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World J Gastroenterol. Jul 21, 2014; 20(27): 8846-8858
Published online Jul 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i27.8846
Published online Jul 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i27.8846
Convergence of neuro-endocrine-immune pathways in the pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome
Maria M Buckley, Department of Physiology, Western Gateway Building, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
Siobhain M O’Mahony, Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience and Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
Dervla O’Malley, Department of Physiology and Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
Author contributions: Buckley MM, O’Mahony SM and O’Malley D contributed equally to this work, reviewing the literature and writing the paper; O’Malley D reviewed the contributions and integrated the sections.
Correspondence to: Dervla O’Malley, BSc, DIS, PhD, Department of Physiology, Western Gateway Building, University College Cork, Western Rd, Cork, Ireland. d.omalley@ucc.ie
Telephone: +353-21-4205483 Fax: +353-21-4205370
Received: October 25, 2013
Revised: February 13, 2014
Accepted: May 28, 2014
Published online: July 21, 2014
Processing time: 269 Days and 11.8 Hours
Revised: February 13, 2014
Accepted: May 28, 2014
Published online: July 21, 2014
Processing time: 269 Days and 11.8 Hours
Core Tip
Core tip: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder characterised by symptoms such as diarrhoea and/or constipation, bloating and abdominal pain. However the underlying pathophysiology of this common disorder remains unclear. Nonetheless, a number of mechanisms have been proposed to contribute to the initiation, exacerbation and persistence of symptoms. Alterations in brain-gut communication, stress, previous infections, abnormal microbiota, altered cytokine profiles and increased intestinal permeability have all been proposed as contributors to IBS and indeed, we propose that complex interactions between neural, endocrine and immune factors underlie the heterogeneity of symptoms that is characteristic of IBS.