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Substance P in rectal mucosa of children with chronic constipation
E Granot1, D Wengrower, J Lysy
1Department of Pediatrics, Hadassah University Hospital, Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel.
Insights
Substance P levels in the rectal mucosa of children with chronic idiopathic constipation were lower than in healthy children. These findings suggest a potential role for motility issues in childhood constipation.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Neurogastroenterology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Idiopathic constipation is a common pediatric issue.
- Substance P is a neuropeptide involved in gastrointestinal motility.
- Altered neuropeptide levels may contribute to constipation pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate Substance P levels in rectal mucosa of children with idiopathic constipation.
- To compare these levels with healthy controls and explore correlations with clinical factors.
Main Methods:
- Radioimmunoassay was used to quantify Substance P in rectal mucosa biopsies.
- 17 children with chronic idiopathic constipation and 9 healthy children were studied.
- Data were analyzed for differences and correlations with age and symptom duration.
Main Results:
- Rectal mucosa Substance P levels were lower in constipated children compared to controls, though not statistically significant.
- Substance P levels did not differ between constipated children with and without soiling.
- Levels in constipated children were intermediate between healthy adults and adults with chronic constipation.
Conclusions:
- Findings suggest a possible motility derangement in childhood idiopathic constipation.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the role of Substance P in pediatric constipation.
- Substance P levels may serve as a potential biomarker for gastrointestinal motility disorders in children.
Abstract:
Substance P content was determined by radioimmunoassay in rectal mucosa of 17 children with idiopathic constipation and 9 with normal bowel movements who were used as controls. In children with chronic idiopathic constipation, rectal mucosa substance P levels were lower than levels in the control group: 47.6 +/- 11 vs. 79.4 +/- 11 pg/mg net weight respectively (differences not statistically significant). Substance P levels in rectal mucosa of children with soiling (11/17) did not differ from those of chronically constipated children without soiling (46.0 +/- 16 vs. 50.5 +/- 19 pg/mg net weight). In children with constipation, substance P levels did not correlate either with age or duration of symptoms. Substance P levels in normal controls were similar to levels previously observed in non-constipated adults, whereas levels in constipated children were intermediate between levels observed in healthy subjects and levels in adults with chronic constipation. These findings may point to a motility derangement as a possible factor in the pathogenesis of chronic constipation in childhood.