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Psychological Stresses in Children Trigger Cytokine- and Kynurenine Metabolite-Mediated Abdominal Pain and

Kyaimon Myint1, Kelly Jacobs2, Aye-Mu Myint3

  • 1Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Frontiers in Immunology
|September 20, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Children with recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) show immune system activation and inflammation, indicated by altered cytokine and tryptophan metabolite levels. These changes may contribute to psychological stress and medically unexplained symptoms in pediatric patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Immunology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) is a common, medically unexplained symptom in children.
  • The biological mechanisms underlying RAP, including immune and behavioral changes, are not fully understood.
  • Investigating inflammatory markers and their link to psychological symptoms in RAP is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare serum inflammatory marker concentrations in children with RAP versus those with subclinical infections.
  • To assess changes in cytokines and tryptophan catabolites in children with RAP.
  • To explore potential links between biological markers and psychological issues in pediatric RAP.

Main Methods:

  • Blood samples were collected from children with RAP and a control group with asymptomatic intestinal parasitic infections.
  • Cytokine profiles were measured using Multiplex Immunoassay.
  • Tryptophan catabolites were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography.

Main Results:

  • Children with RAP exhibited significantly higher tumor necrosis factor-α and lower IL-10, IL-6, and brain-derived neurotrophic factors (BDNF).
  • Elevated levels of 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (3-HAA) and an increased 3-HAA/AA ratio were observed in RAP patients.
  • While children with RAP showed psychological difficulties, these were not statistically linked to measured biological markers.

Conclusions:

  • Children with RAP demonstrate significant immune system activation and inflammation compared to controls.
  • The pro-inflammatory state and reduced BDNF levels in RAP may contribute to psychological stress.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the complex interplay between biological and psychological factors in pediatric RAP.

Keywords:
immune mediatorskynurenine pathwayneurotrophinrecurrent abdominal painstress

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