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Unbalanced expression of protease-activated receptors-1 and -2 in the colon of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome patients

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Abstract

Objective

The aim of this study is to determine whether a changed expression ratio of PAR-1 and PAR-2 in the colon is associated with diarrhea-predominant IBS patients.

Methods

PAR-1, -2, thrombin, mast cell tryptase, tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH), and chromgranin A (ChrA) in colonic biopsy samples from 10 diarrhea-predominant IBS patients and 13 healthy control subjects were semiquantified with immunofluorescence and image analysis. Serotonin concentrations in biopsy samples were evaluated by capillary electrophoresis.

Results

Significantly lower expression of PAR-1 and higher expression of mast cell tryptase was detected in the colons of patients, with statistically unchanged expression of PAR-2. Thrombin-, TPH-, and ChrA-positive cells were markedly increased in IBS patients, but no significant difference in serotonin concentration existed in the colons between two groups. The ratio of PAR-1/PAR-2 expression was significantly decreased in patients (0.33 ± 0.19 versus 0.66 ± 0.22, P = 0.001) and negatively correlated to ChrA-positive cells.

Conclusions

Changed expression ratio of PAR-1 to PAR-2 in the colon is connected with diarrhea-predominant IBS patients. Methods to restore an appropriate balance of PAR-1 and PAR-2 activation in the colon may offer a promising future therapeutic strategy for IBS patients.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by grants from the Jockey Club Institute of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong (JCICM-16-02), and Hong Kong Baptist University Faculty research Grant (FRG/06-07/II-72).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong SAR, China

    Zhao Xiang Bian, Zhi Li, Man Zhang & Hong Li Chen

  2. Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Peoples Republic of China

    Zhi Xin Huang

  3. Hong Kong Jockey Club Institute of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong SAR, China

    Hong Xi Xu

  4. Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China

    Joseph J. Y. Sung

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  1. Zhao Xiang Bian
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Correspondence to Zhao Xiang Bian.

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Bian, Z.X., Li, Z., Huang, Z.X. et al. Unbalanced expression of protease-activated receptors-1 and -2 in the colon of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome patients. J Gastroenterol 44, 666–674 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00535-009-0058-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00535-009-0058-2

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