Physiopathology and Pharmacology of the Gastrointestinal Tract

A special issue of Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular and Translational Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2024) | Viewed by 11107

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Basic Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Rey Juan Carlos University (URJC), Alcorcón, 28922 Madrid, Spain
Interests: gastrointestinal motility; visceral pain; functional foods; cannabinoids; irritable bowel syndrome; nutraceuticals; enteric nervous system; brain–gut axis
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is a tubular system that comprises different organs from the mouth to anus and is widely known for its key role in food digestion and nutrient absorption. However, it plays a key role in many other essential functions, including acting as a physical barrier and endocrine and immune surveillance. It is a complex system whose wall is home to many different cell types organized in different layers: mucosa, submucosa, muscle layers, and serosa. The GI tract is intrinsically innervated by the enteric nervous system, comprising both neurons and glial cells in two plexuses, submucous and myenteric, with the latter regulating its motor function with the aid of pacemaker cells (interstitial cells of Cajal). Furthermore, it is also connected to the central nervous system through the parasympathetic and sympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system, giving rise to the concept of the “brain–gut axis”, to which the hormonal influences and those of the gut microbiota also contribute. The GI tract and the brain–gut axis are considered essential for homeostasis and many factors may affect them, causing specific symptoms, diseases and disorders that need adequate treatments. In the last few years, the GI tract (and the brain–gut axis) has attracted much attention, and many researchers are looking at it in renewed and pluridisciplinary ways in order to improve the understanding of its physiopathology and to increase the offer of pharmacological tools to treat the conditions that affect it.

Thus, this Special Issue aims to collect high-quality manuscripts (preclinical and translational studies, reviews, systematic reviews, meta-analyses…) focused on the GI tract, its physiology, the diseases and disorders that affect it or affect the brain–gut axis, and, specially, new pharmacological approaches to treat them.

Prof. Dr. Raquel Abalo
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • gastrointestinal (GI) tract
  • brain-gut axis
  • pacemaker cells

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 2343 KiB  
Article
Dopamine Receptors and TAAR1 Functional Interaction Patterns in the Duodenum Are Impaired in Gastrointestinal Disorders
by Anastasia N. Vaganova, Alisa A. Markina, Aleksandr M. Belousov, Karina V. Lenskaia and Raul R. Gainetdinov
Biomedicines 2024, 12(7), 1590; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12071590 - 17 Jul 2024
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Abstract
Currently, there is a growing amount of evidence for the involvement of dopamine receptors and the functionally related trace amine-associated receptor, TAAR1, in upper intestinal function. In the present study, we analyzed their expression in the duodenum using publicly accessible transcriptomic data. We [...] Read more.
Currently, there is a growing amount of evidence for the involvement of dopamine receptors and the functionally related trace amine-associated receptor, TAAR1, in upper intestinal function. In the present study, we analyzed their expression in the duodenum using publicly accessible transcriptomic data. We revealed the expression of DRD1, DRD2, DRD4, DRD5, and TAAR1 genes in different available datasets. The results of the gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis for DRD2 and especially TAAR1 co-expressed genes were consistent with the previously described localization of D2 and TAAR1 in enteric neurons and secretory cells, respectively. Considering that co-expressed genes are more likely to be involved in the same biological processes, we analyzed genes that are co-expressed with TAAR1, DRD2, DRD4, and DRD5 genes in healthy mucosa and duodenal samples from patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) or diabetes-associated gastrointestinal symptoms. Both pathological conditions showed a deregulation of co-expression patterns, with a high discrepancy between DRDs and TAAR1 co-expressed gene sets in normal tissues and patients’ samples and a loss of these genes’ functional similarity. Meanwhile, we discovered specific changes in co-expression patterns that may suggest the involvement of TAAR1 and D5 receptors in pathologic or compensatory processes in FD or diabetes accordingly. Despite our findings suggesting the possible role of TAAR1 and dopamine receptors in functional diseases of the upper intestine, underlying mechanisms need experimental exploration and validation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physiopathology and Pharmacology of the Gastrointestinal Tract)
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Review

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15 pages, 635 KiB  
Review
The Use and Potential Benefits of N-Acetylcysteine in Non-Acetaminophen Acute Liver Failure: An Etiology-Based Review
by Mihai Popescu, Angelica Bratu, Mihaela Agapie, Tudor Borjog, Mugurel Jafal, Romina-Marina Sima and Carmen Orban
Biomedicines 2024, 12(3), 676; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12030676 - 18 Mar 2024
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 9867
Abstract
Acute liver failure represents a life-threatening organ dysfunction with high mortality rates and an urgent need for liver transplantation. The etiology of the disease varies widely depending on various socio-economic factors and is represented mainly by paracetamol overdose and other drug-induced forms of [...] Read more.
Acute liver failure represents a life-threatening organ dysfunction with high mortality rates and an urgent need for liver transplantation. The etiology of the disease varies widely depending on various socio-economic factors and is represented mainly by paracetamol overdose and other drug-induced forms of liver dysfunction in the developed world and by viral hepatitis and mushroom poisoning in less developed countries. Current medical care constitutes either specific antidotes or supportive measures to ensure spontaneous recovery. Although it has been proven to have beneficial effects in paracetamol-induced liver failure, N-acetylcysteine is widely used for all forms of acute liver failure. Despite this, few well-designed studies have been conducted on the assessment of the potential benefits, dose regimens, or route of administration of N-acetylcysteine in non-acetaminophen liver failure. This review aims to summarize the current evidence behind the use of this drug in different forms of liver failure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physiopathology and Pharmacology of the Gastrointestinal Tract)
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