Title:Interaction between Microbes and Host Intestinal Health: Modulation by Dietary Nutrients and Gut-Brain-Endocrine-Immune Axis
VOLUME: 16 ISSUE: 7
Author(s):Jingshu Chen, Yuan Li, Yanan Tian, Chang Huang, Defa Li, Qing Zhong and Xi Ma
Affiliation:Center for Autophagy Research, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390, USA., State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Ministry of Agriculture Feed Industry Centre, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
Keywords:Gut-brain-endocrine-immune axis, Intestine, Metabolism, Microbes, Nutrients, Reactions.
Abstract:The mammalian gut, the site of digestion and nutrients absorption, harbors diverse microbes
that play an essential role in maintaining physiological homeostasis of the gastrointestinal system.
These commensal microbes are important for the normal development of the host immune system and
alteration of the microbiota of gastrointestinal system has been found to play an important role in the development of obesity,
metabolic syndromes such as type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Several recent studies with mouse models
and in humans have demonstrated that intestinal microbiota has important role in host metabolism by regulating energy
absorption and modulating the endocrine functions. A variety of nutrients and metabolites derived from commensal bacteria
have been proved to be important regulators in improving gut barrier functions and immune homeostasis. Here we review
current literature on the interactions between microbes and host in the Gastrointestinal (GI) tract and based on these
interactions we proposed a hypothesis in which the microbiota interacts with the host gastrointestine through a gut-brainendocrine-
immune system. By understanding this system, we should be in better position to develop treatment for metabolic
diseases and inflammation in human and animals.
