Intestinal crosstalk between bile acids and microbiota in irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a relatively common functional gastrointestinal disease with a disturbance of intestinal bacteria. Bile acids, gut microbiota, and the host have close and complex interactions, which play a central role in modulating host immune and metabolic homeostasis. Recent studies suggested that the bile acid-gut microbiota axis played a key role in the development of IBS patients. In order to investigate the role of bile acids in the pathogenesis of IBS and present potentially relevant clinical implications, we conducted a literature search on intestinal interactions between bile acid and gut microbiota. The intestinal crosstalk between bile acids and gut microbiota shapes the compositional and functional alterations in IBS, manifesting as gut microbial dysbiosis, disturbed bile acid pathway, and alteration of the microbial metabolites. Collaboratively, bile acid conducts the pathogenesis of IBS through the alterations of the farnesoid-X receptor and G protein-coupled receptor. Diagnostic markers and treatments targeting the bile acids and its receptor showed promising potential in the management of IBS. Bile acids and gut microbiota play a key role in the development of IBS and make attractive biomarkers for treatments. Individualized therapy aiming at bile acids and its receptor may provide significant diagnostic and requires further investigation.