title: Association of Serotonin Transporter Promoter Polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) with Microscopic Colitis and Ulcerative Colitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Serotonin (5-HT) release and serotonin reuptake transporter (5-HTT) expression have been reported to be decreased in experimental colitis, in interleukin-10 knockout-associated colitis, and in patients with ulcerative colitis. Serotonin is known to play an important role in the pathogenesis of colitis, but individual genetic variants of 5-HTT gene in microscopic colitis and ulcerative colitis are not known.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to evaluate the association between the serotonin transporter gene promoter polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) and 5-HT concentration in microscopic colitis (MC) and ulcerative colitis (UC) patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective case-control study included 41 patients with microscopic colitis (age 19-82 years, mean 35 ± 13.6), 75 patients with ulcerative colitis (age 16-65 years, mean 38.5 ± 11.6), and 100 controls (age 20-64 years, mean 38 ± 11). 5-HTTLPR gene polymorphism was studied by polymerase chain reaction-based assay. 5-HT levels were measured by ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The frequency of the 5-HTTLPR (SS) genotype was significantly lower in MC (12 %) patients compared to controls (30 %) (p < 0.05). When the L/L and L/S genotypes were combined into one group, the frequencies of the non-S genotype were significantly higher than those of S/S genotype between the MC patients and the controls (p < 0.05). 5-HT levels were significantly higher in UC and MC patients compared to healthy controls (p < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A significant association was observed between LL genotype of 5-HTTLPR polymorphism and microscopic colitis, suggesting that 5-HTTLPR is a potential candidate gene involved in the pathogenesis of microscopic colitis. Serotonin levels were significantly higher in microscopic colitis and ulcerative colitis patients compared to healthy controls.
authors.affiliation: College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Post Box No. 114, Jazan, 45142, K.S.A, arbab_bio1@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Arbab
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sikander
authors.forename: Saroj Kant
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Sinha
authors.forename: Kaushal Kishor
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Prasad
authors.forename: Satya Vati
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Rana
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D046728:Colitis, Microscopic / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012701:Serotonin / Q000097:blood; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C493230:SLC6A4 protein, human; D050486:Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins; D012701:Serotonin