Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Terminal ileal mucosal mast cells in irritable bowel syndrome

  • Original Articles
  • Published:
Digestive Diseases and Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Terminal ileal biopsies were prospectively obtained and stained specifically for mast cells in 20 patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and 15 controls. The number of terminal ileal mast cells per high powered field (MC/HPF) (mean ±SEM) was 23.3±3.1 for, IBS and 6.8±1.1 for controls (P=0.0001). The diarrhea IBS subgroup had the greatest number of MC/HPF. No correlation was found between terminal ileal mucosal mast cell counts (MMCC) and the number of Manning criteria present or the functional bowel disease score (r=0.06 andr=−0.31, respectively). We conclude that terminal ileal MMCC are significantly elevated in a majority of patients with IBS. The mast cell may be responsible for the altered visceral perception found in the gastrointestinal tract in patients with IBS. The poor correlation of the MMCC to the clinical features of IBS may be the result of the dynamic state of the mast cell.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Thompson WG, Heaton KW: Functional bowel disorders in apparently healthy people. Gastroenterology 79:283–288, 1980

    Google Scholar 

  2. Kirsner JB, Palmer WL: The irritable colon. Gastroenterology 34:491–501, 1958

    Google Scholar 

  3. Prior A, Maxton DG, Whorwell PJ: Anorectal manometry in irritable bowel syndrome: differences between diarrhea and constipation predominant subjects. Gut 31:458–462, 1990

    Google Scholar 

  4. Ritchie J: Pain from distension of the pelvic colon by inflating a balloon in the irritable bowel syndrome. Gut 14:125–132, 1973

    Google Scholar 

  5. Whitehead WE, Holtkotter B, Enck P, Hoelzl R, Holmes KD, Anthony J, Shabsin HS, Schuster MM: Tolerance for rectosigmoid distension in irritable bowel syndrome. Gastroenterology 98:1187–1192, 1990

    Google Scholar 

  6. Kellow JE, Phillips SF, Miller LJ, Zinsmeister AR: Dysmotility of the small intestine in irritable bowel syndrome. Gut 29:1236–1243, 1988

    Google Scholar 

  7. Stead RH, Dixon MF, Bramwell NH, Riddell RH, Bienenstock J: Mast cells are closely opposed to nerves in the human gastrointestinal mucosa. Gastroenterology 97:575–585, 1989

    Google Scholar 

  8. Perdue MH, Masson S, Wershil BK, Galli SJ: Role of mast cells in ion transport abnormalities associated with intestinal anaphylaxis. Correction of the diminshed secretory response in genetically mast cell-deficient W/Wv mice by bone marrow transplantation. J Clin Invest 87:687–693, 1991

    Google Scholar 

  9. Befus D: Regulation of gastrointestinal mast cells. Dig Dis Sci 37(6):967 (A-5), 1992

    Google Scholar 

  10. Oddson E, Rask-Madsen J, Krag E: A secretory epithelium of the small intestine with measured sensitivity to bile acids in irritable bowel syndrome associated with diarrhea. Scand J Gastroenterol 13:409–416, 1978

    Google Scholar 

  11. Kellow JE, Phillips SF: Altered small bowel motility in irritable bowel syndrome is correlated, with symptoms. Gastroenterology 92:1885–1893, 1987

    Google Scholar 

  12. Phillips S, Camilleri M: The ileocecal area and the irritable bowel syndrome. Gastroenterol Clin North Am 20(2):297–311, 1991

    Google Scholar 

  13. Trotman IF, Price CC: Bloated irritable bowel syndrome defined by dynamic99mTc-bran scan. Lancet 2:364–366, 1989

    Google Scholar 

  14. Manning AP, Thompson WG, Heaton KW, Morris AF: Towards positive diagnosis of the irritable bowel. Br Med J 2:653–654, 1978

    Google Scholar 

  15. Talley NJ, Phillips SF, Melton LJ, Wiltgen C, Zinsmeister AR: A patient questionnaire to identify bowel disease. Ann Intern Med 111:671–674, 1989

    Google Scholar 

  16. Talley NJ, Phillips SF, Melton LJ, Mulvihill C, Wiltgen C Zinsmeister AR: Diagnostic value of the Manning criteria in irritable bowel syndrome. Gut 31:77–81, 1990

    Google Scholar 

  17. Matter SE, Bhatia PS, Miner PB; Evaluation of antral mast cells in nonulcer dyspepsia. Dig Dis Sci 35:1358–1363, 1990

    Google Scholar 

  18. Lindeman RH, Merenda PF, Gold RZ: Introduction to Bivariate and Multivariate Analysis. Dallas, Scott, Foresman and Company, 1980

    Google Scholar 

  19. Chaudhary NA, Truelove SC: The irritable colon syndrome. Q J Med 123:307–322, 1962

    Google Scholar 

  20. Hiatt RB, Katz L: Mast cells in inflammatory conditions of the gastrointestinal tract. Am J Gastroenterol 37:541–545, 1962

    Google Scholar 

  21. Konturek SJ, Siebers R. Role of histamine H1- and H2- receptors in myoelectric activity of small bowel in the dog. Am J Physiol 238:G50-G56, 1980

    Google Scholar 

  22. Cooke HJ, Wang YZ, Rogers R: Mechanisms of neuralimmune system interactions. Dig Dis Sci 37(6):966(A-4), 1992

    Google Scholar 

  23. Cooke HJ, Nemeth PR, Wood JD: Histamine action on guinea pig ileal mucosa. Am J Physiol 246:G372-G377, 1984

    Google Scholar 

  24. Theoharides TC, Sant GR: Bladder mast cell activation in interstitial cystitis. Semin Urol 9(2):74–87, 1991

    Google Scholar 

  25. Askenase PW: Immunopathology of parasitic diseases: involvement of basophils and mast cells. Springer Semin Immunopathol 2:417–442, 1980

    Google Scholar 

  26. Befus AD, Bienenstock J: Immunologically mediated intestinal mastocytosis inNippostrongylus brasiliensis-infected rats. Immunology 38:95–101, 1979

    Google Scholar 

  27. Stefanini GF, Prati E, Albini MC, Piccinini G, Capelli S, Castelli E, Mazzetti M, Gasbarrini G: Oral disodium cromoglycate treatment on irritable bowel syndrome. An open study on 101 subjects with diarrheic type. Am J Gastroenterol 87:55–57, 1992

    Google Scholar 

  28. Greenbaum DS, Mayle JE, Vanegeren LE, Jerome JA, Mayor JW, Greenbaum RB, Matson RW, Stein GE, Dean HA, Halvorsen NA, Rosen LW: Effects of desipramine on irritable bowel syndrome compared with atropine and placebo. Dig Dis Sci 32:257–266, 1987

    Google Scholar 

  29. Hislop IG: Psychological significance of the irritable colon syndrome. Gut 12:452–457, 1971

    Google Scholar 

  30. Diamond S: Amitriptyline in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. Psychosomatics 5:221–224, 1964

    Google Scholar 

  31. Kasich AM: Management of emotional disorders, anxiety and depression, in patients with gastrointestinal disease. Curr Ther Res 7(9):542–547, 1965

    Google Scholar 

  32. Thompson WG: A strategy for management of the irritable bowel. Am J Gastroenterol 81(2):95–100, 1986

    Google Scholar 

  33. Brannan DP, Drossman DA: Toward a newer understanding of irritable bowel syndrome. Contemp Intern Med September: 73–91, 1991

  34. Kachur JF, Allbee WE, Gaginella TS: Antihistaminic and antimuscarinic effects of amitriptyline on guinea pig ileal electrolyte transport and muscle contractilityin vitro. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 245(2):455–459, 1988

    Google Scholar 

  35. Theoharides TC, Bondy PK, Tsakalos ND, Askenase PW: Differential release of serotonin and histamine from mast cells. Nature 297:229–231, 1982

    Google Scholar 

  36. Prior A, Read NW: Reduction of rectal sensitivity and postprandial motility by granisetron, a 5HT3 receptor antagonist, in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (BIS). Gut 31:A1174, 1990

    Google Scholar 

  37. Mathias JR, Ferguson KL, Clench MH: Debilitating “functional” bowel disease controlled by leuprolide acetate, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analog. Dig Dis Sci 34(5):761–766, 1989

    Google Scholar 

  38. Plourde V, Mertz H, Sytnik B, Tache Y, Mayer EA: Effects of somatostatin analogue on sensory perception to rectal balloon distension. Dig Dis Sci 47(6):976(A-14), 1992

    Google Scholar 

  39. Klein KB: Controlled treatment trials in the irritable bowel syndrome: A critique. Gastroenterology 95:232–241, 1988

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine 4035 Delp, University of Kansas Hospital, 39th and Rainbow Blvd., 66103, Kansas City, Kansas

    Allan P. Weston MD, Wendy L. Biddle PhD, RNC, Paramjit S. Bhatia MD &  Philip B. Miner Jr MD

Authors
  1. Allan P. Weston MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Wendy L. Biddle PhD, RNC
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Paramjit S. Bhatia MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Philip B. Miner Jr MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Weston, A.P., Biddle, W.L., Bhatia, P.S. et al. Terminal ileal mucosal mast cells in irritable bowel syndrome. Digest Dis Sci 38, 1590–1595 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01303164

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01303164

Key Words

Search

Navigation