[Neural control disturbances of the gastrointestinal tract and visceral pain in inflammatory bowel diseases]

Postepy Hig Med Dosw (Online). 2013 Apr 15:67:304-14. doi: 10.5604/17322693.1044747.
[Article in Polish]

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic intestinal inflammatory condition, the etiology of which is composed of factors such as the environment, genetic predisposition, gut dysbiosis and inadequate immune response. The pathologic findings in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are related to dysfunction of gastrointestinal secretion and motility and also disturbed visceral sensory function, with accompanying intestinal and parenteral complications. The systemic inflammatory response affects neurological control via the gut-brain axis, which modulates the cooperation of the autonomic nervous system (ANS), enteric nervous system (ENS) and gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT). In chronic inflammation the intestinal neuropathy disrupts peristalsis and intestinal secretion as well as causing unpleasant symptoms of the patients. Pain receptors are stimulated by inflammatory mediators, and due to the intensified activation of the nociceptive system visceral hypersensitivity through central and peripheral sensitization is generated. Chronic visceral pain negatively influences the course of disease and the quality of the patient's life. The growing knowledge about the neurological control dysfunction of the intestine and immune system dysregulation could provide proper directives for treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Autonomic Nervous System / physiopathology
  • Chronic Disease
  • Colitis, Ulcerative / complications
  • Colitis, Ulcerative / physiopathology
  • Crohn Disease / complications
  • Crohn Disease / physiopathology
  • Enteric Nervous System / physiopathology*
  • Gastrointestinal Tract / physiopathology
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / complications
  • Inflammation / physiopathology
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / complications*
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Intestines / physiopathology
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / complications
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / physiopathology
  • Visceral Pain / etiology*
  • Visceral Pain / physiopathology*