Kirkik D, Kalkanli Tas S. Unveiling the intricacies of irritable bowel syndrome. World J Gastroenterol 2024; 30(44): 4763-4767 [PMID: 39610774 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v30.i44.4763]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Duygu Kirkik, BSc, MSc, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Immunology, University of Health Sciences, Hamidiye Medicine Faculty, Mekteb-i Tıbbiyye-i Şâhane (Haydarpaşa) Külliyesi Selimiye Mah. Tıbbiye Cad. No:38 34668 Üsküdar, Istanbul 34668, Türkiye. dygkirkik@gmail.com
Research Domain of This Article
Immunology
Article-Type of This Article
Letter to the Editor
Open-Access Policy of This Article
This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
World J Gastroenterol. Nov 28, 2024; 30(44): 4763-4767 Published online Nov 28, 2024. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v30.i44.4763
Unveiling the intricacies of irritable bowel syndrome
Duygu Kirkik, Sevgi Kalkanli Tas
Duygu Kirkik, Sevgi Kalkanli Tas, Department of Immunology, University of Health Sciences, Hamidiye Medicine Faculty, Istanbul 34668, Türkiye
Duygu Kirkik, Department of Medical Biology, University of Health Sciences, Hamidiye Medicine Faculty, Istanbul 34668, Türkiye
Co-first authors: Duygu Kirkik and Sevgi Kalkanli Tas.
Author contributions: Kirkik D and Kalkanli Tas S wrote the original draft, prepared the figure, and revised the manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Duygu Kirkik, BSc, MSc, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Immunology, University of Health Sciences, Hamidiye Medicine Faculty, Mekteb-i Tıbbiyye-i Şâhane (Haydarpaşa) Külliyesi Selimiye Mah. Tıbbiye Cad. No:38 34668 Üsküdar, Istanbul 34668, Türkiye. dygkirkik@gmail.com
Received: September 12, 2024 Revised: September 26, 2024 Accepted: October 18, 2024 Published online: November 28, 2024 Processing time: 60 Days and 11.6 Hours
Abstract
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) remains a challenging condition both for patients and clinicians, characterized by its chronic nature and the elusive complexity of its underlying mechanisms. The multifaceted relationship between the neuroendocrine axis, gut microbiota, and inflammatory response has emerged as a focal point in recent research, offering new insights into the pathophysiology of IBS. The neuroendocrine axis plays a crucial role in maintaining the delicate balance between the brain and the gut, often referred to as the “gut-brain axis”. This bidirectional communication is essential for regulating gastrointestinal function, stress responses, and overall homeostasis. Dysregulation of this axis, as highlighted by elevated cortisol and serotonin levels in IBS patients, suggests that neuroendocrine imbalances may significantly contribute to the severity of gastrointestinal symptoms. These findings underscore the need for a broader understanding of how stress and emotional factors influence IBS, potentially guiding more effective, personalized treatment approaches. Equally important is the role of the gut microbiota, a diverse and dynamic ecosystem that directly impacts gut health. This dysbiosis disrupts gut function and appears to exacerbate the neuroendocrine and inflammatory responses. These findings align with the growing recognition that gut microbiota is a critical player in IBS, influencing both the disease's onset and progression.
Core Tip: This letter provides a comprehensive review of the interaction between the neuroendocrine axis, gut microbiota, and inflammation plays a pivotal role in the development of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This study reveals that imbalances in these systems, such as elevated stress hormones and altered microbial populations, exacerbate IBS symptoms. Targeted therapeutic approaches that modulate these interconnected pathways may offer new hope for personalized treatment options.
