Neuropeptides and the microbiota-gut-brain axis

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Gastroenterology
• Microbiology

Background:

• Neuropeptides mediate communication within the nervous system and between cells.
• They play a role in bidirectional gut-brain communication, potentially influencing gut microbiota activity.
• Neuropeptides and gut hormones share receptors, often converging in biological implications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the role of neuropeptides in the microbiota-gut-brain axis.
• To understand how neuropeptides influence gut microbiota and its interaction with the brain.
• To identify neuropeptides as potential messengers in orchestrating this axis.

Main Methods:

• Review of current research on information carriers in the gut-brain axis.
• Analysis of neuropeptide functions as neurotransmitters and gut hormones.
• Examination of specific neuropeptides like NPY and PYY in relation to gut microbiota.

Main Results:

• Neuropeptides like NPY are present throughout the gut-brain axis.
• Short-chain fatty acids from microbiota influence PYY-releasing cells.
• NPY may modulate the gut microbiota's impact on inflammation, pain, and behavior.

Conclusions:

• Biologically active peptides are likely crucial neural and endocrine messengers.
• Neuropeptides are poised to orchestrate the microbiota-gut-brain axis.
• Further analysis is needed to fully elucidate neuropeptide impact on microbiota-gut-brain interactions.