Abstract
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain and altered bowel habits in the absence of organic disease. Its high prevalence, impact on quality of life, and healthcare costs make it a significant global health burden. Due to its multifactorial etiology, there is no single cure, and treatment relies on trial-and-error symptom management. To address this, we aim to implement a multifaceted approach, conducting an in-depth investigation of the human metabolome across multiple biological matrices in IBS patients, alongside analyses of gut microbiota in IBS. By establishing a metabolic IBS signature, we will develop a multicomponent biomarker set to enable personalized treatment. We have already shown that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can differentiate IBS patients from healthy controls with high accuracy, yet their identity and origin remain unclear. To this end, we will analyze VOCs in exhaled breath and in the headspace emission of feces and urine, using high-end GC-MS analysis, mechanistically linking them to biological pathways in IBS. We will first identify VOCs that best discriminate patients from healthy controls. Next, we will integrate metabolomics and the microbiota to generate a multilayered biomarker set and correlate this with clinical characteristics. Finally, we will conduct a pilot clinical trial assessing low-FODMAP diet effects on this biomarker dataset to predict dietary treatment response in IBS.
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