Systematic review of modulators of benzodiazepine receptors in irritable bowel syndrome: Is there hope?

Table 1 A summary of the pathophysiological mechanisms of irritable bowel syndrome

Mechanism	Description
Visceral hypersensitivity	↓ Threshold of visceral perception, hyperalgesia; ↑ Viscerosomatic referral areas
Modulation of CNS	Altered activation in reaction to rectosigmoid stimuli; fail to inhibit pain perception; activation of pain facilitatory pathways
Stress	Changes in visceral perception and neuro-endocrine responses to stressor
Infection	↑ Incidence after bacterial, viral, parasitic infections
Inflammation	Increased inflammatory cytokines; decreased anti-inflammatory cytokines
Serotonin	Influencing gut motility, sensation and secretion; altered serotonin signaling in IBS
Genetic factors	Familial clustering

CNS: Central nervous system; IBS: Irritable bowel syndrome.