Cystic Fibrosis in the Intestine and the Influence on Digestion

Abstract

Anything that affects the absorption of nutrients and intestinal function will invariably affect the physical well-being or the health status of an individual. Cystic fibrosis is a disease condition that is autosomal recessive and affects organs that have epithelia including the gastrointestinal tract of which the intestine is part, and is the one that is primarily affected. The major aberration responsible for it is mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator gene. Phenotypical evidence of cystic fibrosis in the intestine includes obstruction, microbial dysbiosis, inflammation, acidity in the intestinal tract, malnutrition, immune dysfunction, intestinal dysmotility, appendiceal aberrations and intussusception. All these manifestations result in maldigestion and malabsorption of lipid, protein and carbohydrate in the intestine. The effect of cystic fibrosis on the digestion of certain micronutrients was also reported. In this review, the pathophysiology, manifestations of cystic fibrosis in the gastrointestinal tract with emphasis on the small intestine, and the effects on digestion of macronutrients and micronutrients would be discussed.