The identification and spatial distribution of different nutrient receptors along the gastrointestinal tract

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status: Pending

Sex: Not specified

Target Recruitment: 50

Inclusion Criteria

Inclusion criteria for duodenal biopsies:
- Step 1 (patients asked for participation):
1) Patients (male and female between 18 and 65 years) referred for upper GI endoscopy (because of functional complaints)
2) Based on medical history and previous examination, no objection arises for taking extra biopsies during the gastroduodenoscopy.;- Step 2 (patients agreed to participate and in who biopsies will be taken)
1) Patients with no relevant endoscopic abnormalities (gastroduodenoscopy): patients without gastric or duodenal ulcers/polyps/lesions suspect for malignancy and esophageal lesions or varices.;Inclusion criteria for ileal and colon biopsies:
- Step 1 (patients asked for participation):
1) Patients (male and female between 18 and 65 years) referred for colonoscopy (because of screening for colorectal cancer or follow up of colonic polyps)
2) Based on medical history and previous examination, no objection arises for taking extra biopsies during the colonoscopy;- Step 2 (patients agreed to participate and in who biopsies will be taken)
1) Patients with no relevant endoscopic abnormalities (colonoscopy): patients without ileal and/or colonic ulcers/polyps/diverticula and lesions suspect for malignancy

Exclusion Criteria

Exclusion criteria for duodenal, ileal and colon biopsies:
1) History of severe cardiovascular, gastrointestinal/ hepatic, hematological/immunologic, metabolic/nutritional disease and/or laboratory assessments which might limit participation in the study. The severity of the disease (major interference with the execution of the experiment or potential influence on the study outcomes) will be decided by the principal investigator.
2) Use of medication, which could interfere with normal coagulation (anticoagulants, antiplatelet drugs).
3) Major abdominal surgery interfering with gastrointestinal function (uncomplicated appendectomy, cholecystectomy and hysterectomy allowed, and other surgery upon judgement of the principle investigator)
4) Excessive alcohol consumption (>20 alcoholic consumptions per week)

Study & Design

Study Type: Observational invasive

Study Design: Not specified

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
<p>Primary objective:<br /><br>To assess the expression of nutrient sensing receptors at various specific<br /><br>sites along the intestinal tract. </p><br>

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
<p>Secondary objective:<br /><br>To investigate the cellular localization, namely on endocrine cells or vagal<br /><br>nerve endings of the nutrient sensing receptors at various specific sites along<br /><br>the intestinal tract. </p><br>