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Mechanisms Underlying Visceral Hypersensitivity in Irritable Bowel Syndrome

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Abstract

Visceral hypersensitivity is currently considered a key pathophysiological mechanism involved in pain perception in large subgroups of patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In IBS, visceral hypersensitivity has been described in 20%–90% of patients. The contribution of the central nervous system and psychological factors to visceral hypersensitivity in patients with IBS may be significant, although still debated. Peripheral factors have gained increasing attention following the recognition that infectious enteritis may trigger the development of persistent IBS symptoms, and the identification of mucosal immune, neural, endocrine, microbiological, and intestinal permeability abnormalities. Growing evidence suggests that these factors play an important role in pain transmission from the periphery to the brain via sensory nerve pathways in large subsets of patients with IBS. In this review, we will report on recent data on mechanisms involved in visceral hypersensitivity in IBS, with particular attention paid to peripheral mechanisms.

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Acknowledgments

Grant support provided by the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research [No. 2002052573 (GB, VS, RDe G and RC) and No. 2007Z292XF (RC and GB)], from the University of Bologna (GB, RDe G). GB and RDeG are recipients of grants from “Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Bologna,” Bologna, Italy. GB is supported by a grant from IMA, Italy.

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Barbara, G., Cremon, C., De Giorgio, R. et al. Mechanisms Underlying Visceral Hypersensitivity in Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Curr Gastroenterol Rep 13, 308–315 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11894-011-0195-7

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