Dinan, TG;Quigley, EMM;Ahmed, SMM;Scully, P;O'Brien, S;O'Mahony, L;O'Mahony, S;Shanahan, F;Keeling, PWN

2006

February

Gastroenterology

Hypothalamic-pituitary-gut axis dysregulation in irritable bowel syndrome: Plasma cytokines as a potential biomarker?

Validated

Altmetric: 2 ()

CORTICOTROPIN-RELEASING-FACTOR FUNCTIONAL GASTROINTESTINAL DISORDERS SEROTONIN TRANSPORTER FUNCTION ADRENAL AXIS DEPRESSION RESPONSES STRESS HORMONE DISEASE PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

130

304

311

Background& Aims: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional disorder with an etiology that has been linked to both psychological stress and infection. The primary aim of this study was to examine the hypothalamic-pituitary-ad renal axis in patients with IBS and to relate such response to plasma cytokine profiles. Methods: A total of 151 subjects, 76 patients and 75 controls, were recruited. The patients with IBS were diagnosed according to Rome 11 criteria. Forty-nine patients and 48 matched controls had cytokine levels measured, and a subset of 21 patients and 21 controls also underwent a corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) stimulation test with plasma levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol measured. The remaining 27 patients and 27 controls underwent a dexamethasone (1 mg) challenge. Results: Cortisol and the proinflarnmatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6 (together with its soluble receptor) and IL-8 were elevated in all IBS subgroups (diarrhea predominant, constipated, and alternators), although the elevation was most marked in the constipated subgroup. There was no alteration in the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Following CRH infusion, an exaggerated release of both ACTH and cortisol was observed in patients with 113S. There was a significant correlation between the ACTH response (delta ACTH) and the IL-6 levels. A similar relationship existed between the delta ACTH/delta cortisol ratio and the IL-6 levels. Dexamethasone suppression of cortisol was similar in patients and controls. Conclusions: IBS is characterized by an overactivation of the hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenal axis and a proinflarnmatory cytokine increase.

PHILADELPHIA

0016-5085

10.1053/j.gastro.2005.11.033