LARGE SCALE GENETIC STUDY FINDS NEW LINK BETWEEN IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME & CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
With
Dr. Leticia Camargo Tavares,
Postdoctoral Scientific Researcher
Hypertension Laboratory,
School of Biological Sciences
Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
Professor Mauro D’Amato,
Professor of Medical Genetics,
Department of Medicine and Surgery,
LUM University in Casamassima, Italy &
Ikerbasque Research Professor and
Head of the Gastrointestinal Genetics Lab,
CIC bioGUNE, Derio, Spain
CASE STUDY
Filmed in Clayton, Victoria, Australia & Online | May 2025
Research published April 2024 in the journal Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology sheds light on disease mechanisms common to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD).
Led by Dr Leticia Camargo Tavares, a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Hypertension Research Laboratory within Monash University’s School of Biological Sciences, the study revealed novel insights into the genetic underpinnings of IBS, offering potential avenues for therapeutic intervention.
IBS is one of the most prevalent gastrointestinal disorders globally, affecting up to 10 per cent of the population, with a disproportionate impact on women.
It is characterised by a complex range of symptoms including abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea and constipation. IBS significantly compromises patients’ quality of life. Despite its widespread prevalence, the cause of IBS remains unclear, thus limiting treatment options.
An international consortium of researchers, drawing expertise from Monash University (Australia), CIC bioGUNE (Spain), LUM University, IRGB-CNR, CEINGE, and the University of Naples Federico II (Italy), as well as the University of Groningen (Netherlands), embarked on a comprehensive investigation.
Analysing data from two large European population cohorts — UK Biobank and Lifelines — the team scrutinised the genetic landscapes of 24,735 people with IBS and 77,149 symptom-free individuals.
Their analysis uncovered four genomic regions, including two previously unidentified loci, associated with increased susceptibility to IBS.
These genetic hotspots implicate pathways central to gastrointestinal motility, intestinal mucosal integrity, and circadian rhythm regulation.
“Although we’re yet to conclusively pinpoint specific genes and mechanisms, these findings provide novel insights into IBS pathophysiology, highlighting potential therapeutic targets. So, we expect follow-up research to build on these discoveries,” Dr Tavares said.
Moreover, the researchers found a link between IBS predisposition and various cardiovascular ailments, encompassing hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and angina pectoris.
Professor Mauro D’Amato, senior author and study supervisor from CIC bioGUNE and LUM University, described this new evidence as the most exciting outcome, underscoring the potential for shared therapeutic modalities.
In another important finding, the study revealed that IBS heritability (the weight of genes in determining one’s risk of disease), might be higher than previously thought. This, the authors say, may stem from their adherence to standardised classification criteria in delineating IBS phenotypes, notably the Rome Criteria from the Rome Foundation.
Source: Adapted from Monash University media release
-
World-first clinical trial improves patient outcomes for kidney transplants (2023)
A world-first clinical trial conducted at the Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH) and at hospitals across Australia and New Zealand has identified the best fluid treatment to reduce the risk of patients requiring dialysis after a kidney transplant.
Around one in three people who receive a kidney transplant suffer delayed graft function, which means the transplant doesn’t work immediately and they require dialysis.
The lead-author of the study, was Royal Adelaide Hospital Nephrologist and University of Adelaide researcher, Dr Michael Collins.
-
Dr Zarina Greenberg
RESEARCH IN SANFILIPPO
@ SAHMRI
ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIA -
Radiation therapy techniques and combination treatments for sarcoma
Professor Angela Hong MBBS, MMed, PhD, FRANZCR is a Professor at Sydney Medical School of the University of Sydney. She is a radiation oncologist and has been a member of the Multidisciplinary Bone and Soft Tissue Tumour Clinic at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital/Chris O’Brien Lifehouse for the past 15 years.
As a radiation oncologist located in Sydney, Australia, Professor Hong is focused on treating patients with bone and soft tissue sarcoma. And as a clinician scientist, her research focuses on developing innovative radiation therapy technique and combination treatments to improve the outcome for patients with sarcoma.
