Exercise and the Microbiota-Gut-Brain-Muscle Axis in Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Abstract

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal condition marked by abdominal discomfort and irregular bowel movements. It is frequently associated with psychological symptoms and disturbances in gut microbiota. In recent years, attention has turned to the interconnected nature of the gut, brain, and skeletal muscle, described as the microbiota-gut-brain-muscle (MGB) axis. This review examines how exercise may support the management of IBS by influencing microbial composition, strengthening the intestinal barrier, regulating inflammation, and affecting neural pathways. Moderate aerobic exercise appears to ease gastrointestinal symptoms and enhance mental well-being, partly through immune and hormonal interactions. Current research suggests that mechanisms like myokine release, improved autonomic regulation, and vagal nerve activity may significantly influence IBS-related outcomes. Both controlled trials and real-world patient observations highlight the therapeutic value of tailored exercise interventions. Still, questions remain about how long-term exercise impacts the MGB axis, which warrants deeper exploration through future studies

Keywords

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Exercise
• Skeletal Muscle
• Brain-Gut Axis
• Gastrointestinal Microbiome.

İrritabl Bağırsak Sendromunda Egzersiz ve Mikrobiyota-Bağırsak-Beyin-Kas Aksı

Öz

İrritabl bağırsak sendromu (İBS), karın rahatsızlığı ve düzensiz bağırsak alışkanlıkları ile karakterize edilen yaygın bir fonksiyonel gastrointestinal bozukluktur. Psikolojik semptomlar ve bağırsak mikrobiyotasındaki bozulmalar bu tabloya sıklıkla eşlik eder. Son yıllarda, bağırsak, beyin ve iskelet kası arasındaki karşılıklı ilişkileri tanımlayan mikrobiyota bağırsak–beyin–kas (MGB) aksı kavramı giderek daha fazla dikkat çekmektedir. Bu derlemede, egzersizin mikrobiyal bileşimi etkilemesi, bağırsak bariyerini güçlendirmesi, inflamasyonu düzenlemesi ve sinirsel yollar üzerindeki etkileri üzerinden İBS yönetimindeki potansiyel rolü ele alınmaktadır. Orta şiddette aerobik egzersizin, bağışıklık ve hormonal etkileşimler aracılığıyla gastrointestinal semptomları hafifletip psikolojik iyilik halini artırabileceği, bağışıklık ve hormonal etkileşimler yoluyla kısmen açıklanabilmektedir. Güncel araştırmalar, myokin salınımı, otonom sinir sistemi düzenlenmesinin iyileştirilmesi ve vagus siniri aktivitesi gibi mekanizmaların İBS ile ilişkili sonuçlar üzerinde önemli etkiler oluşturabileceğini göstermektedir. Hem kontrollü klinik çalışmalar hem de gerçek yaşamdan elde edilen hasta gözlemleri, bireyselleştirilmiş egzersiz müdahalelerinin terapötik değerini ortaya koymaktadır. Bununla birlikte, uzun süreli egzersizin MGB aksı üzerindeki etkilerine dair sorular halen yanıtlanmamış olup bu konunun gelecekte daha kapsamlı araştırmalarla ele alınması gerekmektedir

Anahtar Kelimeler

• İrritabl Bağırsak Sendromu
• Egzersiz
• İskelet Kası
• Beyin-Bağırsak Aksı
• Gastrointestinal Mikrobiyota

Kaynakça

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