Journal
JOURNAL OF CROHNS & COLITIS
Volume 11, Issue 3, Pages 369-377Publisher
OXFORD UNIV PRESS
DOI: 10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjw162
Keywords
Ulcerative colitis; enteric nervous system; small intestinal dysfunction
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Small intestinal dysfunction has been described in patients with ulcerative colitis and in experimental animal models of colitis. This is demonstrated by a decrease in fluid, electrolyte, amino acid, fat and carbohydrate absorption as well as by deranged intestinal motility. Histopathological changes in the small intestines in colitis have not been consistently demonstrated, but there is evidence of structural and biochemical alterations as shown by increased intestinal permeability and a decrease in the expression of multiple brush border membrane enzymes such as disaccharidases and aminopetidases, in both humans and experimental animals. The pathophysiology of this dysfunction has not been elucidated, but it is thought to include alterations in neural circuitry such as increased neuronal excitability, neuronal damage and changes of neuropeptidergic innervation and receptors as well as an increase in local production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and alterations in the production of some neurohumoral mediators. In the following, we provide an update on the advancement of clinical and scientific contributions to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of the alteration of the functions of apparently intact small intestinal segments, induced by ulcerative colitis.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available