Cited by 615Gastrointestinal motility and disordersMast cells and histamineInflammatory Bowel Disease

Psychological stress and corticotropin-releasing hormone increase intestinal permeability in humans by a mast cell-dependent mechanism

Vanuytsel, Tim, van Wanrooy, Sander, Vanheel, Hanne, Vanormelingen, Christophe, Verschueren, Sofie, Houben, Els, Salim Rasoel, Shadea, Tόth, Joran +6 more·2014·Gut

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Intestinal permeability and psychological stress have been implicated in the pathophysiology of IBD and IBS. Studies in animals suggest that stress increases permeability via corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)-mediated mast cell activation. Our aim was to investigate the effect of stress on intestinal permeability in humans and its underlying mechanisms. DESIGN: Small intestinal permeability was quantified by a 2 h lactulose-mannitol urinary excretion test. In a first study, 23 healthy volunteers were subjected to four different conditions: control; indomethacin; public speech and anticipation of electroshocks. In a second study, five test conditions were investigated in 13 volunteers: control; after pretreatment with disodium cromoglycate (DSCG); administration of CRH; DSCG+CRH and DSCG+public speech. RESULTS: Indomethacin, as a positive comparator (0.071±0.040 vs 0.030±0.022; p<0.0001), and public speech (0.059±0.040; p<0.01), but not the shock protocol increased intestinal permeability. Similarly, salivary cortisol was only increased after public speech. Subgroup analysis demonstrated that the effect of public speech on permeability was only present in subjects with a significant elevation of cortisol. CRH increased the lactulose-mannitol ratio (0.042±0.021 vs 0.028±0.009; p=0.02), which was inhibited by the mast cell stabiliser DSCG. Finally, intestinal permeability was unaltered by public speech with DSCG pretreatment. CONCLUSIONS: Acute psychological stress increases small intestinal permeability in humans. Peripheral CRH reproduces the effect of stress and DSCG blocks the effect of both stress and CRH, suggesting the involvement of mast cells. These findings provide new insight into the complex interplay between the central nervous system and GI function in man.

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Crossref · 10.1136/gutjnl-2013-305690

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  • The mechanism of stress-induced increased intestinal permeability appears to rely on intestinal mast cells because it can be abrogated by a mast cell stabilizer.

    “the mechanism appears to rely on intestinal mast cells because it can be abrogated by a mast cell stabilizer (28).”
  • Exogenous CRF, as well as psychological stress, can increase the ratio of urine excretion rates of milk fructose and mannitol, showing signs of increased permeability in the small intestine.

    “The results showed that exogenous CRF, as well as psychological stress, can increase the ratio of urine excretion rates of milk fructose and mannitol, showing signs of increased permeability in the small intestine.”
  • Psychological pressure induced by public speaking enhances gut permeability only in subjects with significantly elevated cortisol levels.

    “The pressure induced by public speaking enhanced the permeability of the gut only in subjects with significantly elevated cortisol levels, suggesting that HPA axis activation is affected.”

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Authors
Vanuytsel, T., van Wanrooy, S., Vanheel, H., Vanormelingen, C., Verschueren, S., Houben, E., Salim Rasoel, S., Tόth, J., Holvoet, L., Farré, R., Van Oudenhove, L., Boeckxstaens, G., Verbeke, K., & Tack, J.
Affiliations
  • Universitair Ziekenhuis Leuven (BE)
  • Translational Research Center for Gastrointestinal Disorders (TARGID), University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
  • KU Leuven (BE)
Corresponding author
Tack, Jan
Venue
Gut
Publisher
BMJ
Published
2013-10-23
Volume
63
Issue
8
Pages
1293-1299
ISSN
  • 0017-5749 (ISSN-L)
  • 1468-3288
OpenAlex
W2152336072
Cited by
615
References
57
Citations by year
2026: 37 · 2025: 62 · 2024: 57 · 2023: 66 · 2022: 64 · 2021: 61 · 2020: 85 · 2019: 45 · 2018: 40 · 2017: 31 · 2016: 25 · 2015: 22 · 2014: 16 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 1
FWCI
20.44
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Gut (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • HighWire Press Open Archive (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Gastroenterology › Gastrointestinal motility and disorders
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Mast cells and histamine
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Keywords
psychological stress, corticotropin-releasing factor, intestinal permeability, mast cells, mast cell stabilizers, disodium cromoglycate, lactulose/mannitol test, salivary cortisol, indomethacin, public speaking, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, gut-brain axis
MeSH terms
Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone, Cromolyn Sodium, Electroshock, Female, Humans, Hydrocortisone, Indomethacin, Intestine, Small, Lactulose, Male, Mannitol, Mast Cells, Permeability, Saliva, Speech, Stress, Psychological, Young Adult

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