The microbiota-gut-brain axis
Today we look at a recently published paper about the gut brain axis and the microbiota.
The journal:
Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience
The paper:
The Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis in Health and Disease and Its Implications for Translational Research (July 2021)
The authors:
Melanie Anna Schächtle and Stephan Patrick Rosshart
Take-home points
This paper provides an overview of the microbiota-gut-brain axis, a bidirectional communication network between the gut microbiota, the enteric nervous system (ENS), and the central nervous system (CNS). The authors discuss the importance of this axis in maintaining normal physiological functions and its potential role in the pathogenesis of various diseases, such as neurological disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, and metabolic disorders.
The authors explain how the gut microbiota can influence the ENS and CNS through various mechanisms, such as the production of metabolites, immune modulation, and neural signaling. They also describe how the ENS can affect the microbiota through the regulation of gastrointestinal motility and secretion.
The paper describes several ways in which the microbiota can affect neurotransmitter function, including:
Production of metabolites:
The gut microbiota can produce various metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids, that can affect the production and availability of neurotransmitters. For example, short-chain fatty acids can increase the production of serotonin, which is involved in regulating mood and behavior.
Modulation of immune function:
The gut microbiota can modulate immune function, which can in turn affect the production and availability of neurotransmitters. For example, inflammation can reduce the availability of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine.
Regulation of gut motility:
The gut microbiota can regulate gut motility, which can affect the release and absorption of neurotransmitters in the gut.
Modulation of the vagus nerve:
The vagus nerve is an important component of the gut-brain axis that regulates communication between the gut and the brain. The gut microbiota can modulate the activity of the vagus nerve, which can affect the production and availability of neurotransmitters.
Moreover, the study highlights the potential for modulating this axis for therapeutic purposes. For example, the use of probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation may have potential in the management of various diseases. However, the authors caution that more research is needed to better understand the mechanisms underlying the microbiota-gut-brain axis and to determine the optimal interventions for specific diseases.
Conclusion
Overall, this paper emphasizes the importance of the microbiota-gut-brain axis in maintaining normal physiological functions and its potential role in the pathogenesis of various diseases. It also highlights the potential for modulating this axis for therapeutic purposes, but further research is needed to better understand the mechanisms and optimal interventions.