Impaired Duodenal Palmitoylethanolamide Release Underlies Acid-Induced Mast Cell Activation in Functional Dyspepsia
Background & aims: Acid hypersensitivity is claimed to be a symptomatic trigger in functional dyspepsia (FD); however, the neuroimmune pathway(s) and the mediators involved in this process have not been investigated systematically. Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is an endogenous compound, able to modulate nociception and inflammation, but its role in FD has never been assessed.