Role of the neuroendocrine system in pathogenesis of gastroenteritis.
The concept of neuroendocrine modulation of infectious gastroenteritis adds another dimension to the pathophysiology of diarrhoeal diseases. Furthermore it opens up new avenues for therapeutic intervention. Until now, most interest has been directed at enterotoxin-producing bacteria, notably Vibrio cholerae and the enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli. However, more recently neuroendocrine recruitment has been implicated by other pathogens. The roles of vasoactive intestinal peptide, 5-hydroxytryptamine, tachykinins, nitric oxide and opioids are explored in this review. In addition new insights in the contradictory galanin story are discussed.
Turvill
James L.
JL
Digestive Diseases Research Centre, St Bartholomew's and The Royal London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Turner Street, London E1 2AD, UK.
Farthing
Michael J.G.
MJ