Mast cell number, substance P and vasoactive intestinal peptide in irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea. (January 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sohn, Won; Lee, Oh Young; Lee, Sang Pyo; Lee, Kang Nyeong; Jun, Dae Won; Lee, Hang Lak; Yoon, Byung Chul; Choi, Ho Soon; Sim, Jongmin; Jang, Ki-Seok
• Is Part Of: Scandinavian journal of gastroenterology. Volume 49:Number 1(2014)
• Page Start: 43
• Page End: 51
• Publication Date: 2013-01
• Subjects: Gastroenterology -- Periodicals; Digestive organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.33
• DOI: 10.3109/00365521.2013.857712
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0036-5521

Abstract

<abstract> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <bold> <italic>Background.</italic> </bold> Recent studies have shown that mast cells play an important role in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). We investigated the relationship between mast cells and the gut hormones substance P and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea (IBS-D). <bold><italic>Methods.</italic></bold> Colonoscopic biopsies were performed on the rectal mucosa of 43 subjects (IBS-D patients: 22, healthy volunteers: 21) diagnosed according to the Rome III criteria. Mast cells, and substance P & VIP were evaluated by quantitative immunohistology and image analysis. Mast cells were counted as tryptase-positive cells in the lamina propria, and substance P and VIP levels were expressed as percentages of total areas of staining. <bold><italic>Results.</italic></bold> Mast cell counts were higher in IBS-D patients than healthy volunteers (9.6 ± 3.3 vs. 5.7 ± 2.5/high power field (HPF), <italic>p</italic> < 0.01). Substance P was also elevated (0.11 ± 0.08% vs. 0.03 ± 0.02 %, <italic>p</italic> < 0.01) while VIP was only high in women with IBS-D. Mast cell counts were positively correlated with levels of substance P & VIP in women but not men (women: <italic>r</italic> = 0.625, <italic>p</italic> < 0.01 for substance P and <italic>r</italic> = 0.651, <italic>p</italic> < 0.01 for VIP). However, mast cell counts were not correlated with IBS symptoms including abdominal pain. <bold><italic>Conclusion.</italic></bold> Mast cells are activated leading to the raised levels of substance P & VIP in IBS-D patients. However, the correlation between mast cells and levels of substance P & VIP differs according to gender.</p> </abstract>