Related Experiment Videos
Putative inflammatory and immunological mechanisms in functional bowel disorders
S M Collins1, B Vallance, G Barbara
1Intestinal Diseases Research Unit, McMaster University Medical Center, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Bailliere'S Best Practice & Research. Clinical Gastroenterology
|December 2, 1999
Summary
Inflammation may underlie symptoms in some irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients, similar to asthma
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology and Immunology
Background:
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is increasingly linked to inflammation, challenging previous psychosomatic models.
- Observations include IBS onset after enteric infections and in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review scientific evidence for immune-gut interactions in IBS pathogenesis.
- To explore the relevance of these interactions for a subset of IBS patients.
- To discuss diagnostic and therapeutic implications.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of basic science research.
- Examination of the functional interface between gut immune and sensory-motor systems.
Main Results:
- Evidence suggests a functional link between the gut immune system and sensory-motor functions.
- This immune-gut axis may explain symptoms in a subgroup of IBS patients.
Conclusions:
- Inflammation is a potential driver of symptoms in some IBS cases.
- Understanding the immune-gut axis can inform new diagnostic and treatment strategies for IBS.