Drugs Affecting Visceral Sensitivity: Ready for the Prime Time?

Abstract

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.

microRNA‐495 reduces visceral sensitivity in mice with diarrhea‐predominant irritable bowel syndrome through suppression of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway via PKIB

“…In addition, our study also found that the AWR scores in the presence of sh‐PKIB significantly decreased, suggesting silencing PKIB reduces visceral sensitivity in mice with IBS‐D. Visceral sensitivity is known as a common pathophysiological component of functional bowel disease in the past decade . According to another report, visceral hypersensitivity may lead to pain associated with gas, gastrointestinal contractions, or other sensory abnormalities .…”

“…24 In addition, our study also found that the AWR scores in the presence of sh-PKIB significantly decreased, suggesting silencing PKIB reduces visceral sensitivity in mice with IBS-D. Visceral sensitivity is known as a common pathophysiological component of functional bowel disease in the past decade. 25 According to another report, visceral hypersensitivity may lead to pain associated with gas, gastrointestinal contractions, or other sensory abnormalities. 26,27 Available evidence has demonstrated that visceral hypersensitivity is highly prevalent in patients with IBS, and AWR test, the most widely used method to assess animal's visceral sensitivity in recent year, can evaluate the behavioral response of animals through expanding the intestinal tract.…”

Morphine and ABT-594 (a Nicotinic Acetylcholine Agonist) Exert Centrally Mediated Antinociception in the Rat Cyclophosphamide Cystitis Model of Visceral Pain

“…1,2,16,19,21,22,40 A major challenge in studying visceral pain is identifying adequate paineliciting stimuli at specific visceral sites or organs such as the urinary bladder. The demand for a reliable, reproducible, source-specific model for advancing knowledge regarding visceral pain and its modulation is immense.…”

Advances in GI Pharmacology and Therapeutics

“…As a consequence, visceral hypersensitivity has been considered a target for drug development [13] . And indeed, agents affecting serotonin, CCK, TK and opioid receptors all affect visceral sensitivity.…”