[A pilot study of protein fingerprinting in brain-gut interaction model of irritable bowel syndrome.].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of might-mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) was utilized to analyze the protein fingerprint in brain-gut interaction of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) model rats' colon, so as to find the clues for IBS. METHODS: Fourteen healthy male adult Wistar rats were selected and divided into a control and a chronic and acute stress (CAS) group. Colon motility, visceral sensation and behavior changes of rats were detected to evaluate the model. MALDI-TOF-MS was used to observe the overall view of protein in colon so as to study whether there are abnormalities of protein levels in IBS. RESULTS: As compared with those in the control group, the number of fecal pellets [(6.00 +/- 1.69) pellets/1 h vs (1.14 +/- 0.69) pellets/1 h, P < 0.01] and frequency of abdominal contraction induced by colorectal distention (CRD) increased, while the amount of weight gain [(298.88 +/- 18.61) g vs (348.00 +/- 12.44) g, P < 0.01] and consumption of sucrose solutions [(13.63 +/- 1.69) ml/1 h vs (19.00 +/- 3.06) ml/1 h, P < 0.05] decreased in the CAS group (P < 0.05). As far as protein/peptide quality different peak was concerned, CAS rats had 12 different peaks compared with the control rats. The different proteins could be divided into 4 types, which were related to iron secretion, protein synthesis, G protein system and immunity. The protein levels of the model group were higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The CAS rats integrate the major characteristics of IBS such as altered colon motility, higher visceral hypersensitivity and psychiatric disorder and can mimic the brain-gut interaction of IBS partly. The detection of differential proteins provides reference for the pathogenesis and treatment of IBS.