Ion channels, ion channel receptors, and visceral hypersensitivity in irritable bowel syndrome

• Published in: Neurogastroenterology and motility 2016-11, Vol.28 (11), p.1613-1618
• Main Authors: Fuentes, I. M., Christianson, J. A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Calcium Channels, T-Type - physiology; Humans; ion channels; Ion Channels - physiology; irritable bowel syndrome; Irritable Bowel Syndrome - diagnosis; Irritable Bowel Syndrome - physiopathology; microbiome; Pain Threshold - physiology; serotonin; TRP; TRPV Cation Channels - physiology; visceral hypersensitivity; Visceral Pain - diagnosis; Visceral Pain - physiopathology
• ISSN: 1350-1925; 1365-2982
• DOI: 10.1111/nmo.12979

Ion channels are expressed throughout the gastrointestinal system and regulate nearly every aspect of digestion, including fluid secretion and absorption, motility, and visceral sensitivity. It is therefore not surprising that in the setting of functional bowel disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ion channels are often altered in terms of expression level and function and are a target of pharmacological intervention. This is particularly true of their role in driving abdominal pain through visceral hypersensitivity (VH), which is the main reason IBS patients seek medical care. In the study by Scanzi et al., in the current issue of this journal, they provide evidence that the T‐type voltage‐gated calcium channel (Cav) Cav3.2 is upregulated in human IBS patients, and is necessary for the induction of an IBS‐like disease state in mice. In this mini‐review, we will discuss the contribution of specific ion channels to VH in IBS, both in human patients and rodent models. We will also discuss how Cav3.2 may play a role as an integrator of multiple environmental stimuli contributing toward VH. Ion channels are expressed throughout the gastrointestinal system and regulate nearly every aspect of digestion, including fluid secretion and absorption, motility, and visceral sensitivity. In this mini‐review, we will discuss the contribution of specific ion channels and ion channel receptors to visceral hypersensitivity in irritable bowel syndrome, both in human patients and rodent models.