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World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. Aug 15, 2010; 1(3): 97-105
Published online Aug 15, 2010. doi: 10.4291/wjgp.v1.i3.97
Published online Aug 15, 2010. doi: 10.4291/wjgp.v1.i3.97
Low-grade inflammation plays a pivotal role in gastrointestinal dysfunction in irritable bowel syndrome
Hirotada Akiho, Eikichi Ihara, Kazuhiko Nakamura, Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
Author contributions: All authors contributed extensively in preparing this manuscript; Akiho H provided a significant editorial and literature contribution; Nakamura K performed the literature review; and Ihara E provided literature related comments and review.
Correspondence to: Hirotada Akiho, MD, PhD, Department of Medicine and Bioregulatory Science, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan. akiho@intmed3.med.kyushu-u.ac.jp
Telephone: +81-92-6425286 Fax: +81-92-6425287
Received: June 12, 2010
Revised: July 26, 2010
Accepted: August 2, 2010
Published online: August 15, 2010
Revised: July 26, 2010
Accepted: August 2, 2010
Published online: August 15, 2010
Abstract
The pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is considered to be multifactorial and includes psychosocial factors, visceral hypersensitivity, infection, microbiota and immune activation. It is becoming increasingly clear that low-grade inflammation is present in IBS patients and a number of biomarkers have emerged. This review describes the evidence for low-grade inflammation in IBS and explores its mechanism with particular focus on gastrointestinal motor dysfunction. Understanding of the immunological basis of the altered gastrointestinal motor function in IBS may lead to new therapeutic strategies for IBS.