Inflammatory bowel disease is a disorder of ganglioside metabolism (959.4)

Abstract

AIM To demonstrate that the metabolism of ganglioside is altered in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). METHODS Sections of intestinal mucosa from terminal ileum and/or colon were obtained from subjects with ulcerative colitis or inflammatory Crohn’s disease undergoing surgical resection for complications related to IBD. Control groups consisted of tissue samples of apparently normal intestinal mucosa from subjects with colorectal cancer and apparently normal intestinal mucosa from subjects with benign adenoma polyposis. Gangliosides of the intestinal mucosa were characterized using LC‐QQQ‐MS and compared among subject groups. Ganglioside catabolism enzymes HEXA and NEU3 were measured in the intestinal mucosa by western blot. RESULTS GM3 was significantly higher (P<0.01) by 2.1 fold in IBD intestine compared to apparently normal intestinal mucosa. IBD intestine exhibited 2.7 fold lower (P<0.001) GD1a content than control intestine. The mean relative expression of HEXA in IBD intestine was increased 1.7‐fold (P<0.08) and the mean relative expression of NEU3 in IBD intestine was increased 8.3‐fold (P< 0.001) compared to normal intestine. CONCLUSION Metabolism of gangliosides is altered in the intestinal mucosa of subjects with IBD. Investigation into utility of dietary ganglioside as a potential treatment of IBD is warranted.Grant Funding Source: Supported by Broad Foundation and CIHR