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Related Concept Videos

Gut-Brain Axis01:22

Gut-Brain Axis

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The gut–brain axis is a bidirectional communication system that connects the gastrointestinal tract and the brain. This interaction is mediated through multiple pathways, including the vagus nerve, hormonal signals, immune responses, and chemical messengers produced by gut microbes.Microbial Contributions to Brain FunctionGut microbiota contributes significantly to brain function by producing neuroactive compounds. These include neuroactive compounds that influence neurotransmitters such...
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Functions of the Gut Microbiota01:18

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The gut microbiota includes trillions of microorganisms that colonize the human gastrointestinal tract, including bacteria, archaea, viruses, and fungi. This complex ecosystem plays a critical role in maintaining intestinal and systemic health. Most of these microbes inhabit the large intestine, establishing a relatively stable and diverse community that contributes to gut homeostasis through various metabolic, immunological, and protective mechanisms.Dominant bacterial phyla, such as...
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Introduction to the Human Microbiota01:22

Introduction to the Human Microbiota

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Microorganisms colonize various regions of the human body, including the mouth, nasal passages, throat, stomach, intestines, urogenital tract, and skin. The total number of microbial cells is estimated to range from 10¹³ to 10¹⁴—comparable to, or exceeding, the number of human somatic cells. This host–microbiome relationship has led to the conceptualization of humans as supraorganisms, wherein microbial communities perform vital roles in development, immunity,...
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The Oral Microbiota01:27

The Oral Microbiota

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The oral microbiome includes a complex ecosystem comprising over 700 microbial species, identified through genomic sequencing and culture-based analyses to date. This community includes a core microbiome, found universally among individuals, and a variable component influenced by environmental factors such as diet, lifestyle, and host genetics. Site-specific conditions, including oxygen gradients, pH levels, and nutrient availability, determine the spatial distribution of these microorganisms...
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Microbiota of the Large Intestine01:27

Microbiota of the Large Intestine

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The large intestine hosts the most densely populated microbial ecosystem in the human body. This complex community primarily consists of anaerobic bacteria, with Bacillota (formerly Firmicutes) and Bacteroidota (formerly Bacteroidetes) as the predominant groups. The distribution of these microbes varies along different sections of the large intestine, influenced by local environmental factors such as oxygen availability and nutrient composition.The cecum, located at the beginning of the large...
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Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

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The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from...
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Microbiota and the gut-brain axis.

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  • 1J. Bienenstock, W. Kunze, and P. Forsythe are with the McMaster Brain-Body Institute at St Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. J. Bienenstock is with the Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. W. Kunze is with the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. P. Forsythe is with the Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. bienens@mcmaster.ca.

Nutrition Reviews
|July 16, 2015
PubMed
Summary

The gut microbiota influences brain function via the microbiota-gut-brain axis. Diet impacts gut microbes, affecting neurotransmitter production and host metabolism, potentially leading to new therapies.

Keywords:
behaviorbraindysbiosisgutmicrobiotaprobiotics.

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Neuroscience
  • Immunology
  • Metabolism

Background:

  • Gut microbiota composition influences the peripheral and central nervous systems, establishing a microbiota-gut-brain axis.
  • Dietary changes can alter gut microbiota profiles, consequently affecting host behavior.
  • Bidirectional communication exists between the nervous and immune systems, intricately linked with gut bacteria.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the relationship between gut microbiota, the nervous system, and host metabolism.
  • To understand how microbial metabolites like short-chain fatty acids impact physiological functions.
  • To investigate the potential of targeting the gut microbiota for therapeutic interventions.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on gut microbiota, nervous system function, and immune interactions.
  • Analysis of how microbial metabolites, such as gamma-aminobutyric acid and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), influence host physiology.
  • Exploration of the role of specific gut microbes and probiotics in modulating health outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Alterations in gut microbiota balance can affect neurotransmitter and SCFA production.
  • Short-chain fatty acids, particularly butyrate, play a crucial role in host metabolism, immune regulation, and nervous system function.
  • Gut microbiota composition varies individually but common alterations impact key molecular pathways.

Conclusions:

  • The gut microbiota is a significant modulator of brain function and host metabolism.
  • SCFAs are key mediators in the microbiota-gut-brain axis, influencing glucose homeostasis, immunity, and neural function.
  • Future research into probiotics and detailed microbiota knowledge may enable novel diet- and drug-based therapies.