Functional Mucosal Syndrome

In the GI tract, the mucosa is not only the interface of digestion of ingested food or products, it is also the interface of defense and surveillance against potentially harmful materials or agents (17). Just as it is at the mucosal where food is dissembled and transported into the blood stream, so too signals from luminal contents of the gut are translated. The signal is transmitted through a series of neuro-immune messengers and cells to targets within the GI tract. These targets are neuromuscular junctions, neuro-immune complexes, muscular components of the intestinal wall, membrane permeability of capillary conduits and the like (17,18,19,20,21). Once activated these targets set in motion, symptoms and signs that lead to GI dysfunction and a call to the local veterinarian.   Mucosal disruptions such as irritation, inflammation, erosions or ulcerations lead to hypersecretion syndromes, dysmotility, colic, spasms, distention, ileus, diarrhea and vomiting. This collection of symptom and signs is the GI tract common way to respond to specific diseases and infections. We call it FMS or functional mucosal syndrome or symptomatic mucosal disruption syndrome.

Functional Mucosal Syndrome, or symptomatic disruption of the mucosa,  is either visually identified  or suspected by licensed veterinarians in companion animals who present with symptom syndromes of colic, ileus, distention, poor appetite and diarrhea in horses or symptom syndromes of vomiting, poor appetite, ileus, distention and diarrhea in dogs and cats.  The exact diagnosis and treatment may vary but the interface between the disease and the animal symptom/sign complex is some form of  mucosal disruption, irritation, inflammation, erosion or ulceration.  While specific disease intervention are needed for specific disease states, the secondary mucosal symptoms and signs can be treated with Veterinary Gastrafate.  Gastrafate coats, cover, protects and help restore the integrity of the disrupted mucosa.

REFERENCES: (17) Holtzer P Michil T, Danzer M et al: Surveillance of the gastrointestinal mucosa by sensory neurons. J Phys Pharm 52: 505-521, 2001 (18) Dray A. Inflammatory mediators of pain. Brit J Anaesth 75:125-131, 1995 (19)  Holzer P. Gastrointestinal pain in functional bowel disorders: sensory neurons as novel drug targets. Exper Opin Ther Targets 8:107-123, 2004 (20) Gershon MD. The second brain. Harper Collins, New York, 1998. (21) Gershon MD. Nerves, reflexes, and the enteric nervous system. Pathogenesis of the irritable bowel syndrome. J Clin Gastroenterol 39: S184-S193, 2005