Chronic abdominal pain: Histamine may also play a role
Created: 09/10/2022, 3:00 p.m
By: Laura Knops
A healthy gut is closely related to a healthy body.
A new study now shows what influence the microbiome can have on chronic pain.
A healthy intestinal flora consists of many different strains of bacteria.
If these are in balance, the microbiome not only ensures a strong immune system, but also has a positive influence on mood, well-being and weight.
However, if the intestinal flora is disturbed, this can also influence the development of diseases.
Certain bacteria in the gut could even be responsible for conditions like chronic abdominal pain.
Scientists from McMaster University in Canada have now found this out in a recent study.
The results were published in the journal Science Translational Medicine.
Chronic abdominal pain: Histamine may also play a role
Researchers have been investigating the interaction between intestinal flora and health for several years.
However, the effects of the microbiome are not only associated with disorders in the digestive tract.
In addition, the intestines seem to play an important role in well-being.
The state of the intestinal flora is linked to diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome or rheumatic diseases.
Further studies have also shown that the intestinal bacteria also influence the psyche and behavior via the gut-brain axis.
Certain bacteria in the intestine could be responsible for the production of histamine (symbol image).
© Science Photo Library / Imago
Diseases in the digestive tract in particular could be closely related to a disturbed intestinal flora.
Because the microbiome contains various bacteria that play an important role in the function of the intestine.
However, although chronic abdominal pain and irritable bowel syndrome have already been linked to changes in the intestinal flora, the underlying mechanisms are very difficult to determine.
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Chronic abdominal pain: Elevated histamine levels in inflammation
As part of the current study, the researchers working with Giada de Palma are trying to get to the bottom of these mechanisms.
To do this, they first analyzed the stool samples from Canadian and American patients for specific markers.
The scientists found out that many of the patients had high histamine levels in their stool for months.
According to study author Premsyl Bercik, when those affected reported severe pain, the histamine levels also increased significantly.
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In further experiments on mice, the research team found that the messenger substance histamine is mainly produced by the bacterium Klebsiella aerogenes.
This bacterium appears to be able to convert dietary histidine - an essential amino acid found in animal and vegetable protein - into histamine.
According to the researchers, this bacterial strain could also be detected in stool samples from patients with irritable bowel syndrome.
According to the scientists, the bacterial histamine activates the immune system in the intestine via so-called histamine-4 receptors.
These receptors, in turn, pull immunological mast cells into the intestine, which results in the production of even more histamine, but also other pain mediators - substances that the body releases in increased amounts as part of an inflammation.
Chronic abdominal pain: Special diet could provide relief
Since the mechanisms are influenced by diet, the researchers put the mice on a special diet.
With the administration of reduced fermentable carbohydrates, a decrease in the mast cells responsible for histamine production in the large intestine could be determined.
Previous studies have already shown that a restricted intake of fermentable carbohydrates relieves abdominal pain.
"Now that we know how histamine is produced in the gut, we can identify and develop therapies that target the histamine-producing bacteria," study author Giada de Palma said in a press release.
With a targeted diet, abdominal pain could not only be alleviated, but possibly even prevented.
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. In no way does it replace a visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, our editors are not allowed to answer individual questions about clinical pictures.
