is a substrate for the synthesis of many biological compounds through the serotonin and kynurenine pathways. These compounds have a significant influence on gastrointestinal functions and mental processes. The aim of the study was to evaluate the urinary excretion of selected tryptophan metabolites in patients with constipation-predominant and diarrhoea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C and IBS-D, respectively), related to somatic and mental symptoms. (2) Methods: 120 people were included in the study and three groups were distinguished, with 40 individuals each, including healthy subjects (controls), patients with IBS-C and patients with IBS-D. The Gastrointestinal Symptoms Rating Scale (GSRS-IBS) was used to assess the severity of abdominal symptoms. The Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) were used to evaluate the mental state of patients. Using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), L-tryptophan and the following metabolites in urine, related to the creatinine level, were measured: 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), kynurenine (KYN), kynurenic acid (KYNA) and quinolinic acid (QA). (3) Results: In both groups of patients with IBS, changes in tryptophan metabolism were found as compared to the control group. We observed an increase in the activity of the serotonin pathway and a positive correlation between the 5-HIAA level and the GSRS score (p < 0.01) and HAM-A score (p < 0.001) in IBS-D patients. The IBS-C group was characterized by a higher concentration of kynurenines (KYN, QA) in urine. Moreover, the QA (p < 0.001) and KYNA (p < 0.05) levels were correlated with the HAM-D score among IBS-C patients. (4) Conclusions: Various changes in the tryptophan metabolism pathway can determine the differences in the clinical picture of irritable bowel syndrome. These results should be included in the nutritional and pharmacological treatment of this syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cezary Chojnacki
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Gastroenterological Diagnostics, Medical University of Lodz, 90-647 Lodz, Poland
- Correspondence: (C.C.); (T.P.)
| | - Aleksandra Błońska
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Gastroenterological Diagnostics, Medical University of Lodz, 90-647 Lodz, Poland
| | - Paulina Konrad
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Gastroenterological Diagnostics, Medical University of Lodz, 90-647 Lodz, Poland
| | - Marcin Chojnacki
- Department of Clinical Nutrition and Gastroenterological Diagnostics, Medical University of Lodz, 90-647 Lodz, Poland
| | - Marcin Podogrocki
- Biohazard Prevention Centre, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Pomorska 141/143, 90-236 Lodz, Poland
| | - Tomasz Poplawski
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Biochemistry, Medical University of Lodz, 92-216 Lodz, Poland
- Correspondence: (C.C.); (T.P.)
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A Reduced Tryptophan Diet in Patients with Diarrhoea-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome Improves Their Abdominal Symptoms and Their Quality of Life through Reduction of Serotonin Levels and Its Urinary Metabolites. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232315314. [PMID: 36499643 PMCID: PMC9738361 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
(1). An essential component of any treatment for patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is an adequate diet. Currently, a low FODMAP diet is recommended as a first-line therapy, but it does not relieve abdominal discomfort in all patients, and alternative nutritional treatment is required. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a tryptophan-lowering diet (TRP) on abdominal and mental symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome with predominant diarrhea (IBS-D). (2). The study included 40 patients with IBS-D, and 40 healthy subjects served as a baseline for IBS-D patients, after excluding comorbidities. The TRP intake was calculated using the nutritional calculator. The severity of abdominal symptoms was assessed using the gastrointestinal symptom rating scale (GSRS-IBS). Mental state was assessed using the Hamilton anxiety rating scale (HAM-A), the Hamilton depression rating scale (HAM-D), and the insomnia severity index (ISI). The serum levels of serotonin and melatonin and the urinary excretion of their metabolites 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and 6-sulfatoxymelatonin (aMT6) were determined by the ELISA method. The severity of symptoms and laboratory data were analyzed before and after a 12 week diet with tryptophan restricted to a daily dose 10 mg per kilogram body weight. (3). Compared to the control group, patients with IBS-D had a higher serum level of serotonin (198.2 ± 38.1 vs. 142.3 ± 36.4 ng/mL; p < 0.001) but a similar level of melatonin (8.6 ± 1.1 vs. 9.4 ± 3.0 pg/mL; p > 0.05). The urinary excretion of 5-HIAA was also higher in patients with IBS-D patients (7.7 ± 1.5 vs. 6.0 ± 1.7 mg/24 h; p < 0.001). After nutritional treatment, both the serum serotonin level and the urinary 5-HIAA excretion significantly decreased (p < 0.001). The severity of the abdominal symptoms and anxiety also decreased, while the HAM-D score and the ISI score remained unchanged (4). Lowering the dietary intake of tryptophan may reduce abdominal complaints and does not alter the mental state of IBS-D patients.
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