Analyzing IBS to Identify Biomarkers and Microbiome Signatures

The pathophysiology of IBS is not well understood. Preliminary studies support IBS-D patients with varied microbiome fingerprints, vitamin D levels, and blood serotonin levels compared to non-IBS patients. The investigators have novel 3-D immunocompetent intestinal models to establish a new model of high fidelity disease to examine the relationship of IBS-D patients gut microbiome, with supplemental vitamin D levels, and the relationship of blood serotonin and vitamin D levels. IBS-D patients and healthy controls will be asked to provide a fecal sample, a biopsy sample of colonic tissue obtained during a clinically appropriate flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy, and a blood sample. There will be 1-2 office visits. One visit will last 30 minutes, the second visit no longer than 3 hours. This study is funded by a combined MAYO-Arizona State University seed grant. The samples will be analyzed at ASU. Our long-term goal is to understand the relationship between gut microbiome, vitamin D levels, host gene expression, serotonin levels, and IBS-D symptoms that could ultimately be used as a testing platform for treatment and prevention of this highly prevalent disorder.

Inclusion criteria

IBS-D subjects:

• Patients who fulfill IBS-D criteria, without causes of active inflammation.
• active symptoms for at least 2 months
• diagnosed at least 6 months prior to enrollment

Healthy Control:

• Healthy control patients should have no active infection or inflammation.

Exclusion criteria

• does not meet inclusion criteria
• will not participate in blood draw, stool sample donation, or endoscopy
• history of acute illness within 3 months of testing
• any fecal transplant history