Lack of funding

Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are types of chronic intestinal disorder called inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) that can affect the small and large bowel causing symptoms of abdominal pain, diarrhea, blood in the stool, and weight loss. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a milder form of IBD, with symptoms of abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea or constipation, and blood in the stool. It is not known what causes diseases such as IBD and IBS. This study will look at the events in the gut that leads to leaky gut and inflammation in patients with IBD and IBS. The study will also see if medications such as rifaximin and mesalamine may reduce the amount of leaky gut.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Men and women, 18-years old and older
• Presenting at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Endoscopy center to undergo endoscopy with biopsy for surveillance, screening or diagnosis.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Subjects classified in an anesthesia risk group , American Society of Anesthesiologists Class (ASA) ≥ 4,
• history of bleeding diathesis or coagulopathy
• stroke or transient neurological attack within the last 6 months
• pregnancy
• currently on blood thinners (excepting aspirin)
• subject is unable to consent themselves

The subject population includes patients with known Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and indeterminant colitis. Patients will be recruited after they check in to the endoscopy unit, and before their endoscopic procedure, prior to any pre-procedure sedation medications having been given. All participants are undergoing endoscopy with biopsy for surveillance, screening, , diagnosis , or assessment of treatment. If no biopsy specimens are taken from subjects for diagnosis, no biopsy samples are taken for research purposes. The subject enrollment goal is 60 separate subjects with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis and indeterminant colitis or Irritable bowel syndrome. The subjects' participation will be limited to in the endoscopy suite.