title: Functional gastrointestinal disorders and the potential role of eosinophils.
abstract: The eosinophil-mast cell-neural pathway may be important in the pathophysiology of functional gastrointestinal disorders characterized by unexplained abdominal pain, disordered defecation, or meal-related discomfort. There is evidence that duodenal eosinophils are increased in functional dyspepsia, whereas mast cells are increased in the lower gut in irritable bowel syndrome, directly supporting a role for a hypersensitivity-type reaction in these disorders. The trigger may be a pathogen, food, or other allergen in the gut mucosa. This trigger may evoke eosinophils, mast cells, and other components to cascade to up-regulate serotonin release, with modulation of the enteric and central nervous systems, creating a vicious cycle. If correct, this theory suggests treatment should specifically target the eosinophil-mast cell pathway.
authors.affiliation: Department of Histopathology, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London W2 1PG, United Kingdom. mm.walker@imperial.ac.uk
authors.forename: Marjorie M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: Nicholas J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Talley
mesh_terms: D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*