There is increasing evidence for involvement of the immune system in functional gastrointestinal disorder (FGID), including onset after acute gastrointestinal infections, genotypes resulting in altered cytokine expression and abnormal presence of immune cells. Our aim was to assess cellular and humoral immune responses in (i) FGIDs, compared to healthy subjects and (ii) acute vs unspecified onset FGIDs. Lymphocytic [interleukin (IL)-5, IL-10, IL-13 and interferon gamma (IFN-gamma)] and monocytic [IL-10, IL-12, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha] cytokine production was characterized at baseline and after stimulation with phytohemagglutinine and anti-CD28 or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in controls (n = 32), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (n = 30), functional dyspepsia (FD) (n = 23) and non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP) (n = 15). Serum IL-6 and IL-10 concentrations were compared, and the immunophenotype was assessed using fluorescent-activated cell sorter. Findings were compared for acute vs unspecified onset FGID. Compared to controls, stimulated lymphocyte expression of IL-5 and IL-13 was enhanced in IBS, FD and NCCP (all P < 0.05). Conversely, the stimulated monocytic IL-12 and lymphocytic IL-10 expression were reduced in IBS and FD, while IFN-gamma expression was also reduced in FD patients. Except for an increase in the numbers of CD3(+)CD45RA(+)CD45RO(+) cells, no distinct cellular profile was detected. Patients with a presumed acute onset of their symptoms had higher serum IL-10 levels and more CD3(+)CD45RA(+)CD45RO(+) cells, while TNF-alpha levels following stimulation with LPS were higher in FD patients reporting an acute onset. A shift towards a Th2 cytokine profile is present in FGID, while the cellular immunophenotype remains largely unchanged. Further research is indicated and could provide new therapeutic strategies for these disorders.

In a tertiary care population, functional dyspepsia is a heterogeneous condition characterized by 4 major dimensions differentially associated with psychopathological and physiopathological mechanisms.

SUMMARYBackground: The role of 5-hydroxytryptamine in the control of gastric fundus tone in humans is still unknown. Selective 5-hydroxytryptamine re-uptake inhibitors act both centrally and peripherally to enhance the availability of physiologically released 5-hydroxytryptamine. Aim: To study the influence of a selective 5-hydroxytryptamine re-uptake inhibitor, paroxetine, on gastric fundus tone, on the perception to gastric distension and on gastric accommodation to a meal. Methods: Sixteen healthy volunteers underwent a gastric barostat study on two occasions, after pre-treatment with placebo or paroxetine, 20 mg ⁄ day. Graded isobaric and isovolumetric distensions were performed and perception was scored by a questionnaire. Subsequently, the amplitude of the gastric accommodation to a mixed liquid meal was also measured.

SUMMARY BackgroundTricyclic antidepressants, which have multiple pharmacological influences, have a therapeutic effect in non-cardiac chest pain, but selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors have a single pharmacological effect.

SUMMARY BackgroundIt is unclear whether decreased serotonin transporter function contributes to sensorimotor abnormalities in irritable bowel syndrome.