The Association between Modulating Inflammatory Cytokines and Constipation of Geriatrics in Iran

Abstract

BACKGROUND The effect of changes in intestinal microbiota on constipation is contraversial. Constipation is more prevalent in elderly. Therefore, the current study was designed to assess the role of modulating inflammatory cytokines in old age patients with constipation by evaluating the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1 (IL-l), and interleukin 6 (IL-6). METHODS This case-control study was done on 100 participants, aged 65 years or higher, with and without functional constipation according to ROME III criteria (50 participants in each group). Baseline demographic, clinical characteristics, and serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1, and IL-6 were compared between the case and control groups. Independent t test and Chi-square test were used for analysis of data. RESULTS Mean levels of TNF-α, IL-1, and IL-6 were (666.80 ± 101.40 pg/mL vs. 489.20 ± 53.68 pg/mL, p < 0.001), (435.96 ± 52.31 pg/mL vs. 296.44 ± 45.50 pg/mL, p < 0.001) and (438.18 ± 59.57 pg/mL vs. 290.14 ± 36.39 pg/mL, p < 0.001) in the case and control groups, respectively. A reverse correlation was found between the aging process and TNF-α (r = -0.26; p = 0.04), as well as IL-1 level (r = -0.41; p = 0.003) in the control group. A direct correlation was observed between the aging process and TNF-α (r = 0.40; p = 0.004) and IL-6 (r = 0.44; p = 0.002) levels in the case group. CONCLUSION This study showed a significant association between the serum level of modulating inflammatory cytokines and age-related constipation in Iranian subjects. It seems that the serum level of modulating inflammatory cytokines can be affected by diversity and abundance in the gut microbiota. The role of diversity in microbial population and their abundance in gut must be evaluated in further studies.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus Strains Relieve Loperamide-Induced Constipation via Different Pathways Independent of Short-Chain Fatty Acids

“…In this study, the association between constipation and Oscillospira was also observed. Considering the low levels of inflammation exists both in constipated mice and human (Mokhtare et al, 2017 ; Ren et al, 2017 ), and the reduced abundance of Oscillospira in human gut with inflammation (Walters et al, 2014 ), it is speculated that the change of Oscillospira may be closely related to the development of constipation.…”

Constipation might be associated with risk of allergic rhinitis: A nationwide population-based cohort study

“…Khalif et al observed that constipation was correlated with significant alterations in the fecal flora, gut permeability (leaky gut), and immune response, and that alleviation of constipation tended to reverse these changes [ 17 ]. Intestinal conditions such as constipation could affect immunity by altering gut microflora and permeability, leading to hyper-secretion of proinflammatory or inflammatory biomarkers, such as chemokines and cytokines [ 39 , 42 ]. Cirali et al found that neopterin, IL-6, and IL-12 and levels of constipated children were higher than in the non-constipation group [ 43 ], indicating that subclinical inflammation existed in patients with constipation.…”

“…Cirali et al found that neopterin, IL-6, and IL-12 and levels of constipated children were higher than in the non-constipation group [43], indicating that subclinical inflammation existed in patients with constipation. Mokhtare et al also showed higher levels of TNF-α, IL-1, and IL-6in geriatric patients with chronic constipation, compared with healthy controls [42]. In experiments, TNF-α was required to produce antigen-specific IgE and to induce T-helper 2 cytokines and chemokines in allergic rhinitis [44,45].…”

“…inflammatory biomarkers, such as chemokines and cytokines [39,42]. Cirali et al found that neopterin, IL-6, and IL-12 and levels of constipated children were higher than in the non-constipation group [43], indicating that subclinical inflammation existed in patients with constipation.…”

Increased NOX1 and DOUX2 Expression in the Colonic Mucosa of Patients with Chronic Functional Constipation

“…IL-8,also known as CXCL8, is a chemokine with multiple functions in a variety of physiological and pathological processes [27,28]. Recently it was found that the serum levels of cytokine TNF-α, IL-1 IL-6, and IL-12 were reportedly increased in geriatric and paediatric patients with chronic constipation [9,29]. It was speculated that the intestinal dysbiosis in patients with chronic constipation may lead to the elevation of serum pro-in ammatory cytokines [29].…”