Publications by authors named "Sean M P Bennet"
Background: Immune activity and gut microbiota may impact the pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). We aimed to determine whether antibacterial gene expression of immune activity-defined IBS patients differed compared to healthy subjects (HS) and ulcerative colitis (UC) patients and whether antibacterial profiles reflected gut microbiota composition and IBS symptoms.
Methods: Expression of 84 antibacterial genes in biopsies from HS, IBS patients (clustered according to immune activity (systemic and intestinal cytokines): immunonormal or immunoactive), and UC patients was assessed by Human Antibacterial Response RT Profiler PCR Array.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigated how different diets (traditional IBS vs. low FODMAP) affect gut bacteria in patients with IBS and whether bacterial profiles could predict response to these diets.
- Sixty-seven IBS patients were assigned to either diet for 4 weeks, with faecal samples and symptom severity scores collected to assess dietary impact on gut microbiota.
- Results showed that those on a low FODMAP diet had significant reductions in IBS symptoms, and their bacterial profiles could differentiate responders from non-responders, suggesting that dietary interventions may effectively modify gut bacteria.
Article Synopsis
- The study aimed to explore the differences in cytokine profiles between patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and healthy individuals, as well as the relationship between cytokine levels and the severity of IBS symptoms.
- The analysis involved serum and tissue samples from both groups, focusing on various cytokines; results showed overlapping cytokine profiles but greater variability in IBS patients, with some markers linked to symptom patterns.
- Despite no distinct cytokine profiles separating IBS patients from healthy subjects, a subgroup of IBS patients with elevated immune markers was identified, highlighting potential areas for further research.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a multifactorial functional disorder with no clearly defined etiology or pathophysiology. Modern culture-independent techniques have improved the understanding of the gut microbiota's composition and demonstrated that an altered gut microbiota profile might be found in at least some subgroups of IBS patients. Research on IBS from a microbial perspective is gaining momentum and advancing.
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