Altered Sigmoid Mucosal Innervation and Mast Cell Proximity to Sensory Nerve Fibers Are Associated With Symptom Severity in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Peripheral neuronal pathways contribute to the pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Aims

To use high-resolution three-dimensional (3D) imaging and computerized quantification to compare the density and proximity of distinct nerve fibers (NFs) to mast cells (MCs) in sigmoid mucosal biopsies from patients with constipation-predominant IBS (IBS-C), diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D), and healthy controls (HCs).

Methods

Sigmoid biopsies from 23 IBS patients (10 IBS-C [6 females]; 13 IBS-D [7 females]) and 12 HCs (6 females) were processed, NFs and MCs were immunostained and 3D images were analyzed using Imaris software to quantify NF density and proximity to MCs. Data were correlated with the IBS Severity Scoring System (IBS-SSS) and abdominal pain

SUBMITTER: Yuan PQ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12623276 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature