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Gut Microbiota, Diet, and Immunity: Investigating the Connections and Implications...
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Gut Microbiota, Diet, and Immunity: Investigating the Connections and Implications for Disease Development: 2nd Edition

A special issue of Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059). This special issue belongs to the section "Microbiology in Human Health and Disease".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2025 | Viewed by 7488

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Farhad Vahid

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Nutrition and Health Research Group, Department of Precision Health, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Strassen, Luxembourg
Interests: diet-induced inflammation; nutrition and inflammation; diet and gut microbiota; oxidative stress and antioxidants; dietary bioactive compounds
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The interplay between gut microbiota, dietary factors, and immune responses has emerged as a critical area of research with profound implications for understanding disease development. This Special Issue delves into the intricate connections between the gut microbiota, dietary patterns/intakes/habits, and the immune system, aiming to shed light on the multifaceted relationships that contribute to health and disease.

The gut microbiota, a diverse ecosystem of microorganisms residing in the gastrointestinal tract, plays a pivotal role in maintaining homeostasis and influencing various physiological processes. Recent advances in microbiome research have unveiled the impact of diet on shaping the composition and functionality of gut microbes. This Special Issue explores how dietary choices/patterns/intakes/habits, including nutrients and bioactive compounds, modulate the gut microbiota and subsequently impact immune function.

Understanding the bidirectional communication between the gut microbiota and the immune system is crucial for unraveling the mechanisms underlying disease susceptibility and resilience. Articles featured in this Special Issue will cover a spectrum of topics, including the role of gut microbiota in immune system development, the influence of dietary patterns on microbial diversity, and the immunomodulatory effects of specific nutrients.

Furthermore, the implications of dysbiosis—an imbalance in the gut microbiota—on immune-related diseases will be addressed. Contributors will investigate how disruptions in the delicate equilibrium of the gut ecosystem, often driven by poor dietary habits, may contribute to the pathogenesis of various disorders, such as inflammatory bowel diseases, autoimmune conditions, and metabolic syndromes.

The overarching goal of this Special Issue is to consolidate current knowledge, present cutting-edge research findings, and stimulate further exploration into the complex interconnections between gut microbiota, diet, and immunity. By fostering a comprehensive understanding of these relationships, we aim to provide insights that may guide the development of targeted interventions and therapeutic strategies for preventing and managing diseases associated with a dysregulated gut microbiota and immune responses.

Researchers, clinicians, and professionals across disciplines are invited to contribute their expertise to advance our understanding of the pivotal role played by the gut microbiota, diet, and immunity in health and disease.

Contributions from every corner of biomedicine, such as biochemistry, molecular biology, physiology, pathology, microbiology, cell biology, toxicology, pharmacology, virology, bacteriology, immunology, genetics, and embryology, are welcome. However, reports must be based on serum/blood/circulating investigations and be chemically well-defined. Outstanding cellular or animal models may be considered. Even if not associated with serum metabolites, gut microbiota results are welcome.

Dr. Farhad Vahid
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biomedicines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • gut microbiota
  • diet
  • immunity
  • microbiome
  • dysbiosis
  • inflammatory bowel diseases
  • cancer
  • CVD
  • T2D
  • obesity
  • overweight
  • autoimmune diseases
  • metabolic syndromes
  • immunomodulation
  • microbial diversity
  • nutrient–gut microbiota interactions
  • probiotics
  • prebiotics
  • immune system development
  • disease susceptibility
  • therapeutic interventions
  • host–microbe interactions
  • gut–brain axis
  • microbial metabolites
  • precision nutrition

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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20 pages, 4831 KiB  
Article
Probiotic-Derived Metabolites from Lactiplantibacillus plantarum OC01 Reprogram Tumor-Associated Macrophages to an Inflammatory Anti-Tumoral Phenotype: Impact on Colorectal Cancer Cell Proliferation and Migration
by Beatrice Garavaglia, Letizia Vallino, Alessandra Ferraresi, Angela Amoruso, Marco Pane and Ciro Isidoro
Biomedicines 2025, 13(2), 339; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13020339 (registering DOI) - 3 Feb 2025
Abstract
Background: Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are key players in the colorectal cancer (CRC) tumor microenvironment (TME), representing the most abundant immune cells within it. The interplay between the intestinal microbiota, macrophages, and cancer cells significantly impacts tumor progression by driving macrophage polarization. Particularly, the [...] Read more.
Background: Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are key players in the colorectal cancer (CRC) tumor microenvironment (TME), representing the most abundant immune cells within it. The interplay between the intestinal microbiota, macrophages, and cancer cells significantly impacts tumor progression by driving macrophage polarization. Particularly, the polarization into the pro-tumoral M2-like TAM phenotype promotes the extracellular matrix remodeling, cancer cell proliferation, metastasis, immune suppression, and therapy resistance. Probiotic metabolites can disrupt this crosstalk, possibly reverting the TAM polarization toward a pro-inflammatory anti-tumoral phenotype, thus potentially benefiting the intestinal mucosa and opposing CRC progression. Previously, we showed that Lactiplantibacillus plantarum OC01 metabolites counter interleukin (IL)-6-induced CRC proliferation and migration. Methods: Here, we explore how probiotics affect CRC secretome and how this influences TAM polarization, which then impacts CRC malignancy. Results: The conditioning medium (CM) from CRC cells indeed promoted the polarization of macrophage toward the M2-like phenotype, whereas the CM from CRC pre-treated with L. plantarum OC01 metabolites induced a pro-inflammatory macrophage phenotype, characterized by NLRP3 inflammasome activation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and by decreased expression of the M2 phenotype markers CD206 and CD163. Consistently, the expression of tumor growth factor (TGF)-β, a promoter of M2 macrophage polarization, was reduced in CRC cells treated with L. plantarum OC01. The pro-inflammatory macrophages inhibited CRC proliferation and migration. Conclusions: Overall, our study highlights the potential of metabolites from L. plantarum OC01 to reprogram the metabolism in cancer cells and thus reshape the TME by shifting TAMs toward a more inflammatory and anti-tumoral phenotype, emphasizing the promise of probiotics in advancing novel therapeutic approaches for CRC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gut Microbiota, Diet, and Immunity: Investigating the Connections and Implications for Disease Development: 2nd Edition)
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17 pages, 559 KiB  
Article
Role of Vitamin D Status and Alterations in Gut Microbiota Metabolism in Fibromyalgia-Associated Chronic Inflammatory Pain
by Caterina Saija, Maria Paola Bertuccio, Alberto Scoglio, Vincenzo Macaione, Francesco Cacciola, Giuseppe Micalizzi, Daniela Caccamo, Carolina Muscoli and Monica Currò
Biomedicines 2025, 13(1), 139; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13010139 - 9 Jan 2025
Viewed by 713
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Several studies suggest gut microbiota metabolites as important immuno-modulators in inflammatory pain. We aimed to investigate the relationship between vitamin D status and gut dysbiosis markers in fibromyalgia (FM)-associated chronic inflammation. Methods: Blood samples were collected from sixty-eight female FM [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Several studies suggest gut microbiota metabolites as important immuno-modulators in inflammatory pain. We aimed to investigate the relationship between vitamin D status and gut dysbiosis markers in fibromyalgia (FM)-associated chronic inflammation. Methods: Blood samples were collected from sixty-eight female FM patients (49.9 ± 12.35 years). Pain intensity was assessed by FIQ-R. The serum levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17, IFN-γ, as well as those of vitamin D (25(OH)D3) and the kynurenine/tryptophan ratio (Kyn/Trp) were determined by ELISA and HPLC, respectively. The plasma levels of the SCFAs acetate, butyrate, and propionate were detected by GC-MS. Results: A mean FIQ-R score indicated that the patients could be classified as having moderate FM. The mean levels of all cytokines, but IL-6 and IL-1β, were higher than the normal reference values. The highest concentrations of cytokines were observed in patients showing the highest FIQ-R scores and the lowest 25(OH)D3 levels. Deficient levels of acetate were found paralleled by an increase in Kyn/Trp. The highest acetate concentrations were detected in patients with the lowest FIQ-R scores and 25(OH)D3 levels. Significantly negative correlations were found between 25(OH)D3 concentrations and FIQ-R scores (p = 0.007) as well as IL-17 levels (p = 0.002) and between acetate and TNF-α (p = 0.040) as well as FIQ-R scores (p = 0.028), while significantly positive correlations were observed between Kyn/Trp and IL-17 (p = 0.027) as well as IFN-γ (p = 0.003). Conclusions: Our preliminary data suggest that the vitamin D status along with altered gut microbiota metabolism plays a major role in FM-related inflammatory pain. Replication of these findings in a larger cohort is required to provide additional insights. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gut Microbiota, Diet, and Immunity: Investigating the Connections and Implications for Disease Development: 2nd Edition)
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20 pages, 5518 KiB  
Article
Butyric Acid Modulates Gut Microbiota to Alleviate Inflammation and Secondary Bone Loss in Ankylosing Spondylitis
by Ke You, Lianjun Yang, Zhihai Su, Jun Shen, Xinyang Fan, Yuanqing Guo, Zhen Yuan and Hai Lu
Biomedicines 2025, 13(1), 9; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13010009 - 24 Dec 2024
Viewed by 807
Abstract
Background: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory and autoimmune disease that primarily affects the sacroiliac joints and axial skeleton. While the exact pathogenetic mechanism of AS remains unclear, previous reports have highlighted the involvement of genetic factors, immune responses, and gut microbiota [...] Read more.
Background: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory and autoimmune disease that primarily affects the sacroiliac joints and axial skeleton. While the exact pathogenetic mechanism of AS remains unclear, previous reports have highlighted the involvement of genetic factors, immune responses, and gut microbiota dysregulation in the development of this condition. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which are microbial fermentation products derived from sugar, protein, and dietary fibers, play a role in maintaining the intestinal barrier function and reducing inflammatory responses. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic potential of butyric acid (BA), an important SCFA, in the treatment of AS. Methods: To evaluate the anti-inflammatory and anti-bone loss effects of BA, a murine AS model was established using proteoglycan and dimethyl dioctadecyl ammonium (DDA) adjuvants. Various techniques, including an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), micro-CT, histology, quantitative PCR (qPCR) for intestinal tight junction protein expression, and 16S rDNA sequencing to analyze gut microbiota abundance, were employed to assess the inflammation and bone health in the target tissues. Results: The results indicated that BA demonstrated potential in alleviating the inflammatory response in the peripheral joints and the axial spine affected by AS, as evidenced by the reductions in inflammatory infiltration, synovial hyperplasia, and endplate erosion. Furthermore, BA was found to impact the intestinal barrier function positively. Notably, BA was associated with the downregulation of harmful inflammatory factors and the reversal of bone loss, suggesting its protective effects against AS. Conclusions: These beneficial effects were attributed to the modulation of gut microbiota, anti-inflammatory properties, and the maintenance of skeletal metabolic homeostasis. This study contributes new evidence supporting the relationship between gut microbiota and bone health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gut Microbiota, Diet, and Immunity: Investigating the Connections and Implications for Disease Development: 2nd Edition)
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20 pages, 3836 KiB  
Article
Taurine Supplementation Alleviates Blood Pressure via Gut–Brain Communication in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats
by Qing Su, Xiong-Feng Pan, Hong-Bao Li, Ling-Xiao Xiong, Juan Bai, Xiao-Min Wang, Xiao-Ying Qu, Ning-Rui Zhang, Guo-Quan Zou, Yang Shen, Lu Li, Li-Li Huang, Huan Zhang and Meng-Lu Xu
Biomedicines 2024, 12(12), 2711; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12122711 - 27 Nov 2024
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Abstract
Objects: Taurine exhibits protective effects in the context of cardiovascular pathophysiology. A range of evidence suggests that hypertension activates inflammatory responses and oxidative stress in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), elevating the arterial tone and sympathetic activity, while it induces gut–brain axis dysfunction in [...] Read more.
Objects: Taurine exhibits protective effects in the context of cardiovascular pathophysiology. A range of evidence suggests that hypertension activates inflammatory responses and oxidative stress in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), elevating the arterial tone and sympathetic activity, while it induces gut–brain axis dysfunction in the context of hypertension. However, the mechanism underlying taurine’s anti-hypertensive effects via the gut–brain axis remains unclear. Method: Male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were administered 3% taurine in their drinking water for eight weeks, with their arterial pressure measured weekly. Molecular techniques were employed to investigate taurine’s effects on the hypertensive gut and PVN. Additionally, 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to analyze the gut microbiota composition, and untargeted metabolomics was applied to assess the fecal metabolites following taurine supplementation. Results: Taurine supplementation not only reduced the blood pressure, sympathetic activity, and inflammatory and oxidative stress in the PVN but also improved the cardiac pathology and microbiota composition while alleviating gut inflammation in hypertensive rats. The untargeted metabolite analysis indicated that the primary effect of the taurine intervention in SHRs was exerted on tryptophan metabolism. The levels of serum metabolites such as kynurenine, L-tryptophan, serotonin (5-HT), and 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (5-HIAA) were altered in hypertensive rats following taurine treatment. Conclusions: Taurine supplementation restored the microbiota balance, strengthened the mucosal barrier, reduced intestinal inflammation, and stimulated tryptophan metabolism. The metabolites derived from the gut microbiota likely crossed the brain barrier and reached the paraventricular nucleus, thereby reducing the inflammatory responses and oxidative stress in the PVN via gut–brain communication, leading to decreased sympathetic nerve activity and blood pressure in the studied hypertensive rats. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gut Microbiota, Diet, and Immunity: Investigating the Connections and Implications for Disease Development: 2nd Edition)
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28 pages, 5189 KiB  
Article
Characteristics of the Gut Microbiota Composition of the Arctic Zone Residents in the Far Eastern Region
by Alexandra I. Nekrasova, Irina G. Kalashnikova, Anna V. Korobeynikova, German A. Ashniev, Maria M. Bobrova, Sirozhdin Yu. Bakoev, Ekaterina S. Petryaikina, Alexander S. Nekrasov, Angelika V. Zagainova, Mariya V. Lukashina, Larisa R. Tolkacheva, Igor P. Bobrovnitskii, Vladimir S. Yudin, Anton A. Keskinov, Valentin V. Makarov and Sergey M. Yudin
Biomedicines 2024, 12(11), 2472; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12112472 - 28 Oct 2024
Viewed by 961
Abstract
Background. In many studies over the past decade, scientists have made a connection between the composition of gut microbiota and human health. A number of publications have shown that gut bacteria are involved in many metabolic and physiological processes of the organism. [...] Read more.
Background. In many studies over the past decade, scientists have made a connection between the composition of gut microbiota and human health. A number of publications have shown that gut bacteria are involved in many metabolic and physiological processes of the organism. The composition of the gut microbiome is unique for each person and is formed under the influence of various factors associated with both the individual characteristics of the body and the characteristics of the environment. Different regional characteristics make it necessary for the body to adapt to certain conditions, including temperature fluctuations. Living in areas with low temperatures, such as the Arctic zone, dictates the need for increased energy consumption, which affects the composition of the gut microbiome. Methods. In our study, an extensive questionnaire was conducted among the participants, where many questions were included about the dietary preferences of the study participants, which allowed them us to further divide them into groups according to their diets. Stool samples were collected from participants from 3 groups: Arctic native, Arctic newcomer and the control group. The next step was the isolation of bacterial DNA and sequencing the 16S rRNA gene. The analysis of the results of the diversity of the intestinal microbiota was carried out both with and without taking into account the dietary preferences of the participants. Results. As a result of comparing the intestinal microbiota obtained from residents of the Arctic zone with the gut microbiota of residents of other regions with a milder climate, significant differences are found. These differences may be related to limited food resources and a reduction in the variety of food products characteristic of this Arctic region. t was also found that representatives of the bacterial families Christensenellaceae and Muribaculaceae dominated the control group, both with traditional nutrition and with a dairy-free diet in comparison with the Arctic groups. The control group was dominated by representatives of the Prevotellaceae, Enterobacteriaceae and Comamonadaceae families compared to the Arctic group (with a traditional diet). The results also show that the number of representatives of the families Desulfovibrionaceae (with traditional diet) and Enterobacteriaceae (with milk-free diet) is growing in the Arctic group. Conclusions. In the course of this work, bacterial families characteristic of people living in the Arc-tic zone of the Far Eastern region of the Russian Federation were identified. Poor diet, difficult climatic conditions, and problems with logistics and medical care can have a strong impact on the health of this population. The main type of diet for the inhabitants of the Arctic is the traditional type of diet. They consume a large number of low-cost products, obtainget animal protein from poultry and canned food, and also eat a small number of fresh vegetables and fruits. Such a diet is due to the social status of the study participants and the climatic and geographical features of the region (difficulties in agriculture). With such a diet, we observe a decrease in representatives of the Christensenellaceae, Muribaculaceae, Eubacteriaceae, and Prevotellaceae families and an increase in representatives of the Enterobacteriaceae and Desulfovibrionaceae families among Arctic residents. This imbalance in the futuremay cause, this population may to develop various diseases in the future, including chronic diseases such as obesity, intestinal dysbiosis, inflammatory bowel diseases, and type 2 diabetes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gut Microbiota, Diet, and Immunity: Investigating the Connections and Implications for Disease Development: 2nd Edition)
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22 pages, 3201 KiB  
Article
The Association between Gut Microbiota and Serum Biomarkers in Children with Atopic Dermatitis
by Irina G. Kalashnikova, Alexandra I. Nekrasova, Anna V. Korobeynikova, Maria M. Bobrova, German A. Ashniev, Sirozhdin Yu. Bakoev, Angelica V. Zagainova, Mariya V. Lukashina, Larisa R. Tolkacheva, Ekaterina S. Petryaikina, Alexander S. Nekrasov, Sergey I. Mitrofanov, Tatyana A. Shpakova, Lidiya V. Frolova, Natalya V. Bulanova, Ekaterina A. Snigir, Vladimir E. Mukhin, Vladimir S. Yudin, Valentin V. Makarov, Anton A. Keskinov and Sergey M. Yudinadd Show full author list remove Hide full author list
Biomedicines 2024, 12(10), 2351; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12102351 - 15 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1021
Abstract
Background. Currently, it is known that the gut microbiota plays an important role in the functioning of the immune system, and a rebalancing of the bacterial community can arouse complex immune reactions and lead to immune-mediated responses in an organism, in particular, the [...] Read more.
Background. Currently, it is known that the gut microbiota plays an important role in the functioning of the immune system, and a rebalancing of the bacterial community can arouse complex immune reactions and lead to immune-mediated responses in an organism, in particular, the development of atopic dermatitis (AD). Cytokines and chemokines are regulators of the innate and adaptive immune response and represent the most important biomarkers of the immune system. It is known that changes in cytokine profiles are a hallmark of many diseases, including atopy. However, it remains unclear how the bacterial imbalance disrupts the function of the immune response in AD. Objectives. We attempted to determine the role of gut bacteria in modulating cytokine pathways and their role in atopic inflammation. Methods. We sequenced the 16S rRNA gene from 50 stool samples of children aged 3–12 years who had confirmed atopic dermatitis, and 50 samples from healthy children to serve as a control group. To evaluate the immune status, we conducted a multiplex immunofluorescence assay and measured the levels of 41 cytokines and chemokines in the serum of all participants. Results. To find out whether changes in the composition of the gut microbiota were significantly associated with changes in the level of inflammatory cytokines, a correlation was calculated between each pair of bacterial family and cytokine. In the AD group, 191 correlations were significant (Spearman’s correlation coefficient, p ≤ 0.05), 85 of which were positive and 106 which were negative. Conclusions. It has been demonstrated that intestinal dysbiosis is associated with alterations in cytokine profiles, specifically an increase in proinflammatory cytokine concentrations. This may indicate a systemic impact of these conditions, leading to an imbalance in the immune system’s response to the Th2 type. As a result, atopic conditions may develop. Additionally, a correlation between known AD biomarkers (IL-5, IL-8, IL-13, CCL22, IFN-γ, TNF-α) and alterations in the abundance of bacterial families (Pasteurellaceae, Barnesiellaceae, Eubacteriaceae) was observed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gut Microbiota, Diet, and Immunity: Investigating the Connections and Implications for Disease Development: 2nd Edition)
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Review

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25 pages, 1395 KiB  
Review
The Interplay of Nutrition, the Gut Microbiota and Immunity and Its Contribution to Human Disease
by Samantha L. Dawson, Emma Todd and Alister C. Ward
Biomedicines 2025, 13(2), 329; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13020329 - 31 Jan 2025
Viewed by 549
Abstract
Nutrition, the gut microbiota and immunity are all important factors in the maintenance of health. However, there is a growing realization of the complex interplay between these elements coalescing in a nutrition–gut microbiota–immunity axis. This regulatory axis is critical for health with disruption [...] Read more.
Nutrition, the gut microbiota and immunity are all important factors in the maintenance of health. However, there is a growing realization of the complex interplay between these elements coalescing in a nutrition–gut microbiota–immunity axis. This regulatory axis is critical for health with disruption being implicated in a broad range of diseases, including autoimmune disorders, allergies and mental health disorders. This new perspective continues to underpin a growing number of innovative therapeutic strategies targeting different elements of this axis to treat relevant diseases. This review describes the inter-relationships between nutrition, the gut microbiota and immunity. It then details several human diseases where disruption of the nutrition–gut microbiota–immunity axis has been identified and presents examples of how the various elements may be targeted therapeutically as alternate treatment strategies for these diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gut Microbiota, Diet, and Immunity: Investigating the Connections and Implications for Disease Development: 2nd Edition)
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27 pages, 1649 KiB  
Review
Gut Microbiota as Emerging Players in the Development of Alcohol-Related Liver Disease
by Wei Li, Wenkang Gao, Shengqi Yan, Ling Yang, Qingjing Zhu and Huikuan Chu
Biomedicines 2025, 13(1), 74; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13010074 - 31 Dec 2024
Viewed by 511
Abstract
The global incidence and mortality rates of alcohol-related liver disease are on the rise, reflecting a growing health concern worldwide. Alcohol-related liver disease develops due to a complex interplay of multiple reasons, including oxidative stress generated during the metabolism of ethanol, immune response [...] Read more.
The global incidence and mortality rates of alcohol-related liver disease are on the rise, reflecting a growing health concern worldwide. Alcohol-related liver disease develops due to a complex interplay of multiple reasons, including oxidative stress generated during the metabolism of ethanol, immune response activated by immunogenic substances, and subsequent inflammatory processes. Recent research highlights the gut microbiota’s significant role in the progression of alcohol-related liver disease. In patients with alcohol-related liver disease, the relative abundance of pathogenic bacteria, including Enterococcus faecalis, increases and is positively correlated with the level of severity exhibited by alcohol-related liver disease. Supplement probiotics like Lactobacillus, as well as Bifidobacterium, have been found to alleviate alcohol-related liver disease. The gut microbiota is speculated to trigger specific signaling pathways, influence metabolite profiles, and modulate immune responses in the gut and liver. This research aimed to investigate the role of gut microorganisms in the onset and advancement of alcohol-related liver disease, as well as to uncover the underlying mechanisms by which the gut microbiota may contribute to its development. This review outlines current treatments for reversing gut dysbiosis, including probiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation, and targeted phage therapy. Particularly, targeted therapy will be a vital aspect of future alcohol-related liver disease treatment. It is to be hoped that this article will prove beneficial for the treatment of alcohol-related liver disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gut Microbiota, Diet, and Immunity: Investigating the Connections and Implications for Disease Development: 2nd Edition)
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12 pages, 1657 KiB  
Review
The Gut Microbiome’s Influence on Incretins and Impact on Blood Glucose Control
by Ajay S. Dulai, Mildred Min and Raja K. Sivamani
Biomedicines 2024, 12(12), 2719; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12122719 - 27 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1088
Abstract
Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have been increasing in prevalence, causing complications and strain on our healthcare systems. Notably, gut dysbiosis is implicated as a contributing factor in obesity, T2DM, and chronic inflammatory diseases. A pharmacology exists which modulates the incretin [...] Read more.
Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have been increasing in prevalence, causing complications and strain on our healthcare systems. Notably, gut dysbiosis is implicated as a contributing factor in obesity, T2DM, and chronic inflammatory diseases. A pharmacology exists which modulates the incretin pathway to improve glucose control; this has proven to be beneficial in patients with obesity and T2DM. However, it is unclear how the gut microbiome may regulate insulin resistance, glucose control, and metabolic health. In this narrative review, we aim to discuss how the gut microbiome can modulate incretin pathways and related mechanisms to control glucose. To investigate this, Google Scholar and PubMed databases were searched using key terms and phrases related to the microbiome and its effects on insulin and glucose control. Emerging research has shown that several bacteria, such as Akkermansia and MN-Gup, have GLP-1-agonistic properties capable of reducing hyperglycemia. While more human research is needed to prove clinical benefit and identify long-term implications on health, the usage of pre-, pro-, and postbiotics has the potential to improve glucose control. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gut Microbiota, Diet, and Immunity: Investigating the Connections and Implications for Disease Development: 2nd Edition)
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