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World J Gastroenterol. Jan 14, 2014; 20(2): 376-383
Published online Jan 14, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i2.376
Published online Jan 14, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i2.376
Molecular basis of the irritable bowel syndrome
Anna Vaiopoulou, Maria Gazouli, Department of Basic Medical Science, Laboratory of Biology, School of Medicine, University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
Georgios Karamanolis, George Karatzias, Gastroenterology Unit, 2nd Department of Surgery, “Aretaieio” University Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
Theodora Psaltopoulou, Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
Author contributions: Karamanolis G and Gazouli M designed the study; Vaiopoulou A, Psaltopoulou T and Karatzias G performed research at the literature; Vaiopoulou A and Gazouli M analyzed data; Vaiopoulou A, Karamanolis G and Gazouli M wrote the paper.
Correspondence to: Maria Gazouli, Assist Professor, Department of Basic Medical Science, Laboratory of Biology, School of Medicine, University of Athens, Michalakopoulou 176, 11527 Athens, Greece. mgazouli@med.uoa.gr
Telephone: +30-210-7462231 Fax: +30-210-7462231
Received: September 23, 2013
Revised: October 24, 2013
Accepted: November 12, 2013
Published online: January 14, 2014
Processing time: 117 Days and 18.9 Hours
Revised: October 24, 2013
Accepted: November 12, 2013
Published online: January 14, 2014
Processing time: 117 Days and 18.9 Hours
Core Tip
Core tip: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a multifactorial disease, whose development and phenotype are related to both genetic and epigenetic factors. Gene polymorphisms and epigenetic modifications affect the function of brain-gut axis and are responsible for many of the symptoms of the disease. The relationship between environmental factors and IBS shows the effect of environment on gene expression alteration by epigenetic modification.