Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 27, 2026
05:08
A TNBS-Induced Rodent Model to Study the Pathogenic Role of Mechanical Stress in Crohn's Disease
Published on: March 1, 2022
Subjective and Objective Stress in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
Susanna Jäghult1, Susana Soto Villagran2, Anna Kalpouzou3
1Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset, Karolinska Institutet, SE-118 82 Stockholm, Sweden.
Life (Basel, Switzerland)
|June 26, 2026
Summary
This study found no difference in objective stress (cortisol) between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) relapse and remission. However, pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8 were higher during relapse, suggesting a link between inflammation and IBD activity.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Immunology
- Psychoneuroendocrinology
Background:
- The relationship between stress and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) course requires further investigation.
- Existing research lacks clarity on subjective versus objective stress and stress levels during IBD relapse versus remission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate patients' stress levels during active IBD relapse and remission.
- To compare subjective and objective stress measurements in IBD patients.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-three active IBD patients provided saliva and blood samples for cortisol and cytokine analysis.
- Patients completed the Short Health Scale (SHS) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) questionnaires.
- Measurements were taken during relapse and remission, with disease activity confirmed by endoscopy and fecal calprotectin.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in salivary cortisol or PSS scores between relapse and remission.
- Significantly lower levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8 were observed during remission compared to active disease (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively).
Conclusions:
- Patients with IBD reported low to moderate perceived stress during both active disease and remission.
- Elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8) were found during IBD relapse, but objective stress markers (cortisol) did not differ.
- Further research is necessary to elucidate the stress-IBD association and its impact on patients.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) encompasses two major chronic disorders—ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease—each characterized by relapsing episodes of gastrointestinal inflammation. Although they share certain clinical features, their patterns of involvement and manifestations differ in ways that aid diagnosis and guide management.Ulcerative ColitisUlcerative colitis is limited to the colon and rectum and involves continuous inflammation of the mucosal layer. The disease course is marked...
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy
Various diagnostic tests are employed in the diagnostic process for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), particularly to differentiate between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the colonic...
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the colonic...
01:17Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System I: Subjective Data
Assessing the gastrointestinal (GI) system is a complex process that begins with collecting subjective data. This data, collected through patient interviews, provides crucial insights into the patient's health history, perception patterns, and lifestyle habits, all contributing significantly to GI health.
Health History
The initial step in assessing the GI system is obtaining a comprehensive health history. This includes inquiring about the patient's history or presence of problems related to...
Health History
The initial step in assessing the GI system is obtaining a comprehensive health history. This includes inquiring about the patient's history or presence of problems related to...
01:17Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction
Chronic bowel diseases are a group of long-term conditions affecting the digestive tract, characterized by inflammation and damage to the gut lining. These conditions primarily include irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
01:17Irritable Bowel Syndrome I: Introduction
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is characterized by functional disturbances in the gastrointestinal system, presenting a cluster of symptoms without evident structural or biochemical abnormalities. It primarily affects the large intestine and may cause abdominal pain, bloating, excessive gas, diarrhea, constipation, or both.
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...
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...
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease
Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by transmural...
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by transmural...