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. 2002 Jul;51(Suppl 1):i41–i44. doi: 10.1136/gut.51.suppl_1.i41

A role for inflammation in irritable bowel syndrome?

G Barbara, R De Giorgio, V Stanghellini, C Cremon, R Corinaldesi
PMCID: PMC1867730  PMID: 12077063

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Figure 1 .

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Working hypothesis on the role of low grade inflammation in the pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome. A wide array of factors (for example, previous episodes of infective gastroenteritis, genetic factors, food allergies, and altered intestinal microflora) evoke mucosal low grade inflammation which is capable of sensitising both intrinsic primary afferent neurones (IPANs) and extrinsic primary afferent neurones. Abnormal stimulation of IPANs leads to altered intestinal motor function while sensitisation of extrinsic primary afferent neurones evokes visceral hypersensitivity and symptom generation. CNS, central nervous system.

Selected References

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