Neurophysiology Unit, Cardiac Electrophysiology Research and Training Center, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Sriphat Medical Center, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Am J Chin Med. 2021;49(2):285-314. doi: 10.1142/S0192415X21500154. Epub 2021 Feb 20.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract, commonly characterized by abdominal pain or abdominal discomfort. These symptoms can substantially reduce the quality of life and work productivity of the patients. The exact pathogenesis of IBS remains unclear, as it has become apparent that multiple pathways are activated in the condition, including inflammation, immunology, neurology and psychology. Recent evidence has shown that symptoms in IBS are related to the dysfunction of the nervous system, particularly the viscerosomatic pathway, through immune-to-brain communication. The potential link between brain-gut relationships is gut microbiota. The management of IBS mostly focuses on symptomatically treating the patients. There are a wide range of standard treatments, including pharmacological to psychological interventions which are effective in some patients. Therefore, a combination of therapies including both standard and complimentary treatments, including Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) such as acupuncture, have been used in treating IBS patients. Several and clinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of acupuncture in treating IBS. Increasing attention has been paid to research regarding the action mechanisms of acupuncture for IBS. This paper summarizes and discusses the possible mechanisms associated with acupuncture on the pathophysiology of IBS, including gastrointestinal (GI) motility, visceral hypersensitivity, the immune system, neurotransmitters, and the brain-gut axis. The results from and clinical studies have been included. In addition, the effects of acupuncture on gut microbiota in IBS are included and any contradictory findings are deliberated.
肠易激综合征（IBS）是一种胃肠道慢性功能障碍，通常以腹痛或腹部不适为特征。这些症状会极大地降低患者的生活质量和工作效率。IBS 的确切发病机制尚不清楚，因为很明显，在这种情况下会激活多种途径，包括炎症、免疫学、神经病学和心理学。最近的证据表明，IBS 的症状与神经系统功能障碍有关，特别是通过免疫到大脑的通讯与内脏躯体途径有关。脑肠关系的潜在联系是肠道微生物群。IBS 的治疗主要集中在对症治疗患者上。有广泛的标准治疗方法，包括对一些患者有效的药理学和心理干预。因此，包括标准治疗和补充治疗在内的联合治疗，包括针灸等中医治疗，已被用于治疗 IBS 患者。多项和临床研究表明针灸治疗 IBS 的疗效。人们越来越关注针灸治疗 IBS 的作用机制研究。本文总结和讨论了与针灸治疗 IBS 的病理生理学相关的可能机制，包括胃肠道（GI）动力、内脏高敏性、免疫系统、神经递质和脑肠轴。包括研究和临床研究的结果。此外，还包括了针灸对 IBS 中肠道微生物群的影响，并对任何矛盾的发现进行了审议。
