Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Shifting the Focus Toward the Gut Microbiota

Reconciling the disparate disturbances in IBS. Proinflammatory cytokine release due to low-grade intestinal inflammation may alter motor and secretory function and disturb the enteric microbial niche. The HPA axis is activated in response to centrally acting stressors or from peripheral cytokines and provides a link between the brain and immune function. Several factors may lead to disturbances in mucosal barrier function including inflammation and stress. AVP, argentine vasopressin; CRF, corticotrophin-releasing factor.