ASSOCIATION BETWEEN INTESTINAL MICROFLORA AND MUCOSAL INFLAMMATION IN IBS

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. This is a pilot study to develop protocols for collection and analysis of intestinal microflora and subclinical inflammation in patients with Irritable bowel syndrome and healthy controls. The study is looking at collecting biological specimens, stool, colonic mucosal samples, and blood. The protocols and preliminary data from this study will be used for development of future protocols and submission of larger grants in which we aim to investigate if a normal balance of intestinal bacteria (microflora) plays a role in IBS, if changes in intestinal microflora lead to mucosal inflammation and activation of the mucosal immune system, and if these changes lead to alterations in GI functions and functional symptoms. In addition, this study will help determine if sub-clinical intestinal inflammation in IBS can be assessed by measuring inflammatory markers in peripheral blood and stool samples (i.e., if the more practical biomarkers for inflammation in stool and peripheral blood correlate with the gold standard measure of inflammation by mucosal cytokines). The study will recruit 10 IBS subjects and 10 healthy control subjects.