Expression of neurokinin-1 receptor in colonic mucosa of patients with ulcerative colitis / 中华消化杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the expression of neurokinin 1 receptor (NK 1R) in the biopsy specimens of colonic mucosa in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). The relation between the expression of NK 1R and clinical severity of UC was also evaluated. Methods UC tissues were obtained from 38 patients (23 males and 15 females) undergoing colonoscopy. Normal human colon tissues were obtained from 15 irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients (8 males and 7 females). Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR), western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to determine the expression of NK 1R. Results NK 1R mRNA expression level was enhanced in mucosae of UC compared with that of IBS. The overexpression of NK 1R was related to the severity of UC. Western blot analysis revealed that the overexpression of NK 1R protein level existed in UC. Immunohistochemistry showed moderate to strong NK 1R immunoreactivity which was localized in mononuclear cells and lymphoid follicles of lamina propria and in the crypt surface, epithelium, lymphoid follicles, submucosal arterioles and myenteric plexus neurones in the colonic mucosa of UC. Conclusions In patients with UC, the overexpression of NK 1R may be involved in the pathophysiological change in the disease and may contribute to the disruption of neuropeptide loop balance and deterioration of clinical condition.