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Decreased interleukin-10 secretion by peripheral blood mononuclear cells in children with irritable bowel syndrome
Man-Chin Hua1, Ming-Wei Lai, Ming-Ling Kuo
1Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Taiwan.
Insights
Children with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) show reduced anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 production. This suggests immune system dysregulation may play a role in pediatric IBS development.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Immunology
- Microbiology
Background:
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder in children.
- The role of immune system dysregulation, specifically cytokine profiles, in pediatric IBS is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate and compare proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels in children diagnosed with IBS versus healthy controls.
- To investigate the relationship between cytokine levels and IBS symptom severity, particularly pain intensity.
Main Methods:
- Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from 35 children with IBS and 25 healthy children.
- Cells were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and cytokine production (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10) was measured via ELISA.
- Participants completed questionnaires on IBS duration, severity, and impact.
Main Results:
- Children with IBS exhibited significantly lower baseline and LPS-stimulated interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels compared to healthy controls.
- Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and IL-6 levels were numerically higher in IBS patients, though not significantly.
- Lower IL-10 levels correlated with higher pain intensity in IBS patients, especially under LPS stimulation.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric IBS patients demonstrate impaired production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10.
- These findings suggest that immune modulation defects may contribute to the pathophysiology of IBS in children.
- Further research into immune responses could inform novel therapeutic strategies for pediatric IBS.
Background And Aims:
The aim of the present study was to evaluate proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels in children with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Patients And Methods:
Thirty-five children with IBS (17 diarrhea-predominant, 7 constipation-predominant, and 11 mixed type) and 25 healthy children as healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled. All of the participants completed a questionnaire recording the duration, severity, and associated academic and social influences. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated and cultured for 24 hours with and without 1 or 5 ng/mL Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Cytokine production including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-10 was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.
Results:
Children with IBS revealed lower baseline and significantly lower IL-10 levels after LPS stimulation compared with HCs (P = 0.001). Although not to a significant level, TNF-α and IL-6 levels were higher in children with IBS compared with HCs. The IL-10 levels in patients with IBS with strong pain intensity were lower both in baseline and under 1 ng/mL LPS stimulation. The levels became significantly lower under 5 ng/mL LPS stimulation compared with those experiencing mild and moderate pain intensity (P = 0.025).
Conclusions:
Our study suggests that children with IBS tend to produce lower amounts of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 at baseline and after LPS stimulation, implying that defects in immune modulation may contribute to IBS in children.
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