Micro Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) as Cholinergic Tone and Inflammatory Regulator in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center

Status: Completed

Conditions: Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT00734331

TASMC-08-NM-300-CTIL

Details and patient eligibility

About

There is a reciprocal relationship between the central nervous system and the immune system. Stimulation of the vagus nerve results in secretion of acetylcholine (Ach) which decreases secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Acetylcholine esterase is an enzyme that neutralizes Ach and thus, involves in regulation of Ach levels, and in the cholinergic tone and inflammatory state.

MicroRNAs (miRs) are evolutionarily conserved, RNAs that regulate gene expression. The investigators hypothesized that miRs controlling systemic communication processes function in one tissue in response to signals (i.e. neuronal, hormonal or others) from another.

Specifically, the investigators hypothesized that miRs control the inflammatory response in inflammatory bowel diseases through regulation of expression of messenger RNA of AchE.

Enrollment: 40 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 75 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Inflammatory bowel disease patients under going colonoscopy

Exclusion criteria

• Debilitated patients who need an apotropsy
• Age < 18 or age > 75
• Pregnant women
• Evidence of previous or current cancer
• Inflammatory disease other than IBD

Trial design

40 participants in 2 patient groups

IBD

Description:

Inflammatory bowel disease patients

Control

Description:

Average risk patients undergoing screening colonoscopy