Collaborative Union of Research Expertise (CURE): Investigating the oxytocin receptor mechanism in chronic visceral pain (CVP) suppression
Lead Research Organisation:
UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE
Abstract
We sense our environment via nerves in our tissues that send signals to our spinal cord and brain. This network of nerves allows us to detect normal everyday stimuli. However, they can also act like an alarm, alerting us to stimuli that can, or is, harming us.
Our stomach and intestines contain a variety of nerves whose function it is to sense our internal environment. These nerve networks tell us when we’re hungry or thirsty, or when we need to go to the toilet. However, these networks are also crucial in telling us when something is wrong, like when we have food poisoning or tissue damage within our gut. For patients with IBS these ‘alarm’ networks are activated all the time.
Based on our, and others, research we believe IBS and its symptoms are caused by problems in the connection between the gut, the brain, and the bacteria living in the gut (called the microbiome-gut-brain axis). There are various steps along the pathway where problems can occur, this includes:
1) The type of bacteria (microbiome) living in our gut, with too many bad types and too few good types.
2) The gut bacteria producing too many harmful by-products.
3) The gut barrier not working as well as it should, leading to a ‘leaky gut’.
4) Nerves in the gut being hyperactive to stimuli.
5) Nerve hyperactivity leading to more pain signals being sent to the spinal cord and the brain.
6) Hyperactive nerve pathways causing anxiety, depression and pain in other regions of the body.
We will test if regular use of our new drug OTR-26 (an improved, more stable form of the naturally-occurring hormone, oxytocin) might help fix all of these problems, thereby reducing pain, and improving related issues like anxiety and depression.
As OTR-26 is very stable (lasting 24 hours), and can be taken by mouth, we can test these questions for the first time. If successful, this research could lead to a new, safe, easy-to-take treatment that works well for people suffering from IBS.
Our stomach and intestines contain a variety of nerves whose function it is to sense our internal environment. These nerve networks tell us when we’re hungry or thirsty, or when we need to go to the toilet. However, these networks are also crucial in telling us when something is wrong, like when we have food poisoning or tissue damage within our gut. For patients with IBS these ‘alarm’ networks are activated all the time.
Based on our, and others, research we believe IBS and its symptoms are caused by problems in the connection between the gut, the brain, and the bacteria living in the gut (called the microbiome-gut-brain axis). There are various steps along the pathway where problems can occur, this includes:
1) The type of bacteria (microbiome) living in our gut, with too many bad types and too few good types.
2) The gut bacteria producing too many harmful by-products.
3) The gut barrier not working as well as it should, leading to a ‘leaky gut’.
4) Nerves in the gut being hyperactive to stimuli.
5) Nerve hyperactivity leading to more pain signals being sent to the spinal cord and the brain.
6) Hyperactive nerve pathways causing anxiety, depression and pain in other regions of the body.
We will test if regular use of our new drug OTR-26 (an improved, more stable form of the naturally-occurring hormone, oxytocin) might help fix all of these problems, thereby reducing pain, and improving related issues like anxiety and depression.
As OTR-26 is very stable (lasting 24 hours), and can be taken by mouth, we can test these questions for the first time. If successful, this research could lead to a new, safe, easy-to-take treatment that works well for people suffering from IBS.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| David Bulmer (Principal Investigator) |