What's really going on behind IBS?
In effort to better understand what’s going on in IBS, research over the decades has a identified a large number of risk factors and dysfunctional underlying mechanisms that may be contributing to IBS. We’ve compiled a lengthy list of them here for you, based on our extensive review of the available literature.
Risk Factors
- Gender
- Age
- Genetics
- Epigenetics
- Mental Health
- Early Adverse Life Events and Trauma
Underlying Mechanisms
- Altered Central Nervous System Processing
- Autonomic Nervous System Dysregulation
- HPA Axis Dysregulation
- Neurotransmitter Alterations
- Altered Intestinal Immune Function
- Altered Gut Microbiome
- Intestinal Barrier Dysfunction
IBS - A Stress-Sensitive Condition
Without a doubt, the factors placing someone at risk for IBS are diverse and complex, but at the core is a singular unifying concept found in most IBS risk factors.
That unifier, you ask?
Stress.
When taking a deeper look, we can clearly see that stress in its many forms, in susceptible individuals, often builds the foundation for IBS to occur2.
What do we mean by stress
When you hear the word “stress,” the first thing that comes to mind may be some type of psychological stressor. You know what we mean – those stressful work deadlines, unpaid parking tickets, visits with the inlaws, etc.
But when we say stress, we’re talking about any physical or psychological stressor that can throw your body out of balance.
Stress can take many forms. Examples might include chronic stress in adulthood from a high-pressure job, abusive relationships, childhood trauma, mood disorders, inflammation, or gastrointestinal infections34.
Stress–especially chronic stress–can increase your vulnerability to developing IBS.
Making matters worse, when you throw stress on top of an existing IBS diagnosis, you may experience even worsened symptoms.
So clearly, stress is an issue, but why do physical and psychological stressors trigger IBS onset and symptoms?
While this area of research is in its infancy, we know that stress can influence many aspects of gut function. This can include changes to gut motility patterns, intestinal permeability, or the constant cross-talk between the brain and gut, which plays a primary role when it comes to gut symptoms in IBS.
As we go through the top risk factors and underlying mechanisms of gut-brain interaction in IBS, look out for the stressors at play and how they could trigger or worsen IBS symptoms.
Key Takeaways
- Risk factors for IBS are diverse, but at the core of most IBS risk factors is some form of stress in susceptible individuals.
- Stress that triggers IBS onset or symptoms includes psychological and physical stressors.
- Stress impacts normal gut functioning through several complex mechanisms.
Fixed Trait Risk Factors
Gender
Being female appears to result in greater susceptibility to developing IBS. While this is the case in most studies, the results aren’t consistent and tend to be location-specific.
For example, women in Western countries are up to twice as likely to develop IBS compared to men. However, in other parts of the world such as Asia, Africa, and South America, men actually have similar, if not higher, odds of being diagnosed with IBS and seeking out healthcare55.
Why the difference? We don’t know for sure.
Sex hormones? Probably7. Cultural differences and gender inequality? Also highly likely. Genetics? Always possible, but hasn’t been proven yet26. All of the above? We’ll have to wait and see.
Other than the overall prevalence of IBS, researchers have found additional gender-specific differences between men and women. Here are a few of the notable ones:
- When it comes to IBS subtypes, women are more likely to have IBS-C than men, while men experience more IBS-D than women5.
- There can be differences in the way men and women report and experience IBS. For example, in one Japanese study on IBS-C patients, anxiety was significantly associated with abdominal discomfort and pain in women but not in men10.
- Gender differences in parts of the brain that are activated in response to pain have been observed in some studies116.
- For many women, IBS symptoms seem to worsen during menstruation13.
Key Takeaways
- Women are about twice as likely to suffer from IBS in Western countries than men.
- Factors that may influence the prevalence and symptom experience of IBS for women include sex hormones, genetics, anatomical differences, and social dynamics.
Age
Key Takeaways
- In Western countries, people younger than 50 years of age are at a higher risk for IBS.
Genetics
Thanks to available data from studies on IBS within families and twins, as well as modern technology that allows us to analyze genes, we now know that genetics can play a role in IBS.
To what extent? That continues to be debated.
Studies assessing the heritability of IBS – that is, the likelihood it gets passed onto us through our genes – report ranges from 0 to 57%16. Similarly, while numerous associations have been found between IBS and specific gene variants, results differ depending on which study you look at, and no precise genetic cause has been found17.
It’s also important to note that it’s unlikely that any particular genetic variant causes IBS; it’s much more likely that it’s caused by the interaction of multiple genes along with environmental risk factors.
With that said, several genes have shown some consistency in being associated with IBS. They include genes that code for various proteins that play key roles in a number of physiological functions161719, such as:161719
- Gut motility, secretions, and permeability
- Neuronal functioning, such as pain sensation
- Immune system strength and functioning
- Psychological processing, and the development of mental health disorders
Key Takeaways
- Genetics may play a role in developing IBS, but it’s unclear to what extent.
- Studies show that several gene variants are associated with IBS.
- The presence of multiple genes and environmental risk factors likely
Environmental Risk Factors
Early Childhood Adverse Events & Trauma
One study, in particular, showed the following:
- The greater number of EALs you have increases your odds of having IBS
- The perceived severity of the trauma significantly increases your odds of having IBS
- Confiding in others after an EAL showed to be protective against developing IBS, with one study showing that it can reduce your odds of developing it by 17%. This could be because of support resources or a greater ability to cope20
Key Takeaways
- Suffering from traumatic childhood experiences or ‘early adverse life events’ (EALs) can increase your chance of developing IBS later in life.
- A great number of EALs and EAL severity further increases your risk of developing IBS, while confiding in others about the EAL may reduce the risk.
- EALs or trauma may affect epigenetic mechanisms that dysregulate the HPA axis and GI function.
Gastroenteritis & Post-Infectious IBS
The chances of getting a gastrointestinal infection at some point is pretty high. 25This can be caused by a bacterial infection, viral infection, or protozoal infection. Having a GI infection puts you at a higher risk of developing IBS, or what is sometimes called, ‘post-infectious IBS.’ Rates of PI-IBS vary around the world, but on average, about 1 in 10 people with a GI infection will go on to develop PI-IBS. However, what causes someone to later develop PI-IBS is still unknown25.
One possible cause is exposure to pathogens that result in alterations to intestinal permeability and inflammation.26 It also involves changes in the intestinal microbiome as well as the epithelial, serotonergic, and immune systems.25 However, these mechanisms are not fully understood yet.
Risk factors for developing PI-IBS include being female, being younger in age, having psychological distress (like anxiety or depression) during or prior to the acute gastroenteritis, and the severity of the illness.2527 Antibiotic use during illness has shown mixed results for being neutral or a risk factor28.
2726
Key Takeaways
- Around 1 in 10 people who develop gastroenteritis will develop post-infectious IBS afterwards.
- People who have gastroenteritis are more likely to develop IBS symptoms in comparison to someone who has not had gastroenteritis.
- Risk factors for post-infectious IBS include being female, being younger in age, having psychological distress during or prior to having gastroenteritis
- Infection type may increase/decrease your odds of developing PI-IBS.
Overlapping Fixed Trait & Environmental Risk Factors
Epigenetics
Epigenetics is a fascinating area of scientific research that looks at the molecular modifications that are made to our genes. These modifications determine which genes are being expressed.
For example, maybe you were unlucky and inherited genes that put you at a higher risk for a certain disease. You can’t change your actual DNA that makes up that gene, or at least not yet, but whether you end up getting that disease somewhat depends on if that gene is ever turned on.
What causes these epigenetic changes? Some changes may be inherited, but others are likely influenced by environmental factors such as stress, diet, and the microbiome29.
While the research is still in its early stages, several significant epigenetic changes in certain genes in IBS patients have been observed. These include changes that lead to increased or decreased expression of genes influencing intestinal permeability, motility, and sensitivity2930.
While we can’t control which genes we inherit, the hope is that with additional research we will someday be able to utilize the power of epigenetics to prevent and cure many disorders including IBS.
Key Takeaways
- Epigenetics is the study of molecular changes that influence gene expression, combining both fixed and environmental risk factors.
- Studies on epigenetic changes have identified potential links to IBS including altered gut permeability, motility, and sensitivity
- Future studies may reveal interventions that can influence the expression of genes that are causing or worsening IBS.
Mental Health
The sorrow which has no vent in tears may make other organs weep.
– Henry Maudsley
There is a huge overlap when it comes to mental health and IBS14. Anxiety and depression are the most common diagnoses, but those with IBS frequently suffer from a number of other psychological disturbances including chronic fatigue syndrome, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and sleep disorders313233.
Updated data using the most recent diagnostic criteria for both IBS and anxiety or depression is seriously lacking, but based on previous criteria, the majority of studies have found that somewhere around 40-60% of people who have IBS will also have a mental health disorder of some kind. 3434863738Like other risk factors, these numbers differ somewhat depending on which part of the world the study was done in, but either way, it is clear that a mental health diagnosis is a risk factor regardless of where you call home23935.
Because of the extremely high numbers of mental health disorders seen alongside IBS, attempts have been made to take the next step and sort out which problem came first. But, IBS being IBS, of course, the results have turned out to be a replay of the chicken vs egg scenario. Diagnosis of IBS is frequently seen both well before or well after a diagnosis of a mental health disorder, making them significant risk factors for each other1540. Leave it to IBS to keep us on our toes.
Key Takeaways
- People with IBS suffer from a number of psychological disturbances but most commonly anxiety and depression
- There is a huge overlap between IBS and mental health disorders, making these conditions significant risk factors for each other.
IBS - A Disorder Of Gut-Brain Interaction
Nervous System Basics
Before we get into the underlying mechanisms of IBS, it’s important to have a basic understanding of nervous system functioning and terminology, as this is the backbone of gut-brain communication. We promise that this quick intro to the nervous system will help you to better understand the mechanisms and pathways that underlie IBS.
Our bodies are equipped with a very complex nervous system. We can think of this as a communication network and control center that helps to regulate and coordinate the functions of the mind and body. Our nervous system works alongside other bodily systems to keep us in an optimally functioning state (homeostasis).
The nervous system is broken down into two primary categories:
- The Central Nervous System (CNS): the brain, brainstem, and spinal cord
- The Peripheral Nervous System: all the nerves that branch out from the CNS to other parts of the body
The peripheral nervous system is then further broken down into two subcategories:
- The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS): takes care of bodily functions that are involuntary or “autonomous” (e.g., breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, and digestion42).
- The Somatic Nervous System: in charge of voluntary activities that require conscious effort (e.g., walking, reaching, lifting, etc.)
The ANS is the system we will be focusing on the most. It contains three additional branches:
- The Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS): promotes the “fight or flight” response
- The Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS): promotes “rest and digest” processes
- The Enteric Nervous System (ENS): controls our digestive processes
- 4342
Spotlight on the Enteric Nervous System – The ‘Second Brain’
The ENS is the nervous system of the gastrointestinal tract. It contains reflex pathways that control digestive functions such as contraction and relaxation, secretion and absorption, and blood flow. 42While the ENS is capable of functioning independently42, its function is influenced by other branches of the ANS, the CNS, and other bodily systems that we’ll explore further below.
The ENS has been referred to as the ‘second brain’ based on its size, complexity, and similarity to the brain in terms of signaling molecules and neurotransmitters it uses. 43It’s made up of millions of nerve cells (neurons) within the wall of the bowels – 5 times more than are found in our spinal cord69. Most notably, the ENS has close connections with the emotional processing centers of the brain (AKA the limbic system) with some describing the ENS as an extension of the brain’s limbic system in the gut43.
Key Takeaways
- The nervous system contains several complex interconnected subsystems
- When discussing IBS, we will primarily be focused on a branch of the peripheral nervous system called the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which contains the sympathetic (SNS), parasympathetic (PNS), and enteric nervous systems (ENS).
- The ENS has close connections with the limbic system, which is where our brain processes emotions.
- The ENS is the nervous system of the digestive tract and is often referred to as the ‘second brain’.
The Gut-Brain Axis
- The Central Nervous System
- The Autonomic Nervous System
- The Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis
- The Immune System
- The Gut Microbiome
- The Intestinal Barrier
Key Takeaways
- The Gut-Brain Axis (GBA) is a network of bidirectional communication between the gut and brain.
-
The GBA integrates the emotional and cognitive centers of the brain with intestinal functions
- e.g., intestinal: immune, reflexive, endocrine, and barrier integrity functions
- The GBA also plays a role in higher cognitive functions, motivation, and mood
-
The GBA relies on several interwoven components, including:
- The Central Nervous System
- The Autonomic Nervous System
- The Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis
- Neurotransmitters
- The Immune System
- The Gut Microbiome
- Intestinal Permeability
- All of the above components have been found to be dysfunctional in subsets of IBS patients and comprise many of the underlying mechanisms tied to IBS.
Underlying Mechanisms
Altered Central Nervous System Processing
One of the reasons IBS is so poorly understood is because much of what we think is going on involves body systems that are not well understood themselves. This is especially true when it comes to studying our central nervous system (CNS), which includes the brain, brainstem, and spinal cord.
Only in recent years with the development of modern brain imaging tools, such as fMRI and PET scans, have neuroscientists been able to start to get an idea of what’s really going on under the hood. These amazing machines allow us to start making much-needed progress in understanding the neural networks that process all the data in the form of electrical signals that neurons are sending and receiving.
Getting a deeper understanding of how the brain works is incredibly important because it shifts the way in which we think about our thoughts and emotions, and how deeply intertwined these mental experiences are to the physical. It also means we can develop and utilize effective treatments based on this interconnected, bi-directional brain-gut relationship to reprogram our brains and overcome debilitating disorders such as IBS.
The CNS & IBS
How our brain circuits are mapped is highly complex and individualized, but researchers have noticed that there are some significant ways in which the brains of people with IBS are different compared to those without IBS. This includes everything from the physical brain composition (grey vs white matter), all the way to exactly which areas are being used to process information, how the different areas are connected to each other, and the strength of those connections4546.
Along the same lines is the issue of visceral sensitization. This is when nerves in the gut are activated and/or altered in a way that results in increased stimulation in the CNS, leading to some of the common symptoms of IBS such as pain. Those with IBS have been found to have lower pain thresholds, which means they start to experience pain at lower levels of stimulation compared to those without IBS. There are a number of legitimate reasons for this, including an increased immune response, significant stress, injury, and even genetics474849.
The good news is that several effective therapies already exist that can decrease correct altered processing and reduce visceral sensitivity.
Key Takeaways
- Several differences have been found in the ways people with IBS sense and process neurological information compared to people without IBS
- These differences likely contribute to IBS onset and/or perpetuation of symptoms
- Several effective therapies already exist that can decrease correct altered processing and reduce visceral sensitivity
Autonomic Nervous System Dysregulation
The Sympathetic Nervous System
Parasympathetic Nervous System
The Parasympathetic and Sympathetic Nervous Systems & IBS
People with IBS have been found to have hyperfunction of the SNS and reduced function of the PNS. 50This pattern of dysfunction is also seen in mood and anxiety disorders,50 which are known IBS risk factors.
Increased SNS activity has been shown to enhance visceral sensitivity, 50and decreased PNS activity has been hypothesized to be the culprit behind some of the overlapping chronic pain disorders in IBS such as headaches, chronic pelvic pain, fibromyalgia, and psychiatric conditions50.
Key Takeaways
- The SNS is a stress-response output system that induces our fight or flight response
- Activation of the SNS generally provokes an inflammatory response, alters the immune activity of the gut, and may alter the microbiome function and composition in harmful ways.
- The PNS is the “rest and digest” arm of the nervous system is generally anti-inflammatory
- People with IBS have been found to have higher SNS activity and lower PNS activity
- This alteration in function may promote more inflammation, abnormal immune activity, and is associated with more intestinal sensitivity and possibly other pain disorders related to IBS (e.g., headaches, fibromyalgia, and chronic pelvic pain)
HPA Axis Dysregulation
The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is an important neuroendocrine system in the body that is one of our main stress response output systems. The term “neuroendocrine” refers to interactions between our nervous system and hormones secreted by endocrine glands in the body.
The HPA axis involves 3 populations of hormone-releasing cells located in the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and adrenal cortex55. Hormonal signals sent out from each of these cell populations drives the interaction of the HPA axis and its influence on bodily functions and systems. These hormones include:
- Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)
- Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
- Cortisol
We do not have direct control over HPA axis activity, but it can be activated by life experiences and other environmental stressors, as well as increased inflammation in general. 4455When stressors or inflammatory molecules activate the system, the following neuroendocrine cascade of ensues:
- CRF is released from the hypothalamus
- CRF binds to the anterior pituitary
- ACTH is then secreted by the pituitary gland
- ACTH enters into circulation, prompting the release of cortisol from the adrenal cortex
- Cortisol provides negative feedback to halt CRF production and to switch off the HPA axis so the body can return to a balanced state (homeostasis)
48So why do we care so much about the HPA Axis when it comes to gut function? Well turns out hormones released as part of the HPA axis can influence intestinal motility, secretion, and sensitivity. 56Likewise, HPA axis hormones have downstream effects on the immune system, autonomic nervous system, intestinal neurotransmitters, and the gut microbiome. 57Hormones such as CRF can also alter function in regions of the brain that process fear and pain. 56Therefore, the HPA axis influences gut-brain functioning and communication through multiple interconnected mechanisms.
HPA Axis & IBS
Evidence suggests that subsets of IBS patients may have an excessive HPA axis response to stress. For instance, administering the hormone CRF to IBS patients – the hormone that initiates the HPA axis cascade – can result in an exaggerated release of a downstream hormone, ACTH, which suggests that some people with IBS might have a hyperactive HPA axis48. Moreover, HPA axis dysfunction is a hallmark characteristic of certain risk factors for IBS, such as in those who’ve gone through early adverse life events48.
Key Takeaways
- The HPA axis is one of the primary stress-response output systems in the body and is involved in normal bodily processes but can also be activated by stress or inflammation
- Activation of the HPA axis results in the release of hormones which lead to a stress response, as well as a recovery back to a balanced state (homeostasis)
- Hormones involved in the HPA axis influence intestinal motility, secretion, and sensitivity.
- These hormones have downstream effects on our immune system, autonomic nervous system, intestinal neurotransmitters, the gut microbiome, and pain and fear processing regions of the brain.
- The HPA axis has multiple interconnected mechanisms by which it may alter gut-brain function and communication
- Some IBS patients have been found to have HPA axis hyperactivity
Neurotransmitter Alterations
As you know by now, the gut-brain axis communication involves several key players, including the ANS, CNS, ENS, HPA axis, microbiome, and the intestinal barrier. One of the ways all these systems communicate is through chemical messengers called neurotransmitters53.
Neurotransmitters form a primary link between intestinal functioning and the emotional and cognitive centers of the brain, 59influencing our thoughts, feelings, memories, and pain regulation59.
In the intestines, various neurotransmitters help regulate motility, secretion, visceral sensitivity, immune system regulation, and even microbiome activity and composition53.
Sadly, there’s evidence that these key players in intestinal and cognitive functioning may be altered in some people with IBS. Evidence for this includes the presence of certain IBS risk factors where neurotransmitters are known to be involved – i.e., anxiety, stress, and depression. 53Hints of this neurotransmitter dysfunction can also be seen in the central nervous systems of IBS patients where significant alterations in neural processing have been found53.
Just for a glance-over, neurotransmitters that have been proposed to play a role in IBS include:
- Serotonin
- Norepinephrine
- Epinephrine
- Glutamate
- Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA)
- Acetylcholine (ACh)
- Histamine
53Of these, we’ll be highlighting serotonin, as this is the most well-researched neurotransmitter in IBS, and because common IBS therapies often target serotonin dysfunction through medications.
Serotonin
Serotonin (also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine, or 5-HT) is a neurotransmitter that plays an important role in the CNS and in the GI tract. It is released from specialized cells in the gut called enterochromaffin cells (ECCs), as well as from serotonergic neurons in the ENS. 60It’s involved in controlling behavior, vomiting, temperature, and other neurological functions in the CNS. 53In the gut, it’s an important signaling molecule that regulates intestinal motility, secretion, and pain perception. 61Gut-derived serotonin may also impact inflammation, neuron development, maintenance of the ENS, and bone development61.
The functions of serotonin are carried out through the binding of serotonin to its various receptors throughout the body. 53The body comprises 14 different types of serotonin receptors, with 3 main receptor types located in the intestines: 5-HT1, 5-HT3, and 5-HT453.
After performing functions in the intestine to stimulate intestinal motility, secretion, and other GI reflexes, serotonin is taken up by serotonin transporters (SERT) from cells situated along the intestinal lining. 53The uptake of serotonin by SERT prevents serotonin overstimulation53.
Serotonin signaling in the gut can be altered by the intestinal microbiota through the production of microbial byproducts, often referred to as metabolites. 60These metabolites bind to receptors on ECCs, and can increase serotonin production. Serotonin then goes on to regulate gut motility by activating neurons of the ENS. 60Serotonin release can also be regulated by a variety of other stimuli, including the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems53.
Serotonin & IBS
A number of research findings point to serotonin’s involvement in the altered motility and bowel transit times found in IBS60.
For example, after-meal serotonin blood plasma levels have been found to be higher in patients with IBS-D and correlate to faster transit times in the colon60.
In patients with IBS-C, the mechanisms responsible for serotonin release are also thought to be impaired. For instance, IBS-C patients have been found to have higher serotonin concentrations inside ECCs, and low after-meal serotonin blood plasma levels60, indicating impaired release of serotonin from ECCs.
Moreover, IBS symptoms including hypersensitivity, altered motility, or diarrhea might be explained by changes in serotonin transporter (SERT) function through changes in gene expression. 53A decrease of SERT function in IBS-D patients has been tied to an increased quantity of intestinal immune cells, such as intraepithelial lymphocytes and mast cells, 53which link SERT function to potential alterations in intestinal immune activity. Changes to SERT function in IBS populations are not consistent, with variance seen depending on gender, psychological conditions, genetics, and ethnicity53.
The serotonin receptor, 5-HT3, plays a role in regulating intestinal movement, is involved in gut-brain communication via vagus nerve connections, and can alter pain signaling pathways. Genetic variations of 5-HT3 receptors may be associated with IBS-D risk53.
The significance of serotonin in IBS has also been supported by the use of serotonergic drugs which have shown to be effective in treating some patients with IBS-C and IBS-D60.
Key Takeaways
- Neurotransmitters are the chemical messengers that help various areas of the body communicate with each other
- Studies suggest neurotransmitters play a key role in IBS pathophysiology, especially serotonin
- Serotonin is an important neurotransmitter in the gut which regulates gut motility, secretion, pain perception, inflammation, and ENS development.
- A number of studies support serotonin playing a role in the altered motility and bowel transit times found in IBS
- Patients with IBS-D have been found to have higher serotonin levels after a meal
- Patients with IBS-C have been found to have impaired serotonin release after a meal
- Alterations to the genetic expression of serotonin transporters – important for preventing serotonin overstimulation – have been tied to IBS symptoms
- Genetic alterations to certain intestinal serotonin receptors has been associated with IBS-D
- Serotonergic drugs have shown to be effective treating some patients with IBS-C and IBS-D
Altered Intestinal Immune Function
As you may already know, the immune system is our body’s way of protecting us by responding to perceived threats. Not surprisingly, the largest interface between our immune system and the environment is in the GI tract. 62This makes a lot of sense, given that our intestines are constantly exposed to potentially harmful byproducts from our gut microbiota and food antigens62.
In order to tolerate these exposures, our immune system has to appropriately regulate a balance between pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory responses. 63To pull this off, our GI tract is equipped with a complex monitoring system to help orchestrate appropriate patterns of movement, secretion, and blood flow. 48This signals the bowels to either digest and absorb when everything seems safe and clear, or to dilute and expel if there’s a perceived threat48.
These GI sensory mechanisms play an important role in triggering intestinal reflexes by communicating information to the ENS and also through pathways of communication to our CNS48.
The Immune System & IBS
Research has yet to reveal exactly what role the immune system is playing in the dysregulated brain-gut pathways, but safe to say something seems fishy.
For example, studies have shown that people with IBS often have increased numbers of certain types of white blood cells, such as mast cells, in specific areas of their gut64. Like other white blood cells, mast cells help protect our bodies from foreign invaders, such as bacteria and allergens, but can also be activated by non-physical stressors too65. They function by releasing various types of molecules, such as cytokines, neurotransmitters, and enzymes that break down proteins, known as proteases65.
Why is this especially interesting in the context of IBS? Well, turns out, these molecules are known to cause a whole host of effects including, inflammation, visceral hypersensitivity, increased intestinal permeability, and dysmotility67, all key symptoms in IBS. On top of this, studies have also found that the presence of mast cells hanging out close to enteric nerves correlated with symptoms of abdominal pain68. Coincidence? We think not.
Besides this whole suspicious mast cell business, results from genetic studies also support the theory that the immune system is playing a big role in IBS for some people. Several of these studies have shown that having certain variations in genes that code for pro-inflammatory molecules, such as IL-6 and TNFS15, increase the risk of IBS, whereas having certain variations in genes for anti-inflammatory molecules, such as IL-10, decreases IBS risk. 6970Again, these are just association studies and don’t prove cause and effect, but they do point to inflammation as a potential factor in IBS.
Lastly, there is a lot of evidence to suggest that an altered immune response may be underlying the development of post infectious-IBS (PI-IBS). Those who acquire PI-IBS seem to have a stronger immune response during a gastrointestinal infection, as evidenced by increased expression of pro-inflammatory molecules such as IL-1β. 71Not only was IL-1β beta elevated during the course of the actual infection, but also long afterwards. All this extra inflammation may be damaging tissue and sensitizing nerves, leading to increased pain lasting long after a bout of gastroenteritis7273.
Key Takeaways
- The immune system is our body’s way of monitoring and responding to perceived threats to keep us safe.
- The intestinal immune system plays an important role in intestinal reflexes through routes of communication between the ENS and CNS
- Studies have shown increased numbers of immune cells such as mast cell in IBS patients
- Activation of mast cells could be contributing to several of the underlying mechanisms in IBS such as visceral hypersensitivity, intestinal permeability, gut dysmotility, and inflammation
- Findings from genetic studies also support the theory that the immune system, specifically inflammation, may be playing a role in IBS
- An altered immune response may be especially large role in development of PI-IBS
Altered Gut Microbiome
The human microbiome is a diverse and complex ecosystem inhabited by thousands of microbial species known to play a role in health and disease74.
When we start to talk about the microbiome, it is important to note that our bodies consist of many microbiomes. It may not be too comforting to think about, but the truth is that every surface of our body exposed to the environment is covered with bacteria and other microorganisms. Your skin, nasal passage, mouth, everything.
With that said, usually when we are talking about the “microbiome”, especially in the context of IBS, we are actually referring to the microbiota of the small and large intestines in the gastrointestinal system.
Most of the time these microorganisms live in peace and harmony with our own bodies, thriving off of the cozy home we offer them, and in return, providing us with a long list of goods and services. This includes proper immune system development and regulation, production of vitamins, prevention of infections, regulation of our genes, and it even plays a role in brain and nervous system functioning7576777879.
However, sometimes people can find themselves in a state of dysbiosis that can lead to many different types of illnesses.
Defining dysbiosis can be a bit tricky since the scientific community has not yet been able to identify what exactly a healthy, normal microbial profile even is80. But in general, dysbiosis refers to an imbalance in the microbiota composition and activity that results in disease promotion81.
The Gut Microbiome & IBS
So, how do we know that dysbiosis or disturbances of the microbiota play a role in IBS specifically?
One clue is that the amounts of certain bacteria and the overall diversity of microbes in IBS patients differ significantly from healthy controls in research studies82. For example, several studies have found decreased amounts of the genera Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus in IBS subjects, with increased Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratios at the phylum level83.
Another clue is that many of those with IBS have a previous history of some sort of intestinal infection, referred to as gastroenteritis84. Results vary (as usual), but studies show that at least 10% of those who get gastroenteritis will go on to then develop IBS85. IBS diagnosed after a bout of gastroenteritis is referred to as post-infectious IBS, or PI-IBS.
Another strong piece of evidence that supports the role of the microbiome in IBS is that certain antibiotics have been shown to be helpful in treating IBS in some cases. 8687The positive effects don’t always last with these medications, but for a subset of people they do seem to help to some extent.
Still not convinced? Well then get this: Scientists have shown that they are able to induce IBS symptoms in rats, such as hypersensitivity, anxiety, and increased gut motility, by simply transferring fecal material from IBS patients into the intestines of previously healthy rats, a process known as a fecal transplant. 8889These amazing studies not only tie the microbiome to IBS specifically, but also to the bigger gut-brain picture in general.
Key Takeaways
- The gut microbiome plays a key role in health and disease
- A healthy gut microbiome is not only important for prevention against infection and proper immune system development and functioning, but individual microbiota also produce a number of metabolites that influence brain and nervous system functioning.
- There’s strong evidence to support the role of a disturbed microbiome in IBS
Intestinal Barrier Dysfunction
The intestinal barrier is the part of our gut that separates fecal content moving through our intestines from the rest of our body. It is made up of multiple layers, including an outer mucus layer colonized by bacteria, an inner mucus layer, the epithelial cell layer, and then finally the lamina propria, a layer which contains immune cells that help the body respond to unwanted invaders and other threats90.
Although all these layers play a significant role in protecting us against the outside environment, most of the time concerns regarding the intestinal barrier integrity are referring to dysfunction in the permeability of the epithelial cell layer, a condition often referred to as ‘leaky gut’.
Intestinal permeability in general refers to the ability of ions, molecules, and other particles to pass through the intestinal epithelial cells. This happens either directly through the cells (transcellular route) or in-between them (paracellular route)91. Epithelial cells are held together by junction complexes, which regulate the flow of particles through the paracellular route.
Because these cells that make up our intestinal barrier are also responsible for absorbing nutrients from the food we eat, some permeability is totally normal and healthy. However, too much permeability may be leading to unwanted particles getting through that are wreaking havoc on our bodies and causing illness.
The Intestinal Barrier & IBS
- Food94
- Gastrointestinal infections23
- Environmental factors such as smoke, pollution, and pesticides18
- Medications, such as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)18
- Stress and other psychological factors 12
- Immune system activation858
- Microbiota97
- Genetics17
Key Takeaways
- Gut permeability refers to the ability of particles to pass through the intestinal barrier that separates the gastrointestinal lumen from the rest of the body.
- Increased gut permeability or ‘leaky gut’ is when there is dysfunction in the intestinal barrier, with the main layer of concern usually being the epithelial cells.
- There are several factors that can lead to gut increased permeability
- Testing for gut permeability is complicated because of the lack of standardized testing methods or established normal values.
- Increased gut permeability is found more in IBS-D and PI-IBS patients than in other subtypes.
Summary
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If you’ve made it this far without a stress-induced IBS flare from information overload, then congrats! We’ll go ahead and count that as a win. At this point, we’d love nothing more than to provide you with a singular cause of IBS after all of that explaining, but that’s simply never gonna happen. IBS refuses to be contained in such a neat and tidy ‘causes’ box.
This condition seems to be more like one big Jenga puzzle where missing ‘blocks’ (i.e., risk factors and related underlying mechanisms) start throwing off gut-brain interaction, destabilizing the tower of proper GI functioning. The resulting downstream dysfunction snowballs to the point that it’s nearly impossible to tease out what went wrong in the first place.
So what can we say with certainty about the cause of IBS?
We can say that: - IBS is well-recognized as a condition of gut-brain interaction
- The condition presents as similar clusters of symptoms but appears to come about from highly diverse and overlapping biological, social, and psychological factors, often interwoven with a dysregulated stress response.
- Having IBS is not all in your head!
- Underlying mechanisms and risk factors tied to IBS symptoms mostly happen without our conscious awareness or control, however these factors are also windows of opportunity for IBS therapies
- In the end, the personal circumstances and traits that come before an IBS diagnosis are unique to each individual. This means that the specific ‘cause’ or combination of triggering factors and underlying mechanisms will differ from one person to the next.
