Gut Hormone Discovery Offers Hope for 40% of IBS-D Cases

Quick Summary

• High levels of the gut hormone Insulin-Like Peptide 5 (INSL5) may explain up to 40% of cases of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with diarrhea, according to a study led by the University of Cambridge.
• Bile acid diarrhea, caused by improper bile acid re-absorption in the large intestine, affects about 1 in every 100 individuals and is often misdiagnosed as IBS due to lack of routine diagnostic tests.
• Researchers found that INSL5 is released when bile acid irritates gut cells and correlates with symptoms such as watery stools and urgency.
• Collaboration with Eli Lilly allowed measurement of INSL5 levels using a new antibody test. Higher INSL5 levels were found in patients compared to healthy controls.
• The anti-sickness drug ondansetron was observed to alleviate symptoms for some IBS patients by potentially blocking the action of INSL5.
• This discovery paves the way for advancement of diagnostic blood tests for bile acid diarrhea or repurposing treatments like ondansetron.

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Indian Opinion Analysis

The findings from this study represent a notable advancement in understanding gastrointestinal disorders such as chronic diarrhea and IBS. Misdiagnosis has been a persistent issue, leading many patients to endure long-term discomfort without appropriate intervention.A blood test identifying elevated INSL5 could dramatically improve diagnostic accuracy and streamline treatment protocols. Moreover, exploring existing medications like ondansetron offers an economically viable pathway for immediate relief before new treatments are fully developed.

For India-a country facing growing challenges around public health infrastructure-the possibility of simpler diagnostics could reduce dependency on invasive procedures while improving care access in rural areas where specialist consultation is limited. As prevalence rates grow due to dietary changes or other environmental factors affecting digestive health, advances like this could substantially impact patient outcomes at scale if adopted strategically into healthcare systems.