Visceral pain and gastrointestinal microbiome

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Gastroenterology
• Microbiology

Background:

• The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in modulating visceral pain perception.
• Bidirectional communication between the gut microbiome, gut, and brain influences physiological responses.
• Stressors can disrupt the gut microbiome and alter visceral pain sensitivity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the complex interactions between the microbiome, gut, and brain in visceral pain modulation.
• To discuss emerging concepts and recent research on microbiome-gut-brain axis in visceral pain.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of animal models and human clinical trials.
• Analysis of studies using prebiotics and probiotics to alter the microbiome.
• Examination of the impact of microbiome modulation on visceral pain responses.

Main Results:

• The microbiome significantly impacts visceral pain signaling through neural, endocrine, and immune pathways.
• Alterations in the microbiome composition affect pain perception and gut function.
• Prebiotics and probiotics demonstrate potential in modifying visceral pain responses.

Conclusions:

• The microbiome-gut-brain axis is a critical regulator of visceral pain.
• Targeting the microbiome offers a potential therapeutic strategy for managing visceral pain conditions.