The correlation between disease activity and TRP channel expression in individuals with inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome

Introduction and Objective: The biology of inflammatory bowel disorders and irritable bowel syndrome is intricate and not fully comprehended. The TRP channel family has been demonstrated to be involved in inflammation, pain, and thermal perceptions. Our study sought to examine the correlation between disease activity and the expression levels of the TRPM4, TRPM6, and TRPC3 genes in individuals diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn's Disease, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Materials and Methods: The study encompassed sequential patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), Crohn's disease (CD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and healthy individuals undergoing screening who attended the Gastroenterology Department of Hafsa Sultan Hospital, Celal Bayar University, from February 15, 2024, to February 15, 2025. Exclusion criteria were implemented, and the clinical and laboratory data of the patients were extracted from outpatient and hospital records. The TRP levels of the four patient groups were assessed using the rtPCR method, and statistical analyses were performed both among groups and with individual patient data. Results: TRPC3 levels were considerably reduced in patients with Ulcerative Colitis compared to the control group. TRPM4 and TRPM6 exhibited elevated levels across all patient cohorts; however, these findings lacked statistical significance. In the cohort of Crohn's disease patients, the TRPC3 channel exhibited a statistically significant negative connection with the SES-CD score. Conclusion: The examined TRP channels demonstrated alterations in illnesses consistent with existing research. Subsequent study ought to concentrate on clinical and translational investigations to elucidate the functions of TRP channel subtypes in particular disease phenotypes and stages. Future studies with bigger cohorts may confirm the viability of TRP channels as diagnostic and prognostic indicators. The progression of novel therapeutic compounds aimed at TRP channels, along with investigations into their specificity and adverse effects, may result in substantial progress in the treatment of chronic gastrointestinal disorders, including IBD and IBS. Particularly, tactics like customized drug delivery systems or low-dose methodologies can enhance the therapeutic application of TRP modulators by minimizing adverse effects. Keywords: Ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, Irritable bowel syndrome, TRP channels