Role of Gut Microbiota-Gut Hormone Axis in the Pathophysiology of Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

Abstract

Gut microbiota exert a pivotal influence on various functions including gastrointestinal (GI) motility, metabolism, nutrition, immunity, and the neuroendocrine system in the host. These effects are mediated by not only short-chain fatty acids produced by microbiota but also gut hormones and inflammatory signaling by enteroendocrine and immune cells under the influence of the microbiota. GI motility is orchestrated by the enteric nervous system and hormonal networks, and disturbance of GI motility plays an important role in the pathophysiology of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs). In this context, microbiota-associated mediators are considered to act on specific receptors, thus affecting the enteric nervous system and, subsequently, GI motility. Thus, the pathophysiology of FGIDs is based on alterations of the gut microbiota/gut hormone axis, which have crucial effects on GI motility.

Keywords: Enteric nervous system; Functional gastrointestinal disorders; Gastrointestinal hormones; Irritable bowel syndrome; Microbiome.

Figure

Interaction among gut microbiota, enteroendocrine cells, immune cells, and enteric nervous system (ENS). SCFA, short-chain fatty acid; FA, fatty acid; GPR, G protein-coupled receptor; TLR, toll-like receptor; GLP-1, glucagon-like peptide 1; PYY, peptide YY; 5-HT, 5-hydroxytryptamine; CCK, cholecystokinin; GIP, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide/gastric inhibitory polypeptide; -R, receptor.