Drugs affecting visceral sensitivity: ready for the prime time?
Visceral sensitivity has been recognized over the last decade as a frequent pathophysiological component of functional bowel disorders. Studies in animals and humans have identified numerous neurotransmitters involved in the processing of sensations from the gut to the brain. However, up to now none of them has actually been proven to have a marked clinical efficacy and the benefit comes rather from their action of bowel disturbances. Reproducible tests are lacking to detect visceral hypersensitivity in humans and distension tests are difficult to undertake in a clinical setting. Therefore, abnormal visceral sensitivity may not be regarded as a tool to select IBS patients as candidates for a given treatment.
Delvaux
Michel M
MM
Department of Internal Medicine and Digestive Pathology, CHU de Nancy, Nancy, France. m.delvaux@chu-nancy.fr
Gay
Gérard
G
D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D017288:Pain Threshold / Q000502:physiology*; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D041742:Upper Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000294:innervation* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014781:Viscera / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000294:innervation*; D017833:Visceral Afferents / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology
D000700:Analgesics; D017981:Receptors, Neurotransmitter