Singh, R KPandey, H PSingh, R H2003-05-042009-05-292003-05-042009-05-292003-05-04Singh RK, Pandey HP, Singh RH. Correlation of serotonin and monoamine oxidase levels with anxiety level in diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome. Indian Journal of Gastroenterology. 2003 May-Jun; 22(3): 88-90http://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/65285BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is generally considered to have a psychogenic component in its physiopathology. AIM: To study the role of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT), monoamine oxidase (MAO) and anxiety, and to elucidate the relationship between these in patients with diarrhea-predominant IBS. METHODS: 5-HT and MAO activity and anxiety levels were studied in 20 healthy volunteers (aged 18-25 years; all men) and 57 patients with diarrhea-predominant IBS (30-60 years; all men). RESULTS: The concentrations of 5-HT (0.3 [0.04] microg/ mL) and MAO (15.5 [3.2] U/mL), and the anxiety level score (14.4 [2.9]) were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in patients than in healthy volunteers (0.1 [0.02], 6.4 [1.4] and 3.4 [1.2], respectively). These parameters correlated with each other in both patients and volunteers. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated 5-HT and MAO activity and anxiety may play a role in patients with diarrhea-predominant IBS.engAdolescentAdultAnxiety --metabolismBiological Markers --bloodColonic Diseases, Functional --complicationsDiarrhea --complicationsHumansIndiaMaleMiddle AgedMonoamine Oxidase --metabolismSerotonin --metabolismStatistics as TopicComparative Study