RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The surface of endothelial cells is covered with cell adhesion molecules including E-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) that mediate the adhesion and extravasation of leukocytes and play a pivotal role in inflammatory response. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of expression of adhesion molecules in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients, and normal colonic mucosa. MATERIALS AND METHODS: IBS and IBD patients along with normal colonic mucosa were recruited in the study. In all groups, two biopsies were taken from each of the three anatomical sites (terminal ileum, cecum, and rectum). Three monoclonal antibodies, E-selectin mAb, VCAM-1 mAb, and ICAM-1 mAb, were applied for immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS: In IBD patients, the expression of intensity of E-selectin, VCAM-1, and ICAM-1 was found decreased, at least in cecum and rectum, in comparison with IBS patients and controls (P < 0.001, P < 0.005, and P < 0.007, respectively). Comparison of the expression of intensity of the aforementioned molecules in IBS patients and controls revealed significant augmentation at the cecum and rectum of IBS patients. CONCLUSIONS: The expression of adhesion molecules appeared lower in IBD patients compared to IBS patients and controls. In addition, the expression of adhesion molecules appeared higher in IBS compared to the control group. Therefore, it could be hypothesized that the expression of adhesion molecules could be considered as an early event in the process of proinflammatory IBS group and may be other factors play a crucial role in the process of intestinal inflammation in IBD patients.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disease often considered as a functional intestinal disorder. Inflammation in IBS is a quite intriguing theory. The aim of this study was to investigate tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1ß and IL-6 expression in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients, IBS patients and normal controls. METHODS: IBS and IBD patients along with normal controls were recruited in the study. In all groups, 2 pinch biopsies were taken at each of 3 anatomical sites (terminal ileum, cecum, and rectum). IBS patients were also subcategorized according to the syndrome clinical manifestations. Two monoclonal antibodies (mAb), TNF-α mAb and IL-6 mAb, and one polyclonal antibody IL-1ß mAb were applied for immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS: In IBD patients intensity of TNF-α and IL-1ß were lower than in IBS patients or controls, while IL-6 was significantly increased comparing to the aforementioned groups. In IBS patients TNF-α was increased comparing to IBD patients or controls, while IL-6 and IL-1ß were similar to controls. In IBS subgroups, TNF-α was lower in diarrhea predominant IBS patients and higher constipation predominant IBS patients. Differences among IBS subgroups regarding IL-6 and IL-1ß were nonsignificant. CONCLUSIONS: IL-6 seems to be the most important proinflammatory cytokine in IBD patients, while TNF-α could play a more significant role in IBS pathogenesis.
