The Role of Microbiota in the Pathophysiology of Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder, the physiology of which is not well understood. There are multiple factors and pathways involved in the pathophysiology of IBS. Among all, increased epithelial hyperpermeability, inflammation, and altered brain-gut interactions play a major role. These findings could be mediated by gut microbiota. Recent studies have shown that the changes in the composition and function of the gut dysbiosis may be associated with several symptoms in patients with IBS. It has been established that host immune system and its interaction with metabolic products of gut microbiota play an important role in the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, probiotics, prebiotics, and antibiotics have shown some promising results in managing IBS symptoms via modulating the interaction between the above. This paper especially discusses the role of microbiota in the pathophysiology of IBS.