| Summary: | Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is characterized by gastrointestinal symptoms. Overweight and increased risk of metabolic syndromes/diabetes are observed in IBS, conditions associated with plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and visfatin. The aim of this study was to measure blood levels of AXIN1, cholecystokinin (CCK), enkephalin, ghrelin, neuropeptide Y (NPY), PAI-1, and visfatin before and after a 4-week intervention with a starch- and sucrose-reduced diet (SSRD). A total of 105 IBS patients were randomized to either SSRD (<i>n</i> = 80) or ordinary diet (<i>n</i> = 25). Questionnaires were completed, and blood was analyzed for AXIN1 and hormones. AXIN1 (<i>p</i> = 0.001) and active ghrelin levels (<i>p</i> = 0.025) were lower in IBS than in healthy volunteers at baseline, whereas CCK and enkephalin levels were higher (<i>p</i> < 0.001). In the intervention group, total IBS-symptom severity score (IBS-SSS), specific gastrointestinal symptoms, psychological well-being, and the influence of intestinal symptoms on daily life were improved during the study, and weight decreased (<i>p</i> < 0.001 for all), whereas only constipation (<i>p</i> = 0.045) and bloating (<i>p</i> = 0.001) were improved in the control group. PAI-1 levels tended to be decreased in the intervention group (<i>p</i> = 0.066), with a difference in the decrease between groups (<i>p</i> = 0.022). Visfatin levels were decreased in the intervention group (<i>p</i> = 0.007). There were few correlations between hormonal levels and symptoms. Thus, this diet not only improves IBS symptoms but also seems to have a general health-promoting effect.
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