title: Alterations in the intestinal microbiota and functional bowel symptoms.
abstract: Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are highly prevalent in Western countries yet no single mechanism or etiological agent that initiates IBS has been identified. Current research has implicated the intestinal microbiota with FGIDs. This article reviews the available literature/data regarding the intestinal microbiota and FGIDS. The possible relationships between the intestinal microbiota and the intestinal function and functional bowel symptoms are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, 4107 BioInformatics Building, CB# 7080, 130 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7080, USA. ringel@med.unc.edu
authors.forename: Yehuda
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ringel
authors.forename: Ian M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Carroll
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003109:Colonic Diseases, Functional / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000187:drug effects / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D015995:Prevalence; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents