Clinical Trial: The Role of Intestinal Inflammation in Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Observational

Official Title: The Role of Intestinal Inflammation in the Pathophysiology of IBS

Brief Summary: The research project addresses the following hypotheses (A) the normal balance of beneficial and detrimental commensal intestinal bacteria is deranged in IBS, with selective alterations in clinically defined patient subsets i.e., diarrhea predominant IBS (D-IBS) and post-infectious IBS (PI-IBS); (B) these changes in intestinal microflora are associated with sub-clinical mucosal inflammation and activation of the mucosal immune system; and (C) activation of the mucosal immune system leads to alterations in gastrointestinal (GI) functions (i.e., motility and sensation) and functional symptoms.

Detailed Summary: There are two main aims in the research study. The first aim is to determine whether sub-clinical mucosal inflammation occurs in patients with D-IBS by identifying alterations in mucosal markers for inflammation (inflammatory cytokines and inflammation-related mediators). The second aim is to investigate whether the identifiable alterations in inflammatory markers are associated with specific abnormalities in intestinal motor and sensory functions that are relevant to the pathophysiology of IBS.
Sponsor: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

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Information By: University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Dates:
Date Received: February 18, 2010
Date Started: January 2009
Date Completion:
Last Updated: December 11, 2013
Last Verified: December 2013