Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 19, 2026

Author Spotlight: Genetic Profiling for Fluorouracil Response in Gastric Cancer
Published on: May 10, 2024
Association of Serotonin Transporter Promoter Polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) with Microscopic Colitis and Ulcerative Colitis
Arbab Sikander1, Saroj Kant Sinha, Kaushal Kishor Prasad
1College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Post Box No. 114, Jazan, 45142, K.S.A, arbab_bio1@yahoo.com.
Background:
Serotonin (5-HT) release and serotonin reuptake transporter (5-HTT) expression have been reported to be decreased in experimental colitis, in interleukin-10 knockout-associated colitis, and in patients with ulcerative colitis. Serotonin is known to play an important role in the pathogenesis of colitis, but individual genetic variants of 5-HTT gene in microscopic colitis and ulcerative colitis are not known.
Aim:
This study aimed to evaluate the association between the serotonin transporter gene promoter polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) and 5-HT concentration in microscopic colitis (MC) and ulcerative colitis (UC) patients.
Method:
This prospective case-control study included 41 patients with microscopic colitis (age 19-82 years, mean 35 ± 13.6), 75 patients with ulcerative colitis (age 16-65 years, mean 38.5 ± 11.6), and 100 controls (age 20-64 years, mean 38 ± 11). 5-HTTLPR gene polymorphism was studied by polymerase chain reaction-based assay. 5-HT levels were measured by ELISA.
Results:
The frequency of the 5-HTTLPR (SS) genotype was significantly lower in MC (12 %) patients compared to controls (30 %) (p < 0.05). When the L/L and L/S genotypes were combined into one group, the frequencies of the non-S genotype were significantly higher than those of S/S genotype between the MC patients and the controls (p < 0.05). 5-HT levels were significantly higher in UC and MC patients compared to healthy controls (p < 0.01).
Conclusions:
A significant association was observed between LL genotype of 5-HTTLPR polymorphism and microscopic colitis, suggesting that 5-HTTLPR is a potential candidate gene involved in the pathogenesis of microscopic colitis. Serotonin levels were significantly higher in microscopic colitis and ulcerative colitis patients compared to healthy controls.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Serotonin Receptor Agonists
Pharmacogenetics of Drug Targets: β₂-Adrenergic Receptors, Apo E, Thymidylate Synthase
Pharmacogenetics of Drug Transporters: P-Glycoprotein and Solute Carrier Transporters
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease
Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Ulcerative Colitis
Pharmacogenetic Phenotypes: Alterations in Pharmacokinetics, Drug Targets and Biologic Milieu

