Inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic inflammatory disorder that affects all or part of the digestive tract. There are two main kinds of IBD, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Crohn’s disease can cause inflammation throughout any part of the gut, while ulcerative colitis mainly affects the colon.
Symptoms of IBD can be very uncomfortable, painful, and cause distress. These symptoms include diarrhea, constipation, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, and cramping. Researchers have recently discovered a mechanism that controls gut inflammation in Crohns and ulcerative colitis. They have found that the cells that line the gut called RNF5, control the activity of a protein that is known to be a promoter of inflammation.
After studying these proteins, researchers suggest that RNF5 may have a key role in stopping inflammation. Treatments today for IBD don’t always work and can also become less effective overtime. This recent finding is important because it gives researchers a better understanding on what causes IBD, which can ultimately lead to finding better treatments.
Read more about what drives inflammation in IBD
