Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Perturbations of Circulating miRNAs in Irritable Bowel Syndrome Detected Using a Multiplexed High-throughput Gene Expression Platform
Published on: November 30, 2016
5-hydroxytryptamine signalling in irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhoea: effects of gender and menstrual status
L A Houghton1, H Brown, W Atkinson
1Neurogastroenterology Unit, School of Translational Medicine-GI Sciences, University of Manchester, Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, UK. Lesley.Houghton@manchester.ac.uk
Background:
Symptomatology and physiology differ between men and women and across the menstrual cycle in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Ovarian hormones influence 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), an amine known to play a role in gut motor-sensory function.
Aim:
To assess the effects of gender and menstrual status on platelet-depleted plasma (PDP) 5-HT concentration in IBS patients with diarrhoea (IBS-D) patients compared with healthy volunteers (HV).
Methods:
Platelet-depleted plasma 5-HT concentrations were assessed under fasting and fed conditions in 73 IBS-D patients (aged 18-58 years; 18 men) and 64 HV (aged 18-50 years; 24 men). Women were divided into those with low or high progesterone/oestrogen (P/O) levels.
Results:
Irritable bowel syndrome patients with diarrhoea had higher PDP 5-HT concentrations than HV under fasting (P = 0.002) and fed (P = 0.049) conditions. This was particularly related to IBS-D men having higher PDP 5-HT concentrations than healthy controls (P = 0.002). Moreover, PDP 5-HT concentrations in IBS-D women with low P/O levels were similar to healthy controls.
Conclusions:
Similar to IBS-D women with high P/O levels, IBS-D men also have raised PDP 5-HT concentrations. 5-HT concentration normalizes at menses in IBS-D women, suggesting a shift in the mechanisms responsible for abnormal 5-HT signalling in these patients.
Related Concept Videos
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Serotonin Receptor Agonists
Irritable Bowel Syndrome I: Introduction
IBS is a chronic condition that can persist over a long period or recur frequently.
The pathogenesis of IBS involves a complex interplay of the following factors:
Altered...
Drugs for Treatment of Diarrhea-Predominant IBS
Two specific drugs used in the treatment are alosetron (Lotronex) and eluxadoline (Viberzi). Alosetron, a 5-HT3 antagonist, works by slowing the movement of stools in the gut, reducing bowel...
Irritable Bowel Syndrome II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Evaluation
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is classified into subtypes based on the predominant bowel habits as determined by the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS). The subtypes are:
Irritable Bowel Syndrome III: Medical and Nursing Management
