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Updated: Jul 11, 2026

Perturbations of Circulating miRNAs in Irritable Bowel Syndrome Detected Using a Multiplexed High-throughput Gene Expression Platform
Published on: November 30, 2016
Meta-analysis: a functional polymorphism in the gene encoding for activity of the serotonin transporter protein is
L A S Van Kerkhoven1, R J F Laheij, J B M J Jansen
1Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Radboud University, Nijmegen Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. l.vankerkhoven@mdl.umcn.nl
Background:
Serotonin is associated with symptoms of the irritable bowel syndrome, its action is terminated by the serotonin transporter protein.
Aim:
To assess the association between a functional polymorphism in the gene encoding for activity of the serotonin transporter protein and the irritable bowel syndrome.
Methods:
Meta-analysis of studies identified through a Medline, PubMed and Web of Science search, describing the prevalence of a polymorphism in the serotonin transporter gene creating long and short alleles.
Results:
Eight eligible studies described a total of 1034 patients with the irritable bowel syndrome, and 1377 healthy controls. Presence of the short allele is not associated with an increased risk for the irritable bowel syndrome: OR 1.0; 95% CI: 0.7-1.4 for homozygous subjects, and OR 1.0; 95% CI: 0.8-1.2 for homozygous subjects and heterozygotes together. Although Caucasians and Asians had diverging genotypic frequencies, no association with the shot allele and irritable bowel syndrome was observed in subgroups: Asians OR 1.2; 95% CI: 0.9-1.6 and OR 1.1; 95% CI: 0.2-5.9; Caucasians OR 0.9; 95% CI: 0.5-1.7 and OR 0.9; 95% CI: 0.7-1.2, respectively, for homozygous subjects alone and for homozygous subjects and heterozygotes together.
Conclusion:
A genetic polymorphism in the gene encoding for activity of the serotonin transporter protein is not associated with the irritable bowel.
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