American journal of physiology. Gastrointestinal and liver physiology
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Am. J. Physiol. Gastrointest. Liver Physiol. · May 2012
SERT and TPH-1 mRNA expression are reduced in irritable bowel syndrome patients regardless of visceral sensitivity state in large intestine.
Colorectal visceral hypersensitivity has been demonstrated in a subset of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients. Serine protease and serotonergic signaling modulate gastrointestinal visceral sensitivity. We evaluated whether altered mucosal serine protease and serotonergic pathway components are related to rectal visceral hypersensitivity in IBS patients. ⋯ Rectal substance P content was increased in IBS patients compared with controls (P = 0.045). No significant differences were found in transcript levels, cell counts, and substance P and 5-HT contents between rectal hypersensitivity (+) and (-) IBS patients. In conclusion, regardless of visceral hypersensitivity state, several serotonergic signaling components are altered in IBS patients.