Identification of putative transcriptomic biomarkers in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Differential gene expression and regulation of TPH1 and SERT by vitamin D.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders and affects approximately 4% of the global population. The diagnosis of IBS can be made based on symptoms using the validated Rome criteria and ruling out commonly occurring organic diseases. Although biomarkers exist for "IBS mimickers" such as celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), no such test exists for IBS.

Evaluating Novel RXR Agonists That Induce ApoE and Tyrosine Hydroxylase in Cultured Human Glioblastoma Cells.

There is considerable interest in identifying effective and safe drugs for neurodegenerative disorders. Cell culture and animal model work have demonstrated that modulating gene expression through RXR-mediated pathways may mitigate or reverse cognitive decline. However, because RXR is a dimeric partner for several transcription factors, activating off-target transcription is a concern with RXR ligands (rexinoids).

Gene Expression Profiling and Assessment of Vitamin D and Serotonin Pathway Variations in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Background/aims: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a multifaceted disorder that afflicts millions of individuals worldwide. IBS is currently diagnosed based on the presence/duration of symptoms and systematic exclusion of other conditions. A more direct manner to identify IBS is needed to reduce healthcare costs and the time required for accurate diagnosis.

Modeling, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Potential Retinoid X Receptor (RXR)-Selective Agonists: Analogues of 4-[1-(3,5,5,8,8-Pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-naphthyl)ethynyl]benzoic Acid (Bexarotene) and 6-(Ethyl(5,5,8,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl)amino)nicotinic Acid (NEt-TMN).

Sulfonic acid analogues of 4-[1-(3,5,5,8,8-pentamethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-2-naphthyl)ethynyl]benzoic acid (bexarotene, 1) as well as seven novel and two reported analogues of 6-(ethyl(5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthalen-2-yl)amino)nicotinic acid (NEt-TMN) were synthesized and assessed for selective retinoid X receptor (RXR) agonism. Compound 1 is FDA-approved for treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL); however, 1 can provoke side effects by impacting RXR-dependent receptor pathways. All of the analogues in this study were evaluated for their potential to bind RXR through modeling and then assayed in an RXR-RXR mammalian-2-hybrid (M2H) system and in RXR-responsive element (RXRE)-mediated transcriptional experiments.