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. 2023 Dec 19;25(1):41.
doi: 10.3390/ijms25010041.

The Role of the Gut Microbiota in Anorexia Nervosa in Children and Adults-Systematic Review

Dana-Teodora Anton-Păduraru  1   2 , Felicia Trofin  3   4 , Eduard Vasile Nastase  4   5 , Radu Stefan Miftode  6   7 , Ionela-Larisa Miftode  4   5 , Mioara Florentina Trandafirescu  8 , Elena Cojocaru  2   9 , Elena Țarcă  2   10 , Dana Elena Mindru  1   2 , Olivia Simona Dorneanu  3   4
Affiliations

The Role of the Gut Microbiota in Anorexia Nervosa in Children and Adults-Systematic Review

Dana-Teodora Anton-Păduraru et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

Among the factors incriminated in the appearance of eating disorders, intestinal microbiota has recently been implicated. Now there is evidence that the composition of gut microbiota is different in anorexia nervosa. We gathered many surveys on the changes in the profile of gut microbiota in patients with anorexia nervosa. This review comprehensively examines the contemporary experimental evidence concerning the bidirectional communication between gut microbiota and the brain. Drawing from recent breakthroughs in this area of research, we propose that the gut microbiota significantly contributes to the intricate interplay between the body and the brain, thereby contributing to overall healthy homeostasis while concurrently impacting disease risk, including anxiety and mood disorders. Particular attention is devoted to elucidating the structure and functional relevance of the gut microbiota in the context of Anorexia Nervosa.

Keywords: adults; anorexia; children; gut–brain axis; microbiota.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Protective and risk factors influencing AN prevalence.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The review flowchart.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Comparison between gut microbiome in healthy individuals and in anorectic patients.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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