Vol.4
Gastroenterological disorders
Uranga et al. [7] reviewed the effects of mast cells on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a disorder of the gut-brain axis. There is a close interaction between the immune system and the nervous system with mast cells playing a key mediation role. A variety of food components were found to affect the modulation of mast cell activity in a specific manner. These nutrient-derived bioactive compounds include fatty acids, lipid molecules, fat-soluble vitamins (D3 & E), amino acids (arginine, glutamine and glycine), carotenoids, polyphenolic compounds, and spices. They can reduce mast cell degranulation that is responsible for the de novo synthesis of mediators of the neuro-immune-endocrine alterations present in IBS.
López-Gómez et al. [8] reviewed the effects of nutraceuticals as modulators of enteric glial cells (EGC). Various compounds, particularly those with antioxidant activity including L-glutamine, L-glutathione, quercetin, resveratrol, and palmitoylethanolamide, were found to exert local or systemic neuroprotective effects on the enteric nervous system. Hence, nutraceuticals targeting the EGCs can potentially prevent or reduce gastroenterological disorders.
[References]
- Uranga, J.A.; Martínez, V.; Abalo, R. Mast Cell Regulation and Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Effects of Food Components with Potential Nutraceutical Use. Molecules 2020, 25, 4314, doi:10.3390/molecules25184314.
- López-Gómez, L.; Szymaszkiewicz, A.; Zielińska, M.; Abalo, R. Nutraceuticals and enteric glial cells. Molecules 2021, 26, 3762, doi:10.3390/molecules26123762.
