🤾🏻‍♂️Human Physiology Engineering Unit 9 – Digestive System

Overview of the Digestive System

• Consists of a series of organs that work together to break down food into nutrients the body can absorb and utilize for energy, growth, and cell repair
• Includes the gastrointestinal tract (mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, and anus) and accessory organs (salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas)
• Begins with ingestion, the process of taking food into the mouth, and ends with defecation, the expulsion of undigested materials as feces
• Involves both mechanical digestion (chewing, churning, and mixing) and chemical digestion (enzymes and acids breaking down food)
• Facilitates the absorption of nutrients, water, and electrolytes through the intestinal walls into the bloodstream
• Plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health by providing the body with essential nutrients and energy
• Hosts a diverse community of microorganisms known as the gut microbiome, which aids in digestion, nutrient absorption, and immune function

Anatomy of Digestive Organs

• Mouth contains teeth for mechanical digestion, tongue for mixing food with saliva, and salivary glands that secrete saliva containing enzymes (amylase) to begin carbohydrate breakdown
• Esophagus connects the mouth to the stomach, using peristaltic contractions to push food towards the stomach
• Stomach is a muscular, J-shaped organ that stores food, mixes it with digestive enzymes (pepsin) and hydrochloric acid, and releases it slowly into the small intestine
  • Stomach lining contains mucus-producing cells to protect it from the acidic environment
• Small intestine is a long, narrow tube (approximately 20 feet long) where most nutrient absorption occurs
  • Divided into three sections: duodenum, jejunum, and ileum
  • Inner surface lined with villi and microvilli, increasing surface area for efficient nutrient absorption
• Large intestine (colon) is responsible for absorbing water and electrolytes, forming feces, and storing feces until elimination
• Liver produces bile, which aids in fat digestion and absorption, and performs various metabolic functions
• Gallbladder stores and concentrates bile, releasing it into the small intestine when needed
• Pancreas secretes digestive enzymes (lipase, amylase, trypsin) into the small intestine and produces hormones (insulin, glucagon) that regulate blood sugar levels

Digestive Processes and Mechanisms

• Mastication (chewing) in the mouth mechanically breaks down food into smaller particles, increasing surface area for digestive enzymes to act upon
• Peristalsis, rhythmic muscle contractions, propels food through the digestive tract
• Segmentation contractions in the small intestine mix food with digestive secretions and bring nutrients into contact with the absorptive surface
• Chemical digestion involves the action of enzymes and acids secreted by the stomach, pancreas, and small intestine to break down food into absorbable nutrients
  • Carbohydrates are broken down into simple sugars (glucose, fructose, galactose)
  • Proteins are broken down into amino acids
  • Fats are broken down into fatty acids and monoglycerides
• Emulsification of fats by bile salts increases their surface area, allowing lipases to break them down more efficiently
• Absorption of nutrients occurs primarily in the small intestine through passive diffusion, facilitated diffusion, and active transport mechanisms
• Water and electrolyte absorption takes place in the large intestine, concentrating the remaining undigested material into feces

Key Enzymes and Hormones

• Salivary amylase, secreted by salivary glands, initiates the breakdown of carbohydrates in the mouth
• Pepsin, secreted by the stomach, begins the digestion of proteins in the acidic environment of the stomach
• Pancreatic enzymes (lipase, amylase, trypsin) are released into the small intestine to further break down fats, carbohydrates, and proteins
• Bile, produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, emulsifies fats and facilitates their digestion and absorption
• Gastrin, secreted by the stomach, stimulates the production of hydrochloric acid and pepsin
• Secretin and cholecystokinin (CCK), released by the small intestine, stimulate the pancreas to secrete digestive enzymes and the gallbladder to release bile
• Insulin and glucagon, produced by the pancreas, regulate blood sugar levels by promoting the uptake and storage of glucose (insulin) or the release of glucose from the liver (glucagon)

Nutrient Absorption and Transport

• Carbohydrates are absorbed as monosaccharides (glucose, fructose, galactose) through specific transport proteins (GLUT2, SGLT1) in the small intestine
  • Absorbed monosaccharides enter the bloodstream and are transported to the liver via the hepatic portal vein
• Proteins are absorbed as amino acids through active transport mechanisms and specific amino acid transporters in the small intestine
  • Absorbed amino acids enter the bloodstream and are distributed throughout the body for protein synthesis and other metabolic processes
• Fats are absorbed as monoglycerides and fatty acids, which are then reassembled into triglycerides within intestinal cells
  • Triglycerides are packaged into chylomicrons, lipoproteins that transport fats through the lymphatic system before entering the bloodstream
• Fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) are absorbed along with dietary fats and transported in chylomicrons
• Water-soluble vitamins (B-complex and C) are absorbed through specific transport mechanisms in the small intestine and enter the bloodstream directly
• Minerals (calcium, iron, magnesium) are absorbed through various transport mechanisms, depending on the specific mineral and the body's needs
  • Calcium absorption is regulated by vitamin D and parathyroid hormone
  • Iron absorption is enhanced by vitamin C and regulated by hepcidin, a hormone produced by the liver

Gut Microbiome and Its Role

• The gut microbiome consists of trillions of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, viruses) that reside in the digestive tract, primarily in the large intestine
• Beneficial bacteria (Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus) ferment undigested carbohydrates (fiber) to produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which serve as an energy source for intestinal cells and promote gut health
• Gut bacteria synthesize certain vitamins (vitamin K, biotin, folate) and aid in the absorption of minerals (calcium, magnesium)
• The gut microbiome plays a crucial role in the development and function of the immune system, helping to distinguish between harmful pathogens and beneficial microbes
• Dysbiosis, an imbalance in the gut microbiome, has been linked to various digestive disorders (inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome) and systemic conditions (obesity, diabetes, allergies)
• Probiotics (beneficial bacteria) and prebiotics (non-digestible fibers that feed beneficial bacteria) can help maintain a healthy gut microbiome and promote overall digestive health

Digestive System Disorders

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when stomach acid frequently flows back into the esophagus, causing heartburn and potential damage to the esophageal lining
• Peptic ulcers are open sores that develop in the lining of the stomach or duodenum, often caused by Helicobacter pylori bacteria or long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, is characterized by chronic inflammation of the digestive tract, leading to abdominal pain, diarrhea, and malnutrition
• Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder triggered by the ingestion of gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, resulting in damage to the small intestine and impaired nutrient absorption
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits (diarrhea, constipation, or both)
• Gallstones are hardened deposits of bile that can form in the gallbladder, causing abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting when they obstruct the bile ducts
• Colorectal cancer develops in the colon or rectum, often beginning as benign polyps that can transform into malignant tumors over time
  • Regular screening (colonoscopy, fecal occult blood tests) can help detect and remove precancerous polyps, reducing the risk of colorectal cancer

Engineering Applications in Digestive Health

• Bioengineered probiotics and genetically modified bacteria are being developed to deliver therapeutic compounds, enzymes, or vaccines directly to the gut
  • Example: engineered Lactococcus lactis bacteria that produce anti-inflammatory cytokines to treat IBD
• Tissue engineering techniques are being explored to create functional intestinal tissue for the treatment of short bowel syndrome and other digestive disorders
  • Decellularized intestinal scaffolds seeded with patient-derived stem cells can be used to regenerate functional intestinal tissue
• Microfluidic devices (organ-on-a-chip) that mimic the structure and function of the human gut are being developed for drug testing and disease modeling
  • These devices can incorporate multiple cell types (epithelial cells, immune cells, microbes) to create a more realistic model of the gut environment
• Nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems are being designed to target specific regions of the digestive tract and improve the bioavailability of oral medications
  • pH-sensitive nanoparticles can release their payload in the small intestine, avoiding degradation in the stomach
• Ingestible sensors and smart pills are being developed to monitor gut health, detect biomarkers, and track medication adherence
  • Example: a capsule that measures gas production in the gut to diagnose and monitor digestive disorders
• 3D printing technology is being applied to create personalized oral dosage forms (pills, capsules) with customized release profiles and dosages
  • This approach can optimize drug delivery and minimize side effects based on an individual's specific needs and gut physiology