Study on the shifting of Th1/Th2 balance of large intestinal mucosa in patients with irritable bowel syndrome / 中华消化杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate possible disturbance of Th1/Th2 immunoregulation of large intestinal mucosa in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Methods Mucosal specimens were harvested from ascending, descending colon and rectum by colonoscopy in 58 patients with IBS and 20 healthy controls. The expressions of Th1 and Th2 cytokines were determined by immunohistochemical staining. Results The large intestinal mucosa of patients with IBS were general normal both under colonoscopy and conventional histological assessment on hemotoxylin and eosin stained (H E) sections. Compared with controls, the expressions of Th1 cytokine (IFN ?) in the ascending, descending colon and rectum were significantly increased in diarrhea predominant IBS (D IBS) patients. The expression of interleukin 12 (IL 12) in the rectum was also significantly increased. However, the expressions of Th2 cytokines (IL 10)) in D IBS patients were decreased, but no significant difference compared with controls. The expressions of IFN ? in post infection IBS (pIBS) patients were increased significantly compared with controls among D IBS patients. Besides, IL 12 in the ascending colon and rectum were significantly increased. The expressions of IL 4 and IL 10 in pIBS patients were decreased, but no significant difference compared with controls. The expressions of Th1 and Th2 cytokines in non pIBS patients have no significant difference compared with controls. In constipation predominant IBS (C IBS) patients, the expressions of Th1 and Th2 cytokines had no statistical difference compared with controls. Conclusions The shift of Th1/Th2 balance of colon and rectal mucosa in D IBS patients was demonstrated along with the enhanced Th1 activity. Infection affected the shift of Th1/Th2 balance in D IBS patients. Th1/Th2 balance has been maintained in C IBS patients.