MECANISMOS NEUROFISIOLÓGICOS Y MUSCULARES EN LA MOTILIDAD GASTROINTESTINAL: IMPLICACIONES EN EL SÍNDROME DEL INTESTINO IRRITABLE: Neurophysiological and muscular mechanisms in gastrointestinal motility: implications for irritable bowel syndrome

Teresa HURTADO LLAURI; Josué Alejandro Contreras Mejía; Luz Angelica Justo Mestanza; Lenin David Lavado Pereda; María Magdiel Mejia Daga; Rubí Nicole Ruiz Taboada

doi:10.57188/ricsa.2025.022

Authors

Teresa HURTADO LLAURI Professional School of Human Medicine, National University of Santa, Chimbote, Peru. https://orcid.org/0009-0002-6875-0572 (unauthenticated)
Josué Alejandro Contreras Mejía Professional School of Human Medicine, National University of Santa, Chimbote, Peru. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1012-3245 (unauthenticated)
Luz Angelica Justo Mestanza Professional School of Human Medicine, National University of Santa, Chimbote, Peru. https://orcid.org/0009-0001-9798-9710 (unauthenticated)
Lenin David Lavado Pereda Professional School of Human Medicine, National University of Santa, Chimbote, Peru. https://orcid.org/0009-0001-4552-5965 (unauthenticated)
María Magdiel Mejia Daga Professional School of Human Medicine, National University of Santa, Chimbote, Peru. https://orcid.org/0009-0003-7640-3033 (unauthenticated)
Rubí Nicole Ruiz Taboada Professional School of Human Medicine, National University of Santa, Chimbote, Peru. https://orcid.org/0009-0009-9539-4391 (unauthenticated)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.57188/ricsa.2025.022

Keywords:

Irritable bowel syndrome, gastrointestinal motility, gut–brain axis, interstitial cells of Cajal, serotonin. Source: DeCS-BIREME

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the neurophysiological and muscular mechanisms involved in the regulation of gastrointestinal motility and their relationship with the pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Material and Methods: A narrative review was conducted through a systematic search in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, SciELO, Redalyc, and Google Scholar databases. Thirty-five articles published between 2015 and 2025 were identified, of which 18 met the inclusion criteria (Spanish or English language, full-text availability, and direct relation to IBS). Data were organized using standardized collection forms and analyzed narratively and descriptively. Results: The findings indicate that dysfunction of the gut–brain axis is the main pathophysiological determinant of IBS, affecting gastrointestinal motility and visceral sensitivity. Alterations in interstitial cells of Cajal and smooth muscle modify contractile patterns, while serotonin dysregulation and intestinal dysbiosis exacerbate visceral hypersensitivity. Neuroimmune–microbial interactions and glial activation contribute to the chronicity and persistence of symptoms. Conclusions: IBS is a multifactorial disorder resulting from the interplay of neurophysiological, muscular, immunological, and microbial dysfunctions. Understanding these mechanisms is essential to develop integrated therapies that modulate the gut–brain axis and restore intestinal homeostasis, thereby improving clinical management and patients’ quality of life.

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Neurophysiological and muscular mechanisms in gastrointestinal motility: implications for irritable bowel syndrome