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Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease01:30

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Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
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The neuronal supply to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is essential for regulating various functions, including digestion, absorption, and movement of food. This intricate network of nerves is known as the enteric nervous system (ENS), often referred to as the "second brain" of the body.
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The Enteric Nervous System (ENS) plays a pivotal role in regulating gastrointestinal or GI motor activity. This complex network of nerves, deeply embedded within the gut wall, responds to changes in the gut environment and receives input from both the autonomic nervous system and the central nervous system. By doing so, the ENS operates various programs tailored to the body's nutritional status and needs.
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Chronic bowel diseases are a group of long-term conditions affecting the digestive tract, characterized by inflammation and damage to the gut lining. These conditions primarily include irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 17, 2026

Author Spotlight: Isolation and Characterization of Equine Submucosal Enteric Glia — Implications for Preventing Postoperative Complications in Colic Surgery
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Enteric nervous system and inflammatory bowel disease.

Shixian Wang1, Yufeng Wang2, Ji Miao1

  • 1Division of Colorectal Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu, P. R. China.

Gastroenterology Report
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PubMed
Summary

The enteric nervous system (ENS), or "second brain," is crucial for gut health. Its dysfunction drives inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colorectal cancer, but targeting the ENS offers new therapeutic potential.

Keywords:
colorectal cancerenteric glial cellsenteric nervous systementeric neuronsinflammatory bowel diseaseneuro-immune cross talk

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Area of Science:

  • Neurogastroenterology
  • Immunology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • The enteric nervous system (ENS), the gut's "second brain," regulates gastrointestinal functions and homeostasis.
  • ENS dysfunction is implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the complex interplay between the ENS and IBD.
  • To highlight the ENS's role in gut homeostasis, inflammation, and colorectal cancer.
  • To discuss emerging therapeutic strategies targeting the ENS for IBD and colorectal cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on ENS function in gastrointestinal health and disease.
  • Analysis of neuro-immune crosstalk mechanisms in experimental colitis models.
  • Examination of the ENS's contribution to colorectal cancer development and progression.

Main Results:

  • IBD patients exhibit enteric neuropathies exacerbating inflammation and barrier dysfunction.
  • Enteric glial cells (EGCs) are key regulators of gut homeostasis, with dysfunction linked to chronic inflammation and cancer.
  • Neuro-immune crosstalk significantly impacts colitis, and the ENS influences colorectal cancer via neurogenesis and invasion.
  • Emerging therapies targeting ENS activity show promise for IBD symptom relief.

Conclusions:

  • The ENS is a critical factor in IBD pathogenesis and colorectal cancer progression.
  • Targeting neuro-immune interactions within the ENS presents a promising therapeutic avenue for gastrointestinal diseases.
  • Further research and interdisciplinary approaches are needed to fully understand and leverage the ENS for therapeutic benefit.