Skip to main content

Physiology and Pathophysiology of the Digestive Tract

The group of Physiology and Pathophysiology of the Digestive Tract focuses its research activity on the functioning of the digestive tract as a whole, including the functions of secretion, motility, absorption and barrier both in healthy individuals and in the presence of disease. The application of knowledge to clinical practice is a priority for the group.

Research in digestive motility encompasses disorders of visceral sensitivity, the brain-gut axis and intestinal allergy. Research on inflammation also includes the pancreas.

We have also launched a cross-sectional research program that focuses on the role of the gut microbiota in inflammation and gut function. 

 

Team

María Antolín Mate

María Antolín Mate

Physiology and Pathophysiology of the Digestive Tract
Read more
Maria Vicario Perez

Maria Vicario Perez

Main researcher
Physiology and Pathophysiology of the Digestive Tract
Read more
Matteo Pusceddu

Matteo Pusceddu

Postdoctoral researcher
Physiology and Pathophysiology of the Digestive Tract
Read more
Natalia Borruel Sainz

Natalia Borruel Sainz

Physiology and Pathophysiology of the Digestive Tract
Read more
Ronald Benjamin Llerena Castro

Ronald Benjamin Llerena Castro

Predoctoral researcher
Physiology and Pathophysiology of the Digestive Tract
Read more
Virginia Robles Alonso

Virginia Robles Alonso

Predoctoral researcher
Physiology and Pathophysiology of the Digestive Tract
Read more
María Antolín Mate

María Antolín Mate

Physiology and Pathophysiology of the Digestive Tract
Read more
Maria Vicario Perez

Maria Vicario Perez

Main researcher
Physiology and Pathophysiology of the Digestive Tract
Read more
Matteo Pusceddu

Matteo Pusceddu

Postdoctoral researcher
Physiology and Pathophysiology of the Digestive Tract
Read more
Natalia Borruel Sainz

Natalia Borruel Sainz

Physiology and Pathophysiology of the Digestive Tract
Read more
Ronald Benjamin Llerena Castro

Ronald Benjamin Llerena Castro

Predoctoral researcher
Physiology and Pathophysiology of the Digestive Tract
Read more
Virginia Robles Alonso

Virginia Robles Alonso

Predoctoral researcher
Physiology and Pathophysiology of the Digestive Tract
Read more

Publications

Genetics and natural history of non-pancreatectomised patients with congenital hyperinsulinism due to variants in ABCC8.

PMID: 37216904
Journal: JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM
Year: 2023
Reference: J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2023 May 22:dgad280. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgad280.
Impact factor:
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Antolin, Maria; Baz-Redon, Noelia; Caimari, Maria; Camats-Tarruella, Nuria; Campos, Ariadna; Clemente, Maria; Cobo, Patricia; Fernandez-Cancio, Monica; Garcia-Arumi, Elena; Masas, Miriam et al.
DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgad280

Epstein-Barr virus associated smooth-muscle tumor.

PMID: 37121854
Journal: MEDICINA CLINICA
Year: 2023
Reference: Med Clin (Barc). 2023 Apr 28:S0025-7753(23)00180-X. doi: 10.1016/j.medcli.2023.03.030.
Impact factor:
Publication type: Letter or abstract
Authors: Aguilar, Anna; Monforte, Arnau; Silva, Tulio Mateo et al.
DOI: 10.1016/j.medcli.2023.03.030

Training and competence in Digestive Endoscopy: Statement Position Paper from the Spanish Society of Digestive Diseases.

PMID: 37114390
Journal: REVISTA ESPANOLA DE ENFERMEDADES DIGESTIVAS
Year: 2023
Reference: Rev Esp Enferm Dig. 2023 Apr 28;115:223-224. doi: 10.17235/reed.2023.9692/2023.
Impact factor:
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Albillos Martinez, Agustin; Bejarano Garcia, Ana; Casado Martin, Marta; Ceballos Santos, Daniel; Fernandez Vazquez, Inmaculada; Gomez Rodriguez, Rafael Angel; Iglesias Garcia, Julio; Malagelada Prats, Carolina; Orive Calzada, Aitor et al.
DOI: 10.17235/reed.2023.9692/2023

ACT-Discover: identifying karyotype heterogeneity in pancreatic cancer evolution using ctDNA.

PMID: 37081523
Journal: Genome Medicine
Year: 2023
Reference: Genome Med. 2023 Apr 20;15(1):27. doi: 10.1186/s13073-023-01171-w.
Impact factor:
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Alonso, Carolina; Arenillas, Carlota; Black, James R M; Feliu, Jaime; Garcia-Carbonero, Rocio; Guillen, Carmen; Hidalgo, Manuel; Huebner, Ariana; Juez, Ignacio; Macarulla, Teresa et al.
DOI: 10.1186/s13073-023-01171-w

Severity of gastrointestinal bleeding is similar between patients receiving direct oral anticoagulants or vitamin K antagonists.

PMID: 35086339
Journal: REVISTA ESPANOLA DE ENFERMEDADES DIGESTIVAS
Year: 2022
Reference: Rev Esp Enferm Dig. 2022 Jan 28. doi: 10.17235/reed.2022.8388/2021.
Impact factor: 2.086
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Alcala-Gonzalez, Luis, Cortina, Vicente, Jimenez, Alba, Cerda, Maria, Johansson, Erik, Olivera, Pavel, Santamaria, Amparo, Alonso-Cotoner, Carmen, Jimenez, Cesar et al.
DOI: 10.17235/reed.2022.8388/2021

[Symbiosis in the human gastrointestinal tract].

PMID: 32993305
Journal: Nutricion Hospitalaria
Year: 2021
Reference: Nutr Hosp. 2021 Jan 13;37(Spec No2):34-37. doi: 10.20960/nh.03354.
Impact factor: 1.057
Publication type: Letter or abstract
Authors: Guarner, Francisco et al.
DOI: 10.20960/nh.03354

Deciphering the complex interplay between pancreatic cancer, diabetes mellitus subtypes and obesity/BMI through causal inference and mediation analyses.

PMID: 32409590
Journal: GUT
Year: 2021
Reference: Gut. 2021 Feb;70(2):319-329. doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2019-319990. Epub 2020 May 14.
Impact factor: 23.059
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Tardon, Adonina, Molina-Montes, Esther, Coscia, Claudia, Gomez-Rubio, Paulina, Fernandez, Alba, Boenink, Rianne, Rava, Marta, Marquez, Mirari, Molero, Xavier, Lohr, Matthias et al.
DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2019-319990

Plasma protein biomarkers for early detection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

PMID: 33411965
Journal: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER
Year: 2021
Reference: Int J Cancer. 2021 Apr 15;148(8):2048-2058. doi: 10.1002/ijc.33464. Epub 2021 Jan 15.
Impact factor: 7.396
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Nilsson, Magnus, Evangelina Lopez de Maturana, Maria, Estudillo Garcia, Lidia, Renz, Harald, Carrato, Alfredo, Molero, Xavier, Real, Francisco X, Malats, Nuria, Ye, Weimin, Lohr, Matthias et al.
DOI: 10.1002/ijc.33464

Pancreatic cancer risk in relation to lifetime smoking patterns, tobacco type, and dose-response relationships.

PMID: 32051190
Journal: CANCER EPIDEMIOLOGY BIOMARKERS & PREVENTION
Year: 2020
Reference: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2020 May;29(5):1009-1018. doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-19-1027. Epub 2020 Feb 12.
Impact factor: 4.344
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Barbera, Victor M, Molina-Montes, Esther, Van Hoogstraten, Lisa, Gomez-Rubio, Paulina, Lohr, Matthias, Sharp, Linda, Molero, Xavier, Marquez, Mirari, Michalski, Christoph W, Farre, Antoni et al.
DOI: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-19-1027

Congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunts (Abernethy malformation): An international observational study.

PMID: 31211875
Journal: HEPATOLOGY
Year: 2020
Reference: Hepatology. 2020 Feb;71(2):658-669. doi: 10.1002/hep.30817. Epub 2019 Aug 19.
Impact factor: 14.679
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Tellez, Luis, Martinez, Javier, Alvarez-Navascues, Carmen, Fraile, Miguel, Procopet, Bogdan, Piscaglia, Fabio, de Koning, Barbara, Llop, Elba, Romero Cristobal, Mario, Tjwa, Eric et al.
DOI: 10.1002/hep.30817

European society of neurogastroenterology and motility guidelines on functional constipation in adults.

PMID: 31756783
Journal: NEUROGASTROENTEROLOGY AND MOTILITY
Year: 2020
Reference: Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2020 Feb;32(2):e13762. doi: 10.1111/nmo.13762. Epub 2019 Nov 22.
Impact factor: 2.946
Publication type: Review in international publication
Authors: Mendive, Juan-Manuel, Pfeifer, Johann, Rogler, Gerhard, Scott, S Mark, Simren, Magnus, Whorwell, Peter, Layer, Peter, Hungin, A Pali S, Gourcerol, Guillaume, Ducrotte, Philippe et al.
DOI: 10.1111/nmo.13762

A Fermented Milk Product with B. Lactis CNCM I-2494 and Lactic Acid Bacteria Improves Gastrointestinal Comfort in Response to a Challenge Diet Rich in Fermentable Residues in Healthy Subjects.

PMID: 31991794
Journal: Nutrients
Year: 2020
Reference: Nutrients. 2020 Jan 25;12(2). pii: nu12020320. doi: 10.3390/nu12020320.
Impact factor: 4.546
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Cotillard, Aurelie, Barba, Elizabeth, Mego, Marianela, Nieto Ruiz, Adoracion, Hernandez-Palet, Laura, Dornic, Quentin, Faurie, Jean-Michel, Butler, John, Merino, Xavi, Lobo, Beatriz et al.
DOI: 10.3390/nu12020320

Resection of pancreatic cancer in Europe and USA: an international large-scale study highlighting large variations.

PMID: 29158237
Journal: GUT
Year: 2019
Reference: Gut. 2019 Jan;68(1):130-139. doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2017-314828. Epub 2017 Nov 20.
Impact factor: 17.943
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Molina-Montes, Esther, Babaei, Masoud, van der Geest, Lydia, Lemmens, Valery, Van Eycken, Liesbet, De Schutter, Harlinde, Johannesen, Tom B, Fristrup, Claus W, Mortensen, Michael B, Primic-Zakelj, Maja et al.
DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2017-314828

Norfloxacin is more effective than Rifaximin in avoiding bacterial translocation in an animal model of cirrhosis.

PMID: 28834270
Journal: LIVER INTERNATIONAL
Year: 2018
Reference: Liver Int. 2018 Feb;38(2):295-302. doi: 10.1111/liv.13551. Epub 2017 Sep 13.
Impact factor: 4.5
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Gomez-Hurtado, Isabel, Gimenez, Paula, Garcia, Irma, Zapater, Pedro, Frances, Ruben, Gonzalez-Navajas, Jose Manuel, Manichahn, Chaysavanh, Ramos, Jose Manuel, Bellot, Pablo, Guarner, Francisco et al.
DOI: 10.1111/liv.13551

Education of the postprandial experience by a sensory-cognitive intervention.

PMID: 28836716
Journal: NEUROGASTROENTEROLOGY AND MOTILITY
Year: 2018
Reference: Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2018 Feb;30(2). doi: 10.1111/nmo.13197. Epub 2017 Aug 24.
Impact factor: 3.842
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Azpiroz, F, Pribic, T, Vilaseca, H, Nieto, A, Hernandez, L, Malagelada, C, Accarino, A, Roca, J et al.
DOI: 10.1111/nmo.13197

Effects of meal palatability on postprandial sensations.

PMID: 29105893
Journal: NEUROGASTROENTEROLOGY AND MOTILITY
Year: 2018
Reference: Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2018 Feb;30(2). doi: 10.1111/nmo.13248. Epub 2017 Nov 6.
Impact factor: 3.842
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Nieto, A, Malagelada, C, Accarino, A, Azpiroz, F, Hernandez, L, Pribic, T et al.
DOI: 10.1111/nmo.13248

Oleic acid chlorohydrin, a new early biomarker for the prediction of acute pancreatitis severity in humans.

PMID: 29330618
Journal: Annals of Intensive Care
Year: 2018
Reference: Ann Intensive Care. 2018 Jan 9;8(1):1. doi: 10.1186/s13613-017-0346-6.
Impact factor: 3.771
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: de-Madaria, Enrique, Molero, Xavier, Bonjoch, Laia, Casas, Josefina, Cardenas-Jaen, Karina, Montenegro, Andrea, Closa, Daniel et al.
DOI: 10.1186/s13613-017-0346-6

A microbial signature for Crohn's disease.

PMID: 28179361
Journal: GUT
Year: 2017
Reference: Gut. 2017 May;66(5):813-822. doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2016-313235. Epub 2017 Feb 7.
Impact factor: 16.658
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Machiels, Kathleen, Vermeire, Severine, Sokol, Harry, Guarner, Francisco, Manichanh, Chaysavanh, Sarrabayrouse, Guillaume, Varela, Encarna, Santiago, Alba, Pascal, Victoria, Pozuelo, Marta et al.
DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2016-313235

P423 Early improvement in quality of life in patients with luminal Crohn's disease treated with adalimumab. Data from RAPIDA trial.

PMID: 28175097
Journal: Journal of Crohns & Colitis
Year: 2017
Reference: J Crohns Colitis. 2017 Feb 1;11(suppl_1):S291-S292. doi: 10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjx002.548.
Impact factor: 5.813
Publication type: Letter or abstract
Authors: Casellas, F, Barreiro-de Acosta, M, Esteve, M, Castro-Laria, L, Vicente, R, Ceballos, D, Echarri, A, Martin-Arranz, M D, Busquets, D, Llaomicron, J et al.
DOI: 10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjx002.548

The Mexican consensus on probiotics in gastroenterology.

PMID: 28104319
Journal: Revista de gastroenterologia de Mexico
Year: 2017
Reference: Rev Gastroenterol Mex. 2017 Apr - Jun;82(2):156-178. doi: 10.1016/j.rgmx.2016.08.004. Epub 2017 Jan 16.
Impact factor: 0
Publication type: Paper in national publication
Authors: Murata, C, Valdovinos, M A, Montijo, E, Abreu, A T, Heller, S, Gonzalez-Garay, A, Bacarreza, D, Bielsa-Fernandez, M, Bojorquez-Ramos, M C, Bosques-Padilla, F et al.
DOI: 10.1016/j.rgmx.2016.08.004

Effect Of Prucalopride on Intestinal Gas Tolerance in Patients With Functional Bowel Disorders and Constipation.

PMID: 28090679
Journal: JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY
Year: 2017
Reference: J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2017 Aug;32(8):1457-1462. doi: 10.1111/jgh.13733.
Impact factor: 3.452
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Nieto, Adoracion, Malagelada, Carolina, Santos, Javier, Malagelada, Juan-R, Azpiroz, Fernando, Accarino, Anna, Mendez, Sara et al.
DOI: 10.1111/jgh.13733

Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Biofeedback for the Treatment of Rumination.

PMID: 27185077
Journal: AMERICAN JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY
Year: 2016
Reference: Am J Gastroenterol. 2016 Jul;111(7):1007-13. doi: 10.1038/ajg.2016.197. Epub 2016 May 17.
Impact factor: 10.383
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Barba, Elizabeth, Accarino, Anna, Soldevilla, Alfredo, Malagelada, Juan-R, Azpiroz, Fernando et al.
DOI: 10.1038/ajg.2016.197

Fundamentals of Neurogastroenterology: Physiology/Motility - Sensation.

PMID: 27144619
Journal: GASTROENTEROLOGY
Year: 2016
Reference: Gastroenterology. 2016 Feb 18. pii: S0016-5085(16)00221-3. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2016.02.030.
Impact factor: 18.187
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Boeckxstaens, Guy, Camilleri, Michael, Sifrim, Daniel, Houghton, Lesley A, Elsenbruch, Sigrid, Lindberg, Greger, Azpiroz, Fernando, Parkman, Henry P et al.
DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2016.02.030

Alteration of the serum microbiome composition in cirrhotic patients with ascites.

PMID: 27112233
Journal: Scientific Reports
Year: 2016
Reference: Sci Rep. 2016 Apr 26;6:25001. doi: 10.1038/srep25001.
Impact factor: 5.228
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Gely, Cristina, Santiago, Alba, Pozuelo, Marta, Poca, Maria, Roman, Eva, Campos, David, Sarrabayrouse, Guillaume, Vidal, Silvia, Alvarado-Tapias, Edilmar, Guarner, Francisco et al.
DOI: 10.1038/srep25001

Gut Microbiota Linked to Sexual Preference and HIV Infection.

PMID: 27077120
Journal: EBioMedicine
Year: 2016
Reference: EBioMedicine. 2016 Jan 28;5:135-46. doi: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2016.01.032. eCollection 2016 Mar.
Impact factor: 0
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Noguera-Julian, Marc, Rocafort, Muntsa, Guillen, Yolanda, Rivera, Javier, Casadella, Maria, Nowak, Piotr, Hildebrand, Falk, Zeller, Georg, Parera, Mariona, Bellido, Rocio et al.
DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2016.01.032

Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy.

PMID: 26264513
Journal: BRAIN
Year: 2015
Reference: Brain. 2015 Oct;138(Pt 10):2847-58. doi: 10.1093/brain/awv226. Epub 2015 Aug 10.
Impact factor: 9.196
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Accarino, Anna, Ferra, Christelle, Illa, Isabel, Beguin, Yves, Bakker, Jaap A, Boelens, Jaap J, de Coo, Irenaeus F M, Fay, Keith, Sue, Carolyn M, Nachbaur, David et al.
DOI: 10.1093/brain/awv226

Mnk1 is a novel acinar cell-specific kinase required for exocrine pancreatic secretion and response to pancreatitis in mice.

PMID: 25037190
Journal: GUT
Year: 2015
Reference: Gut. 2015 Jun;64(6):937-47. doi: 10.1136/gutjnl-2013-306068. Epub 2014 Jul 18.
Impact factor: 14.66
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Cendrowski, Jaroslaw, Lobo, Victor J Sanchez-Arevalo, Sendler, Matthias, Salas, Antonio, Kuhn, Jens-Peter, Molero, Xavier, Fukunaga, Rikiro, Mayerle, Julia, Lerch, Markus M, Real, Francisco X et al.
DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2013-306068

Role of Corticotropin-releasing Factor in Gastrointestinal Permeability.

PMID: 25537677
Journal: Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility
Year: 2015
Reference: J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2015 Jan 1;21(1):33-50. doi: 10.5056/jnm14084.
Impact factor: 2.296
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Santos, Javier, Rodino-Janeiro, Bruno K, Alonso-Cotoner, Carmen, Pigrau, Marc, Lobo, Beatriz, Vicario, Maria et al.
DOI: 10.5056/jnm14084

[Assessment and treatment of acute pancreatitis. Position document of the Catalan Society of Gastroenterology, Catalan Society of Surgery and Catalan Society of the Pancreas.]

PMID: 25458544
Journal: Gastroenterologia y Hepatologia
Year: 2015
Reference: Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2015 Feb;38(2):82-96. doi: 10.1016/j.gastrohep.2014.09.006. Epub 2014 Nov 6.
Impact factor: 0.838
Publication type: Paper in national publication
Authors: Gines, Angels, Gornals, Joan, Gruartmoner, Guillem, Ilzarbe, Lucas, Merino, Xavier, Oms, Lluis, Puig, Ignasi, Puig-Divi, Valenti, Vaquero, Eva, Vida, Francesc et al.
DOI: 10.1016/j.gastrohep.2014.09.006

Abdominal accommodation induced by meal ingestion: differential responses to gastric and colonic volume loads.

PMID: 23360536
Journal: NEUROGASTROENTEROLOGY AND MOTILITY
Year: 2013
Reference: Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2013 Apr;25(4):339-e253. doi: 10.1111/nmo.12068. Epub 2013 Jan 29.
Impact factor: 2.935
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Burri, E, Cisternas, D, Villoria, A, Accarino, A, Soldevilla, A, Malagelada, J-R, Azpiroz, F et al.
DOI: 10.1111/nmo.12068

Understanding the microbiota in the midst of Renaissance architecture and olive groves.

PMID: 23334821
Journal: NATURE IMMUNOLOGY
Year: 2013
Reference: Nat Immunol. 2013 Feb;14(2):101-5. doi: 10.1038/ni.2512.
Impact factor: 26.199
Publication type: Paper in international publication
Authors: Guarner, Francisco, Hooper, Lora V, Nunez, Gabriel et al.
DOI: 10.1038/ni.2512

Dietary and lifestyle factors in functional dyspepsia.

PMID: 23296252
Journal: Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Year: 2013
Reference: Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2013 Mar;10(3):150-7. doi: 10.1038/nrgastro.2012.246. Epub 2013 Jan 8.
Impact factor: 10.426
Publication type: Review in international publication
Authors: Feinle-Bisset, Christine, Azpiroz, Fernando et al.
DOI: 10.1038/nrgastro.2012.246

Gut microbiota and gastrointestinal health: current concepts and future directions.

PMID: 23279728
Journal: NEUROGASTROENTEROLOGY AND MOTILITY
Year: 2013
Reference: Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2013 Jan;25(1):4-15. doi: 10.1111/nmo.12046.
Impact factor: 2.935
Publication type: Review in international publication
Authors: Aziz, Q, Dore, J, Emmanuel, A, Guarner, F, Quigley, E M M et al.
DOI: 10.1111/nmo.12046

Blog

News

Among the genes described, there are some related to digestive system functions, which reinforces the biological entity of irritable bowel syndrome as a digestive disease.

The international study, in which Vall d'Hebron participated, monitored patients who were hospitalized for COVID-19 for 12 months and compared their gastrointestinal symptoms with another group of patients diagnosed with other medical pathologies.

Els estudis avançaran en els camps de les malalties digestives, el VIH, la fatiga crònica, les patologies cardíaques, l’hepatitis, la diabetis i l’oftalmologia.

Job offers

Bioinformatician-Digestive.
Start date:
10/12/2021
End date:
25/12/2021
Document: Download
Research Technician-Digestive Group..
Start date:
03/11/2021
End date:
17/11/2021
Document: Download
Project Manager
Start date:
03/11/2021
End date:
17/11/2021
Document: Download