Influence of Bile Acids on Bacterial Uptake in Functional Dyspepsia
Influence of Bile Acids on Bacterial Uptake in Functional Dyspepsia
In up to half of patients seen by gastroenterologists, routine examinations fail to find an
 underlying organic, systemic, or metabolic disease that readily explains the symptoms. These
 patients are referred to as patients with disorders of gastrointestinal function, of which
 functional dyspepsia (FD) is one of the most common. Despite intensive research to
 investigate various pathophysiological mechanisms of this disease, the pathogenesis remains
 obscure. The investigators recently demonstrated increased duodenal permeability in FD
 patients, as assessed by mounting routine endoscopic duodenal biopsy specimens into Ussing
 chambers to measure transepithelial electrical resistance and passage of a paracellular
 fluorescent probe. Impaired intestinal barrier function can lead to increased uptake of
 luminal substances which can induce an immunological response in the mucosa. Interestingly,
 using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in duodenal biopsies, the investigators recently
 observed the presence of a yet to be identified microorganism inside the epithelium and the
 lamina propria of a subset of FD patients (unpublished observations), suggesting increased
 translocation of microorganisms.

 The aim of the project is to investigate whether FD patients display increased translocation
 of microorganisms in duodenal biopsies. The investigators will also test the effect of bile
 acid on translocation of microorganisms and therefore include 20 FD patients and 20 age- and
 gender-matched healthy volunteers in this study.
The participants will be expected on the department endoscopy of the University Hospital
 Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium. They are asked to fill in a bundle of questionnaires
 concerning physical complaints, depression, anxiety (disturbances), pain/disease,
 body/interoceptive awareness, trauma/abuse and personality. Endoscopy will be performed and
 up to 8 biopsies will be obtained from the duodenum. All endoscopies will be performed by an
 experienced endoscopist. Biopsies will be mounted in Ussing chambers and the mucosal
 compartment will be exposed to commercially available fluorescein-conjugated microorganisms.
 Uptake of microorganisms will be evaluated by analyzing the serosal compartment and by
 confocal microscopy of the biopsies. These experiments will also be performed in combination
 with exposure to bile acids separately and jointly, to assess if bacterial translocation can
 be exacerbated by these endogenous luminal factors individually and synergistically.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Three days before the measurement: no smoking and drinking alcohol

 -  12 hours before the measurement: no drinking and eating

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  symptoms or history of gastrointestinal disease

 -  first degree relatives with celiac disease

 -  diabetes mellitus

 -  allergy/atopy (eczema, asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis)

 -  coagulation disorders/anticoagulant therapy

 -  first degree relatives with Crohn's disease or type I diabetes mellitus.

 -  intake of antihistamines, ketotifen, cromoglycate, acetylsalicylates, NSAIDs,
 anticholinergics, theophylline, β2-agonists, codeine or opioid derivatives for at
 least 2 weeks prior to the gastroscopy

 -  Intake of steroid or immunosuppressive drugs in the last 6 months