Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 22, 2026
Perturbations of Circulating miRNAs in Irritable Bowel Syndrome Detected Using a Multiplexed High-throughput Gene Expression Platform
Published on: November 30, 2016
Total Bilirubin Is Associated with Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth in Diarrhea Predominant Irritable Bowel
So-Young Kim1, Young-Seok Seo2, Eun-Sub Lee1
1Department of Family Practice and Community Health, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do, Korea.
Background:
Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can cause microscopic mucosal inflammation and oxidative damage. Bilirubin is a marker of oxidant stress that is responsible for anti-oxidative activities. The objective of this research was to determine whether or not total bilirubin is associated with SIBO according to IBS subtypes.
Materials And Methods:
We retrospectively reviewed the charts of patients who showed IBS symptoms with documented results of lactulose breath test for SIBO. Multivariate models were used in order to assess the relationship of total bilirubin with SIBO according to IBS subtypes. In addition, we observed changes in total bilirubin when SIBO was treated with rifaximin in the relevant IBS subtype.
Results:
The total bilirubin level of subjects with SIBO was significantly higher than it was in those without. An examination according to IBS subtype groups showed that total bilirubin was independently associated with SIBO only in the subjects with diarrhea-predominant IBS subtype (OR: 2.723, 95% CI: [1.303-5.692], p<0.001). Additionally, a decrease in total bilirubin level and overall improvement of abdominal symptoms were observed following rifaximin treatment.
Conclusions:
These findings suggest that total bilirubin levels may provide additional information regarding the presence of SIBO in diarrhea-predominant IBS patients.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Irritable 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...
01:30Irritable 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:
01:30Irritable Bowel Syndrome III: Medical and Nursing Management
01:17Drugs 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...
01:29Bacterial Flora of the Large Intestine
The normal gut flora of the colon plays a critical role in generating essential vitamins such as vitamins K, B5, and B7.
01:21Drugs for Treatment of Constipation-Predominant IBS