An international team of researchers has uncovered how certain gut cells activate pain signals, which can persist long after the initial cause is gone. This discovery could lead to better treatments for chronic gut pain conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
The study was published in Nature and led by experts from SAHMRI, the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), and Peking University.
The Gut’s Role in Pain Signaling
The study focused on specialized cells in the gut called enterochromaffin (EC) cells, which were found to play a bigger role in pain than previously thought.
These cells detect harmful substances and release large amounts of neurotransmitters—chemicals that affect how nerves send signals to the brain. This process influences pain perception and could be a key factor in long-term gut pain.
Researchers identified two distinct types of EC cells that respond to different gut conditions:
- Villus EC Cells – The Early Warning System
- These cells are located higher in the gut lining and act as the body’s first line of defense.
- When they detect harmful stressors like oxidative damage, they release serotonin and ATP (adenosine triphosphate).
- This triggers nerve pathways that send pain signals to the brain, acting as an alarm system for the body.
“Villus EC cells act like guards, releasing both serotonin and ATP to alert the body that something is wrong in the gut,” explains Professor Stuart Brierley from SAHMRI.
- Crypt EC Cells – The Deep Pain Triggers
- These cells are found deeper in the gut lining and usually help regulate digestion.
- However, when the gut’s protective barrier is weakened, these cells become overly sensitive to irritants.
- Spicy foods, such as wasabi and mustard, can activate them, causing them to release large amounts of serotonin, which then stimulates pain-signaling nerves.
- During gut inflammation, crypt EC cells release excessive serotonin, making pain signals even stronger.
A New Path for Chronic Pain Treatments
This discovery provides a clearer picture of how gut pain is generated and maintained. By understanding how EC cells interact with the nervous system, researchers hope to develop treatments that target pain at its source rather than just managing symptoms.
“If we can regulate how EC cells are activated, it could lead to more effective treatments for chronic gut pain, which affects millions of people worldwide,” says Prof. Brierley.
This study opens new possibilities for developing therapies that block or reduce unnecessary pain signaling from the gut, offering hope for those suffering from IBS, IBD, and other chronic digestive disorders.
For more information about gut health, please see recent studies about the crucial link between diet, gut health, and the immune system and results showing that Low-gluten, high-fiber diets boost gut health and weight loss.
For more information about gut health, please see recent studies about Navigating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with diet and results showing that Mycoprotein in diet may reduce risk of bowel cancer and improve gut health.
The research findings can be found in Nature.
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