Abnormalities of serotonin metabolism and their relation to symptoms in untreated celiac disease.

Background And Aims: Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) is a key modulator of gut function that in excess causes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. We recently showed that patients with post-infective irritable bowel syndrome have increased postprandial release of 5-HT associated with low-grade T-cell mediated inflammation. Celiac disease is another common disease in which a T-cell enteropathy is associated with increased mucosal 5-HT levels.

Abnormal intestinal permeability in subgroups of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndromes.

Objectives: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a heterogeneous condition and defined according to symptoms. Low-grade inflammation has been associated with IBS, particularly that following infection, but whether altered intestinal permeability profiles relate to irritable bowel subtype or onset is uncertain. Our aim was to compare small and large intestinal permeability in various subtypes of IBS to healthy controls.

Cytochrome P450 2E1 high activity polymorphism in alcohol abuse and end-organ disease.

Aim: To investigate a possible role for a recently identified polymorphism in the gene of cytochrome P450 2E1, the presence of which is associated with high activity of the enzyme.

Methods: Two hundred and thirty-nine alcohol consumers, ICD 10.1/.

Tumour necrosis factor microsatellite haplotypes are associated with chronic pancreatitis.

Context: Alcohol is the major aetiological agent for both chronic pancreatitis and alcoholic liver disease. However, as only a minority of alcoholics develop either chronic pancreatitis or alcoholic liver disease, there are clearly genetic or environmental cofactors that determine individual susceptibility to these diseases.

Objective: To determine whether polymorphisms of the TNF gene may account for individual susceptibility to develop chronic pancreatitis or alcoholic liver disease.

Gallbladder contraction, gastric emptying and antral motility: single visit assessment of upper GI function in untreated celiac disease using echo-planar MRI.

Purpose: To assess gallbladder contraction, gastric emptying, and antral motility in untreated celiac patients and healthy controls using a single MRI examination.

Materials And Methods: Gallbladder emptying, gastric emptying, and antral motility were measured in 15 celiac patients and 15 age/sex-matched healthy controls following a 323-kcal test meal using EPI techniques. Postprandial dyspepsia scores were recorded on a questionnaire.

Abnormalities of 5-hydroxytryptamine metabolism in irritable bowel syndrome.

Background & Aims: 5-hydroxytryptamine-3 (5-HT 3 ) receptor antagonists improve symptoms in patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (D-IBS), 5-HT 4 agonists help those with constipation-predominant IBS (C-IBS). These data suggest excess or deficiency in 5-HT in D-IBS or C-IBS, respectively. Mucosal 5-HT-containing enterochromaffin cells (EC) are increased in postinfectious IBS (PI-IBS).

Age-related decline in rectal mucosal lymphocytes and mast cells.

Background: Previous studies have shown that irritable bowel syndrome declines with age and is more common in women. Recent reports suggest that some diarrhoea predominant irritable bowel syndrome patients have low-grade inflammation with increased numbers of mucosal T lymphocytes, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) containing enteroendocrine cells and mast cells.

Objective: To determine whether there are age or gender-related changes in mucosal T lymphocytes, mast cells or enteroendocrine cells which might explain these findings.

Relative importance of enterochromaffin cell hyperplasia, anxiety, and depression in postinfectious IBS.

Background & Aims: Both psychological and mucosal changes (increased enterochromaffin [EC] cells and T lymphocytes) have been associated with postinfectious irritable bowel syndrome (PI-IBS). However, previous studies have been underpowered to determine the relative importance of these changes in predicting the development of PI-IBS. Our aim was to prospectively determine the relative importance of both psychological and histologic factors in the development of PI-IBS after Campylobacter infection.

Distinctive clinical, psychological, and histological features of postinfective irritable bowel syndrome.

Objective: Irritable bowel syndrome after gastroenteritis is well recognized. Our aim was to determine whether postinfective IBS (PI-IBS) has histological or clinical features that are distinct from those of IBS patients with no history of preceding infection.

Methods: A total of 75 consecutive IBS outpatients and 36 healthy control subjects completed a questionnaire detailing symptoms, mode of onset, and previous psychiatric history.