Ion Channels Involved in the Inflammatory Processes of the Digestive System

Inflammation is a well regulated process, which has many common but also specific characteristics in each tissue affected. In the gastrointestinal tract (GI), inflammation is related to some detrimental conditions, such as inflammatory bowel diseases, colitis and even carcinogenesis. To prevent inflammation, both the transport and barrier properties of the GI are closely regulated. Ion channels, as principal modulators of the GI barrier function, operate either as primary sensors of external stimuli, or as ion transporters. Therefore, the function of these proteins enables the digestive system to survey its physical and chemical environment in order to circumvent the effects of the inflammatory processes. Therapeutic interventions that modulate the effects on each ion channel address either affected ion transport systems or molecules that modulate the expression and function of these proteins. This review discusses recent findings that identify the role of ion channels in inflammatory processes of GI and brings some consideration about putative therapeutic applications of their ligands.