[Serotonin transporter gene polymorphism in irritable bowel syndrome].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association of serotonin transporter (SERT) gene polymorphism with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

METHODS

The VNTRs and 5-HTTLPR polymorphism of SERT gene was assessed with polymerase chain reaction in 81 patients with IBS and 48 healthy subjects(HS).

RESULTS

Compared with HS, IBS patients have a greater frequency of STin2.12/10 genotype in VNTRs region and a smaller frequency of STin2.12/12 genotype, however no significant difference was found in polymorphism of this region among the patients with C-IBS, D-IBS and A-IBS. We also found that the 5-HTTLPR allele L/L genotype occurred with greater frequency in C-IBS patients than in other two subgroups, whereas the L/S genotype occurred with smaller frequency in C-IBS. The frequency of association between 12/12 genotype and L/L genotype (12/12-L/L) in C-IBS was significantly higher than those in A-IBS and HS.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of STin2.12/10 genotype may be correlated with IBS. The presence of L/L genotype and 12/12-L/L genotype association in IBS patients carries an increased risk of C-IBS, whereas the presence of the L/S genotype carries an increased risk of D-IBS and A-IBS.