Inflammatory biomarkers in IBS and IBD. Version 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The evaluation of novel biomarkers of low-grade inflammation in irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease
IRAS ID
203587
Contact name
Anton Emmanuel
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic condition characterised by a poorly regulated and inappropriate immune response, leading to inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. On the other hand, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic functional bowel disorder, where gut-derived symptoms arise in the absence of any structural cause. However, recently, consistent evidence has arisen that demonstrates the presence of subclinical inflammation in at least a subset of patients with IBS, albeit in orders of magnitude lower to that seen in IBD.
Better understanding of the nature and role of this subclinical inflammation is crucial as it opens up possibilities of novel therapeutic targets. Thus far, investigation into biomarkers of inflammation in IBS has predominantly relied on invasive methods and has been limited in the breadth of potentially identifiable biomarkers. Aside from these methodological issues, two groups in whom the role of subclinical inflammation remains unstudied are those IBS patients with raised faecal calprotectin (FC) level (a marker of intestinal inflammation), and those IBD patients in remission, who have IBS-like symptoms.
We plan to use two novel and minimally invasive techniques in an attempt to identify new biomarkers of low-grade inflammation in these patients. We will measure the levels of volatile compounds produced by gut bacteria in stool samples. We will also obtain inflammatory analytes by sampling colonic lining fluid from study subjects using an absorptive membrane introduced via rigid sigmoidoscopy; a large array of analytes within this fluid will be measured using modern immunoassay testing.
The patient groups in whom we will study these biomarkers are (1) IBS, (2) active IBD, (3) IBD in remission, with IBS-like symptoms, (4) IBS patients with elevated FC. By identifying new biomarkers we aim to gain new insights into the pathogenesis of these conditions, and open the possibility of new therapeutic targets.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds West Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/YH/0318
Date of REC Opinion
25 Jul 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion