Scientists from Flinders University have discovered that there is a receptor responsible for touch and temperature in the human colon that could open a new avenue for the treatment of chronic pain associated with gastrointestinal disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome. Research published in the journal Neuron.
In 2021, the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Ardem Pataputyan, who discovered the Piezo2 receptor, which is responsible for the perception of touch on the skin as well as the perception of body position in space. In a new study, scientists found this receptor in the human colon. It was also responsible for the occurrence of pain associated with the digestive tract.
Chronic pain in internal organs such as the intestines or bladder is difficult to treat. In such cases, opiates are often used, which are addictive and have many side effects. A lack of understanding of how sensory nerves transmit pain from the gut to the brain hinders the development of gut pain relievers.
The scientists’ discovery is likely to lead to the development of a treatment for visceral pain common in irritable bowel syndrome, endometriosis, or abdominal cancer.