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. 2011 May;25(5):277-9.
doi: 10.1155/2011/478370.

Interstitial cells of Cajal: a novel hypothesis for the pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome

Ahad Eshraghian  1 , Hamed Eshraghian
Affiliations

Interstitial cells of Cajal: a novel hypothesis for the pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome

Ahad Eshraghian et al. Can J Gastroenterol. 2011 May.

Abstract
in English, French

Irritable bowl syndrome (IBS) affects a large proportion of the world's population, and accounts for a considerable number of visits to gastroenterologists and general practitioners. Despite its high prevalence, the precise mechanism of IBS has not been identified to date. The interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) participate in the production of slow waves and the regulation of their propagation through the gastrointestinal system; thus, they are important components of gastrointestinal motility. The present review proposes that ICC play a central role in the pathophysiology of IBS. This hypothesis is based on many links between ICC and currently proposed mechanisms of IBS pathophysiology. It appears that ICC may be involved in almost all of the previously explained pathogenic mechanisms of IBS. If proven, this hypothesis may provide a key to solving the IBS mystery.

Le syndrome du côlon irritable (SCI) touche une forte proportion de la population mondiale et suscite un nombre considérable de consultations chez le gastroentérologue ou le praticien généraliste. Malgré la forte prévalence de SCI, on n’en a pas déterminé le mécanisme précis jusqu’à présent. Les cellules interstitielles de Cajal (CIC) participent à la production d’ondes lentes et à la régulation de leur propagation dans le système gastro-intestinal. Elles constituent donc des éléments importants de la motilité gastro-intestinale. Dans la présente analyse, on postule que les CIC jouent un rôle central dans la physiopathologie du SCI. Cette hypothèse se fonde sur de nombreux liens entre les CIC et les mécanismes de la physiopathologie du SCI proposés actuellement. Il semble que les CIC puissent participer à la quasi-totalité des mécanismes pathogènes du SCI. Si cette hypothèse est démontrée, elle pourrait constituer une clé pour résoudre le mystère du SCI.

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