Swedish researchers have found genetic links between carbohydrate intake and irritable bowel syndrome.
Dr Mauro D’Amato from the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden investigated gene variants that increase the risk of irritable bowel syndrome. They identified certain defective sucrase-isomaltase gene variants that are inked to the condition.
The team took a close look at DNA variants in the gene that codes for the enzyme sucrase-isomaltase because earlier findings suggested that sucrose-isomaltase mutations are often found in hereditary forms of sucrose intolerance – a condition with similar symptoms to irritable bowel syndrome, such as diarrhoea, abdominal pain and bloating.
They used genetic samples from 1,887 participants in ongoing studies based in Sweden, Italy and US. This highlighted rare defective sucrase-isomaltase mutations occurred at twice the rate in people with irritable bowel syndrome than people without.
Dr D’Amato said: "A significant decrease in the enzymatic activity of sucrase-isomaltase would be compatible with poor carbohydrate digestion in the intestine, possibly leading to malabsorption and bowel symptoms.
"People with irritable bowel syndrome often connect their symptoms to certain foods, particularly fermentable carbohydrates. We tested the hypothesis that genetic changes in the breakdown of disaccharides – small carbohydrates from sugars and starches -may be associated with increased risk of irritable bowel syndrome."
He concluded: "Our results provide rationale for novel nutrigenetic studies in irritable bowel syndrome, with potential for personalising treatment options based on sucrase-isomaltase genotype."
Findings appeared in the journal Gut on Monday (21 November). The authors write: "Dietary carbohydrates are recognised triggers in many irritable bowel syndrome sufferers, who often implement food avoidance regimes in the attempt to control or reduce their symptoms. The results from our study provide a biological basis for these beliefs."
Henstrom, M. et al. Functional variants in the sucrose-isomaltase gene associate with increased risk of irritable bowel syndrome. Gut 21 November 2016; doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2016-312456
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