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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 12/30/2008 2:10 AM (GMT 0)
Ok, so some of you know that I work hard on this UC thing like white on rice floating in milk on a paper plate and I like to share my thoughts.  I also like to hear the thoughts of  intellectuals here as feedback.  This site gives me more "real-world" experience with my fellow UC compatriots than any doc dialogue, med journal or textbook I can read. This is my own personal opinion based on what I've read, and would respect if it were taken as such.  I know some here care little about the cause.  If this is true, this post is not for you. 

I am not going to turn this into a biology lesson so I'm going to paraphrase a lengthy hypothesis. 

I'm starting to think that IBD appears to be a multiconditional affliction based on multiple gene expressions requiring precise steps for activation to occur above and beyond IBS. It all seems to come down to genetic expression and the absorbtion of particles coupled with immune responses that may not be found in those with no GI disturbances or mild IBS.   

One must first and foremost have the genetic potential to be at risk for IBD.  It is this genetic predisposition that causes a defect or weakness in a normal intestinal wall's defenses. A pathogen (bacterium or virus) piggybacks on a particle (dust, dirt, food additives or dyes, and anti-caking agents, pollen, spores, etc.) is ingested, and passes through a faulty gut lining that seems to be localized only in the colon.  This could perhaps explain why chronic seasonal IBD may have some merit as environmental contaminants are high at certain times.  An inflammatory response is triggered as the body mounts defenses against the foreign substance. 

For the IBS person a small bout of diarrhea, and/or mild allergy response may occur. Then, usually the bout is over and the body self-regulates.  However, this may be where IBS stops and IBD takes over as another expression of genetics fails to control or stop the immune response.  The unchecked immune response to whatever inflammed the gut wall causes ulceration rather than a small inconvinient bout of IBS symptoms.

So it is very possible that there may be multiple genes at work here and may also dictate the length and severity of flare, self-regulation, and may be difference between IBS and IBD.  Just a thought...            

 

Posted 12/30/2008 2:31 AM (GMT 0)
Hi UCW,

Ok, I'll buy the explanation, but how is it going to help us? After 6 years in remission I find myself in the worst flare ever. I'm familiar with the concept of this being a genetic problem, in fact scientists have recently done quite a lot of stuff in this area and I believe this is definitely true. The problem is that I'm still running to the bathroom a ton of times a day and this knowlege is not helping me! We need that information to be converted into a cure.

Eliza
Posted 12/30/2008 3:37 AM (GMT 0)
I was expressing that perhaps there may be a need to knock-out or limit the expression of multiple genes to create the same effect that some have thought was only one. A cure is still kinda cloudy and off in the distance but I know for a fact that there are great minds working on breakthrough science even as you read this.
Posted 12/30/2008 5:15 AM (GMT 0)
Ya, stem cell therapy...fix the immune system and you cure the disease.

:)
Posted 12/30/2008 6:09 AM (GMT 0)
warrior, I wonder if you are right, in that genetics plays a role, along with environmental and societal issues,(like working in a high stress environement).
I have always thought that pollution may play a role in my wacky immune system, especially the black diesel fumes from trucks and buses. (But I do not have any evidence that supports that )
I just try to help my immune system as much as possible, and fight inflammation.
--------------------------------------------------------------

yuckygut

diagnosed 1998

now off prednisone and colazal

drink 1 Haldi daily to remain in remission
Posted 12/30/2008 6:49 AM (GMT 0)
The exact cause of ulcerative colitis is not known. Bacteria that normally inhabit the intestinal tract may somehow stimulate an immune response that leads to damaging inflammation. Research has identified several possible genes that may make some people susceptible to inflammatory bowel disease.

Since there are several genes involved in ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, scientists are determining ways to follow patients who have the same disease, but different sets of gene mutations. Identification of a different combination of mutations for one patient may predict how that patient's case of ulcerative colitis will respond to treatment. Another combination of gene mutations may help determine if a patient will develop colon cancer.

Yucky gut, the environmental factors would be the "triggering" part of the disease, disease can only be triggered if you're genetically predisposed to getting an IBD in the first place. Researchers have discovered this long ago.

:)
Posted 12/30/2008 5:55 PM (GMT 0)
CD14, IL-22, NFKB1, NOD2 are just some of the genes being studied but its like pinning the tail on the proverbial donkey. What if the donkey has two tails? I get frustrated when I read that research has uncovered yet another gene linked to IBD. They say UC is a result of a combination but they often proceed to single out one gene. I seems to me right now that gene research is just one big rubiks cube being passed around the office.

I agree with pb4- stem cell therapy is the ticket here. Forget knockouts, expression modifiers, etc. REPAIR the gene REPAIR the disease. I just wish they had kept my umbilical cord... :)
Posted 12/30/2008 6:21 PM (GMT 0)
The stem cell therapy that they are doing on chronic illnesess are comming from the patients own bone marrow so no worries on not having your umbilica cord.

Not much you can do about the genes they find that are related specifically to UC, the ones they've found for crohn's disease differ from the ones they've found for UC...it is what it is, and if a combination of faulty genes and environmental triggers are involved with getting an IBD then there's nothing you can do about that unfortunately you just have to accept it...at least with more knowledge of stem cell therapy there is future hope for us. Always look at the bright side, at least there is a glimmer of hope now compared to even 20 yrs ago.

:)
Posted 12/31/2008 3:06 AM (GMT 0)
It's definitely plausible that IBD is caused my multiple gene defects. If it was just one, then the same treatments would work for everyone and there would probably already be a cure. I wish IBD researchers would focus more on stem cell therapy rather than biologics.
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