Unbalanced expression of protease-activated receptors-1 and -2 in the colon of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome patients.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to determine whether a changed expression ratio of PAR-1 and PAR-2 in the colon is associated with diarrhea-predominant IBS patients.

METHODS

PAR-1, -2, thrombin, mast cell tryptase, tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH), and chromgranin A (ChrA) in colonic biopsy samples from 10 diarrhea-predominant IBS patients and 13 healthy control subjects were semiquantified with immunofluorescence and image analysis. Serotonin concentrations in biopsy samples were evaluated by capillary electrophoresis.

RESULTS

Significantly lower expression of PAR-1 and higher expression of mast cell tryptase was detected in the colons of patients, with statistically unchanged expression of PAR-2. Thrombin-, TPH-, and ChrA-positive cells were markedly increased in IBS patients, but no significant difference in serotonin concentration existed in the colons between two groups. The ratio of PAR-1/PAR-2 expression was significantly decreased in patients (0.33+/-0.19 versus 0.66+/-0.22, P=0.001) and negatively correlated to ChrA-positive cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Changed expression ratio of PAR-1 to PAR-2 in the colon is connected with diarrhea-predominant IBS patients. Methods to restore an appropriate balance of PAR-1 and PAR-2 activation in the colon may offer a promising future therapeutic strategy for IBS patients.