Abstract
It is widely recognized that the microorganisms inhabiting our gastrointestinal tract—the gut microbiota—deeply affect the pathophysiology of the host. Gut microbiota composition is mostly modulated by diet, and gut microorganisms communicate with the different organs and tissues of the human host by synthesizing hormones and regulating their release. Herein, we will provide an updated review on the most important classes of gut microbiota-derived hormones and their sensing by host receptors, critically discussing their impact on host physiology. Additionally, the debated interplay between microbial hormones and the development of cardiovascular disease will be thoroughly analysed and discussed.
Highlights
Humans have evolved to harbour trillions of microorganisms on and within their body
The same research group showed, using magnetic resonance spectroscopy, that Lactobacillus rhamnosus JB-1 treatment in mice was able to increase gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) cerebral concentration by about 25% [71]. Despite these promising experimental results, a clinical study failed to show any effect on stress and cognitive performance by Lactobacillus rhamnosus JB-1 given to healthy male volunteers [72]
short chain fatty acids (SCFA), butyrate, was shown to play a role in the suppression of inflammatory and allergic responses by inducing the differentiation of regulatory T cells [163]. These results provide a molecular insight into the therapeutic use of butyrate to ameliorate chronic inflammatory conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) [134]
Summary
Humans have evolved to harbour trillions of microorganisms on and within their body. Consortia made up of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses inhabit several areas of the body such as the lungs [1], urinary tract [2], vagina [3], and skin [4], the largest microbial community is found in the intestine [5]. The biological of thehere majority bacterial remains the hostdefined, metabolism, disorders arethat well-known contributors the development poorly it has and beenmetabolic widely demonstrated the gut microbiota canininfluence the host of in many ways: it modulates the immune defence [26] and provides protection against pathogens [27]; metabolizes bile acids (BAs) and xenobiotics [28,29]; it regulates intestinal homeostasis [30,31], and brain function [32] and bone density [33]; it synthesizes amino acids, short chain fatty acids (SCFA) and vitamins [34].
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