Intestinal barrier in inflammatory bowel disease: A bibliometric and knowledge-map analysis

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology and Immunology
• Biomedical Research
• Scientific Literature Analysis

Background:

• Epithelial barrier surfaces are crucial for intestinal physiological and immune homeostasis.
• Disruptions in the intestinal barrier are implicated in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
• Understanding intestinal barrier function is key to managing IBD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the development trends and research hotspots in intestinal barrier research within the context of IBD.
• To identify key publications, institutions, authors, and journals contributing to this field.
• To map the evolution of research topics and emerging areas of interest.

Main Methods:

• Bibliometric analysis of 4482 articles published between 2002 and 2022 from the Web of Science Core Collection.
• Utilized VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and R software for data visualization and analysis.
• Identified high-frequency keywords and emerging research themes.

Main Results:

• The United States leads in research output, with the University of Chicago as a leading institution.
• High-frequency keywords include nuclear factor kappa B, tumor necrosis factor-α, apoptosis, oxidative stress, and probiotics.
• Emerging research focuses on antioxidants, Akkermansia muciniphila, nanoparticles, short-chain fatty acids, and extracellular vesicles.

Conclusions:

• The field of intestinal barrier research in IBD is rapidly advancing with significant international collaboration.
• Targeting the gut microbiota and dietary metabolism presents promising therapeutic avenues for IBD.
• Recognizing the intestinal barrier's role offers new perspectives for managing inflammation and improving patient prognosis in IBD.