Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Immune Activation.
- Author:
Chang Hwan CHOI
1
;
Hye Ryoung SUL
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea. gicch@cau.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
Irritable Bowel Syndrome;
Immune Activation
- MeSH:
Abdominal Pain;
Anti-Bacterial Agents;
Axis, Cervical Vertebra;
Diarrhea;
Gastrointestinal Diseases;
Humans;
Hypersensitivity;
Inflammation;
Irritable Bowel Syndrome;
Pain Threshold;
Probiotics;
Sensation
- From:Intestinal Research
2008;6(2):95-102
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a highly prevalent functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by chronic abdominal pain and bowel habit change. Its specific pathophysiologic mechanism underlying IBS is not known; however, it is generally accepted that IBS symptoms represent dysregulation at multiple levels of the brain-gut axis. IBS symptoms are manifested by abnormal motor reactivity to various stimuli, and low sensation and pain thresholds. Recently, a variety of new findings have been reported which suggests low-grade inflammation or immune activation is present in IBS patients, including post-infectious IBS. The immune activation can generate various symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea that may result from motor dysfunction and visceral hypersensitivity. Anti-inflammatory therapy with either antibiotics or probiotics seems to be effective in reducing the symptoms of IBS. While this pathophysiologic approach to the management of IBS is in its infancy, it is evident that the immune activation deserves further attention in IBS.
