A genetic association between ß3-aderenoceptor and cholinergic receptor muscarinic 3 polymorphisms in irritable bowel syndrome.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We examined the association of ß3-adrenoceptor (ß3-AR) and cholinergic receptor muscarinic 3 (CHRM3) polymorphisms with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

METHODOLOGY

DNA was obtained from 81 IBS patients (39 diarrhea type, IBS-D; 25 constipation type, IBS-C, 5 mixed type, IBS-M; and 12 unsubtyped, IBS-U) and 73 controls. For the analyses IBS-(M + U) was combined into one group (NonDNonC). ß3-AR and CHRM3 polymorphisms were determined by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method.

RESULTS

The ß3-AR genotype frequencies of T/C in IBS patients were significantly higher compared to those in controls. The distribution of the CHRM3 genotypes, C/C, T/C and T/T, was not significantly different between IBS patients and controls. The distribution of the ß3-AR and CHRM3 genotypes was not significantly different between IBS-D, IBS-C and NonDNonC. The frequencies of the CHRM3 genotypes in IBS were significantly different between disease duration greater than and less than 3 years.

CONCLUSIONS

ß3-AR polymorphisms in IBS patients are different compared to controls, and CHRM3 polymorphisms are also likely associated with disease duration in IBS. ß3-AR and CHRM3 polymorphisms could be associated with IBS.