Relationship between immune activation of TH17 cells and food allergen in diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome

Objective To investigate the serum interleukin-17(IL-17)and TH17 cells immune activation in colonic mucosa and the related influencing factors in diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome(IBS-D). Methods A total of 30 IBS-D patients were selected as case group according to the RomeⅢdiagnostic criteria, and 20 normal volunteers as a control group.The serum IL-17 and expression of TH17 cells in colonic mucosa were detected, and their relationships with food allergen were analyzed. Results The difference of serum IL-17 level between the IBS-D group and the normal control group was not significant.The TH17 cell count and proportion of ileocecus, transverse colon, sigmoid colon in IBS-D group were significantly higher than those in the normal control group.There was no significant difference of food allergen category between the IBS-D group and the normal control group(8.0±4.26 vs.4.9±3.77). There were significant differences in allergen scores(20.67±7.96 vs.3.65±3.65), especially in penicillin(25/30 vs.11/20), milk(26/30 vs.7/20)and mutton(23/30 vs.9/20). Conclusion The colonic mucosa of IBS-D patient exists TH17 cells immune activation, which was associated with allergies, and it can guide individualized treatment in clinic. Key words: Diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome; TH17 cells; Interleukin-17; Allergen