Visceral Pain and Gastrointestinal Microbiome.
- Author:
Maciej CHICHLOWSKI
1
;
Colin RUDOLPH
Author Information
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords: Microbiome; Prebiotics; Probiotics; Visceral pain
- MeSH: Brain; Humans; Microbiota*; Models, Animal; Mucous Membrane; Prebiotics; Probiotics; Visceral Pain*
- From:Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility 2015;21(2):172-181
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: A complex set of interactions between the microbiome, gut and brain modulate responses to visceral pain. These interactions occur at the level of the gastrointestinal mucosa, and via local neural, endocrine or immune activity; as well as by the production of factors transported through the circulatory system, like bacterial metabolites or hormones. Various psychological, infectious and other stressors can disrupt this harmonious relationship and alter both the microbiome and visceral pain responses. There are critical sensitive periods that can impact visceral pain responses in adulthood. In this review we provide a brief background of the intestinal microbiome and emerging concepts of the bidirectional interactions between the microbiome, gut and brain. We also discuss recent work in animal models, and human clinical trials using prebiotics and probiotics that alter the microbiome with resultant alterations in visceral pain responses.
