Identification of gender-determined epigenetic profiles in the pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome
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ABSTRACT: The role of environmental factors and gender disparities as determinants of health is incontrovertible. In the digestive sphere, it is noteworthy that one of the most prevalent diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has a predominance in females. The origin of IBS is related to mucosal microinflammation phenomena, psychosocial stress, and in the last years, alterations in gut microbiota. Recent observations from our group in healthy subjects, demonstrate that both chronic psychosocial stress, and female gender per se determine a significant intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction in response to intercurrent stimuli, which, in susceptible individuals, could result in an early stage in the development of more lasting changes and the onset of clinical manifestations of IBS. Although the intimate mechanisms involved in stress-induced intestinal pathophysiology are not well known, diverse studies suggest that gut microbiota alteration, through epigenetic modifications of the main stress-mediators could be one of them. However, solid scientific evidence demonstrating the influence of stress on gut microbiota and epigenetics of the main stress-mediators is missing. Therefore, we want to investigate and characterize gender-dependent epigenetic modifications involved in intestinal barrier dysfunction in response to acute stress. The identification of gender-dependent abnormal epigenetic patterns related to female gender dysfunction can make a breakthrough in the understanding of the pathophysiology of the regulation of intestinal permeability, and promote positive diagnostic and therapeutic future progress in IBS.
ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens
SUBMITTER:
PROVIDER: E-MTAB-10158 | biostudies-arrayexpress |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-arrayexpress
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