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Updated: Jun 19, 2025

An In Vitro Batch-culture Model to Estimate the Effects of Interventional Regimens on Human Fecal Microbiota
Published on: July 31, 2019
Gut microbiota-derived fatty acid and sterol metabolites: biotransformation and immunomodulatory functions
Haohao Zhang1, Yadong Xie1, Fei Cao1
1Key Laboratory of Multi-Cell Systems, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
Abstract:
Commensal microorganisms in the human gut produce numerous metabolites by using small molecules derived from the host or diet as precursors. Host or dietary lipid molecules are involved in energy metabolism and maintaining the structural integrity of cell membranes. Notably, gut microbes can convert these lipids into bioactive signaling molecules through their biotransformation and synthesis pathways. These microbiota-derived lipid metabolites can affect host physiology by influencing the body's immune and metabolic processes. This review aims to summarize recent advances in the microbial transformation and host immunomodulatory functions of these lipid metabolites, with a special focus on fatty acids and steroids produced by our gut microbiota.
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