Abstract
BackgroundSleep quality and genetics may contribute to the etiology of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. Individuals with impaired sleep often have a number of associated symptoms including chronic abdominal pain (CAP). The current study examined the interactions of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) genotype with sleep quality in persons with CAP and healthy controls. In addition, associations among sleep quality, BDNF genotype, and gene expression were explored in the participants.MethodsData were collected on 59 participants (46% male, 61% White, 26.9 ± 6.6 years; CAP (n=19) and healthy controls (n=40)). Participants with CAP reported poorer sleep quality compared to healthy controls. BDNF genotype, categorized as Val/Val homozygotes versus the Met carriers.ResultsMicroarray analysis found twenty-four differentially expressed genes by a two-fold magnitude in participants with poor sleep quality compared to good sleep quality, and seven differentially expressed genes comparing CAP to healthy control. Three specific genes in the pain group overlap with sleep quality, including insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), spermatogenesis associated serine-rich 2-like (SPATS2L), and immunoglobulin heavy constant gamma 1 or mu (IGHG1/// IGHM). BDNF was shown to have an interaction effect with GI and sleep symptoms.ConclusionsParticipants with CAP reported poor sleep quality compared to healthy controls. The role of the BDNF Met allele on differential gene expression was not distinct as main factor, but impacted interactions with sleep quality and CAP. Down-regulation of IGF1, SPATS2L, and IGHG1 expression may be related to the etiology of poor sleep quality and CAP.Trial registrationClinicaltrial.gov # NCT00824941Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12920-014-0061-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
Sleep quality and genetics may contribute to the etiology of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms
A comparison of age and body mass index (BMI) showed no significant differences between chronic abdominal pain (CAP) and healthy controls
There was a trend toward higher scores for medications to sleep and overall sleep quality in participants with CAP compared to healthy controls (Table 2)
Summary
Sleep quality and genetics may contribute to the etiology of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. Individuals with impaired sleep often have a number of associated symptoms including chronic abdominal pain (CAP). The current study examined the interactions of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) genotype with sleep quality in persons with CAP and healthy controls. Associations among sleep quality, BDNF genotype, and gene expression were explored in the participants. Chronic abdominal pain (CAP) affects an estimated 15 − 20% of people worldwide [1,2], and is a symptom common to functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorders [3,4,5] such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In subjects with IBS, sleep scores are significantly correlated with pain [14]. Another study indicated that elevated BDNF expression in IBS patients compared to healthy controls is correlated with higher abdominal pain scores [17]. There are limited studies involving IBS and BDNF, a 10-biomarker index that included BDNF, was used to differentiate IBS from non-IBS subjects and found to be sensitive and specific [18]
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