scholarly journals Gut microbiota: friend or foe

Author(s):  
Ansh Chaudhary ◽  
Shubhi Shubhangi Bhatnagar ◽  
Meghna Prashant Nair ◽  
Bhupendra Chaudhary

Comprising of trillions of various bacteria, protozoan, fungi and viruses, the gut microbiota live in human body as a super complex ecosystem mostly in gastro intestinal tract (70%). Apart from GI tract they also inhabit skin, mouth and sexual organs as an essential ecological community of commensal, symbiotic or even pathogenic relationship. These microbiota interplay with bodily immune, endocrinal, metabolic and nervous system and produces various pathological changes responsible for disease etiology. These microbiota play a major role in digestion and absorption of macro molecules, maturation of immune system, protection of gut and behavioural development of an individual. In gut disorders like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) the altered brain axis is responsible for disorders like depression, anxiety, schizoaffective disorders, autistic spectrum disorders, multiple sclerosis and parkinson’s disease. 

mSystems ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel A. Smits ◽  
Angela Marcobal ◽  
Steven Higginbottom ◽  
Justin L. Sonnenburg ◽  
Purna C. Kashyap

ABSTRACT Dietary modification has long been used empirically to modify symptoms in inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and a diverse group of diseases with gastrointestinal symptoms. There is both anecdotal and scientific evidence to suggest that individuals respond quite differently to similar dietary changes, and the highly individualized nature of the gut microbiota makes it a prime candidate for these differences. To overcome the typical confounding factors of human dietary interventions, here we employ ex-germfree mice colonized by microbiotas of three different humans to test how different microbiotas respond to a defined change in carbohydrate content of diet by measuring changes in microbiota composition and function using marker gene-based next-generation sequencing and metabolomics. Our findings suggest that the same diet has very different effects on each microbiota’s membership and function, which may in turn explain interindividual differences in response to a dietary ingredient. Diet plays an important role in shaping the structure and function of the gut microbiota. The microbes and microbial products in turn can influence various aspects of host physiology. One promising route to affect host function and restore health is by altering the gut microbiome using dietary intervention. The individuality of the microbiome may pose a significant challenge, so we sought to determine how different microbiotas respond to the same dietary intervention in a controlled setting. We modeled gut microbiotas from three healthy donors in germfree mice and defined compositional and functional alteration following a change in dietary microbiota-accessible carbohydrates (MACs). The three gut communities exhibited responses that differed markedly in magnitude and in the composition of microbiota-derived metabolites. Adjustments in community membership did not correspond to the magnitude of changes in the microbial metabolites, highlighting potential challenges in predicting functional responses from compositional data and the need to assess multiple microbiota parameters following dietary interventions. IMPORTANCE Dietary modification has long been used empirically to modify symptoms in inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and a diverse group of diseases with gastrointestinal symptoms. There is both anecdotal and scientific evidence to suggest that individuals respond quite differently to similar dietary changes, and the highly individualized nature of the gut microbiota makes it a prime candidate for these differences. To overcome the typical confounding factors of human dietary interventions, here we employ ex-germfree mice colonized by microbiotas of three different humans to test how different microbiotas respond to a defined change in carbohydrate content of diet by measuring changes in microbiota composition and function using marker gene-based next-generation sequencing and metabolomics. Our findings suggest that the same diet has very different effects on each microbiota’s membership and function, which may in turn explain interindividual differences in response to a dietary ingredient. Author Video: An author video summary of this article is available.


2021 ◽  
Vol 75 ◽  
pp. 183-190
Author(s):  
Miłosz Jastrzębski ◽  
Adam Przybyłkowski

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract contains the highest concentration of biogenic amines in the human body. Neurons located in the GI tract, modulated by biogenic amines and various peptide and non-peptide transmitters, are called Enteric Nervous System (ENS). That explains why many medications used in neurology and psychiatry present side effects from the gut. Serotonin (5-hyroxytrypatamine, 5-HT), 95% of which is synthesized in the gut, is the most important amine (beside epinephrine and norepinephrine) colon functionality but another substances such as histamine, dopamine and melatonin are also potent in modulating intestine’s actions. Over 30 receptors for 5-HT were described in the human body, and 5-HT3, 5-HT4 and 5-HT7 are known to have the highest influence on motility and are a potent target for the drugs for treatment GI disorders, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD). Histamine is a key biogenic amine for pathogenesis of allergy also in the colon. Alteration in histaminergic system is found in patients with diarrhea and allergic enteropathy. Dopamine affects functions of the large intestine but its modulating actions are more presented in the upper part of GI tract. Melatonin is best known for regulating circadian circle, but may also be a potent anti-inflammatory agent within the gut. Despite many years of research, it seems that more studies are needed to fully understand human colon neurochemistry.


Author(s):  
Antonella Gagliardi ◽  
Valentina Totino ◽  
Fatima Cacciotti ◽  
Valerio Iebba ◽  
Bruna Neroni ◽  
...  

A microbial ecosystem in which bacteria no longer live in a mutualistic association is called dysbiotic. Gut microbiota dysbiosis is a condition related with the pathogenesis of intestinal illnesses (irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, and inflammatory bowel disease) and extra-intestinal illnesses (obesity, metabolic disorder, cardiovascular syndrome, allergy, and asthma). Dysbiosis status has been related to various important pathologies, and many therapeutic strategies aimed at restoring the balance of the intestinal ecosystem have been implemented. These strategies include the administration of probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics; phage therapy; fecal transplantation; bacterial consortium transplantation; and a still poorly investigated approach based on predatory bacteria. This review discusses the various aspects of these strategies to counteract intestinal dysbiosis.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni Barbara ◽  
Maria Raffaella Barbaro ◽  
Daniele Fuschi ◽  
Marta Palombo ◽  
Francesca Falangone ◽  
...  

The intestinal epithelial barrier (IEB) is one of the largest interfaces between the environment and the internal milieu of the body. It is essential to limit the passage of harmful antigens and microorganisms and, on the other side, to assure the absorption of nutrients and water. The maintenance of this delicate equilibrium is tightly regulated as it is essential for human homeostasis. Luminal solutes and ions can pass across the IEB via two main routes: the transcellular pathway or the paracellular pathway. Tight junctions (TJs) are a multi-protein complex responsible for the regulation of paracellular permeability. TJs control the passage of antigens through the IEB and have a key role in maintaining barrier integrity. Several factors, including cytokines, gut microbiota, and dietary components are known to regulate intestinal TJs. Gut microbiota participates in several human functions including the modulation of epithelial cells and immune system through the release of several metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Mediators released by immune cells can induce epithelial cell damage and TJs dysfunction. The subsequent disruption of the IEB allows the passage of antigens into the mucosa leading to further inflammation. Growing evidence indicates that dysbiosis, immune activation, and IEB dysfunction have a role in several diseases, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and gluten-related conditions. Here we summarize the interplay between the IEB and gut microbiota and mucosal immune system and their involvement in IBS, IBD, and gluten-related disorders.


2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 90-100
Author(s):  
A V Oleskin

Symbiotic microorganisms inhabit a wide variety of niches in the human organism. Of paramount importance is the microbiota of the gastro-intestinal (GI) tract, especially of its distal part (the colon). Bidirectional signal exchange proceeds within the microbiota-host system, and diverse microbial metabolites modify the functions of the nervous system via metabolic, genetic, and neuroendocrine pathways. Increasing attention is currently given to the role of the GI microbiota in terms of the host's physical and mental health; therefore, it has been suggested to replace the widely used term gut-brain axis with the new term microbiota-gut-brain axis. The GI microbiota directly interacts with the enteric nervous system (ENS) that represents a partly autonomous subdivision of the nervous system. An important role is also played by the GI tract-innervating vagus nerve. In addition, the influence of the microbiota on the nervous system can be mediated by the immune system. The microbiota impact on the nervous system of the host results in significant alterations in the host's behavior, mood, and even taste. In the literature, there is evidence that neurological and psychological diseases are linked to microecological disorders (dysbioses) in the GI tract. In particular, dysbioses with manifest GI symptoms are often accompanied by serious brain problems.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 2583
Author(s):  
Leon M. T. Dicks ◽  
Diron Hurn ◽  
Demi Hermanus

Bacteria in the gut microbiome plays an intrinsic part in immune activation, intestinal permeability, enteric reflex, and entero-endocrine signaling. Apart from physiological and structural changes brought about by gut bacteria on entero-epithelial cells and mucus layers, a vast number of signals generated in the gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) reaches the brain via the vagus nerve. Research on the gut–brain axis (GBA) has mostly been devoted to digestive functions and satiety. Less papers have been published on the role gut microbiota play in mood, cognitive behavior and neuropsychiatric disorders such as autism, depression and schizophrenia. Whether we will be able to fully decipher the connection between gut microbiota and mental health is debatable, especially since the gut microbiome is diverse, everchanging and highly responsive to external stimuli. Nevertheless, the more we discover about the gut microbiome and the more we learn about the GBA, the greater the chance of developing novel therapeutics, probiotics and psychobiotics to treat gastro-intestinal disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but also improve cognitive functions and prevent or treat mental disorders. In this review we focus on the influence gut bacteria and their metabolites have on neuropsychiatric disorders.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. e237268
Author(s):  
Luke Horton ◽  
Nabil Al-Kourainy ◽  
Dana Kabbani ◽  
Carter R Bishop

Mastocytosis is a rare group of disorders that presents with heterogenous phenotypes depending on the organ system involved. In the absence of cutaneous involvement—mast cell aggregates that may present as papules, nodules or plaques—classically associated with indolent systemic mastocytosis (SM), the diagnosis of this rare condition is particularly challenging. When localised to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, symptoms of indolent SM are often non-specific and mimic common conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome. Diagnosis may be suspected by clinical presentation, but biopsy with histopathological analysis is necessary to confirm. We present a rare case of indolent SM without cutaneous features. In the absence of typical cutaneous features, indolent SM should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a patient with persistent GI symptoms refractory to medical treatment, as failure to do so can lead to delay in the appropriate diagnosis and treatment.


2020 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 381-398
Author(s):  
Ricardo Correa BARBUTI ◽  
Leonardo Lucca SCHIAVON ◽  
Cláudia P OLIVEIRA ◽  
Mário Reis ALVARES-DA-SILVA ◽  
Lígia Yukie SASSAKI ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Over the last years, there is growing evidence that microorganisms are involved in the maintenance of our health and are related to various diseases, both intestinal and extraintestinal. Changes in the gut microbiota appears to be a key element in the pathogenesis of hepatic and gastrointestinal disorders, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, alcoholic liver disease, liver cirrhosis, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and Clostridium difficile - associated diarrhea. In 2019, the Brazilian Society of Hepatology (SBH) in cooperation with the Brazilian Nucleus for the Study of Helicobacter Pylori and Microbiota (NBEHPM), and Brazilian Federation of Gastroenterology (FBG) sponsored a joint meeting on gut microbiota and the use of prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics in gastrointestinal and liver diseases. This paper summarizes the proceedings of the aforementioned meeting. It is intended to provide practical information about this topic, addressing the latest discoveries and indicating areas for future studies.


2017 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Loris Riccardo Lopetuso ◽  
Valentina Petito ◽  
Cristina Graziani ◽  
Elisa Schiavoni ◽  
Francesco Paroni Sterbini ◽  
...  

Few data exist on differences in gut microbiota composition among principal gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. We evaluated the differences in gut microbiota composition among uncomplicated diverticular disease (DD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) patients. DD, IBS, and IBD patients along with healthy controls (CT) were enrolled in our Italian GI outpatient clinic. Stool samples were collected. Microbiota composition was evaluated through a metagenomic gene-targeted approach. GI pathology represented a continuous spectrum of diseases where IBD displayed one extreme, while CT displayed the other. Among Phyla, Biplot PC2/PC3 and dendogram plot showed major differences in samples from IBS and IBD. DD resembled species CT composition, but not for Bacteroides fragilis. In IBS, Dialister spp. and then Faecalibacterium prausnitzii were the most representative species. Ulcerative colitis showed a reduced concentration of Clostridium difficile and an increase of Bacteroides fragilis. In Crohn's disease, Parabacteroides distasonis was the most represented, while Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Bacteroides fragilis were significantly reduced. Each disorder has its definite overall microbial signature, which produces a clear differentiation from the others. On the other hand, shared alterations constitute the “core dysbiosis” of GI diseases. The assessment of these microbial markers represents a parameter that may complete the diagnostic assessment.


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