Gut Microbiome: A New Organ System in Body

Abstract

The gut microbiome is comprised of various types of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses naturally occurring in humans and animals as normal microflora. Gut microorganisms are typically host specific, and their number and type vary according to different host species and environment. Gut microbes contribute directly and/or indirectly to various physiological processes including immune modulation, regulation of various neurotransmitter, and hormones, as well as production of many antioxidants and metabolites. They also play a role as antibiotic, antiinflammatory, anti-diabetic, and anti-carcinogenic agents. Moreover, the ability of gut microbes to attenuate various systemic diseases like coronary heart disease, irritable bowel syndrome, metabolic diseases like diabetes mellitus, and infectious diseases like diarrhea has recently been reported. Current research findings have enough evidence to suggest that gut microbiome is a new organ system mainly due to the microorganisms' specific biochemical interaction with their hosts and their systemic integration into the host biology. Investigations into the potential ability of gut microbiome to influence metabolism inside their host via biochemical interaction with antibiotics and other drugs has recently been initiated. This chapter specifically focuses on the importance of gut microorganisms as a new organ system.

Biodiversity of Gut Microbiota: Impact of Various Host and Environmental Factors

“…If we use ciprofloxacin against urinary tract infection, it will not only attack the targeted bacteria like E. coli that is only present in the urinary tract; rather, this antibiotic will sweep off its targeted bacteria from all the sites where it traveled through to reach its target [ 70 ]. Moreover, ciprofloxacin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that can target most of the gram-negative and many of the gram-positive bacteria residing in different locations of our body.…”

A Revolutionizing Approach to Autism Spectrum Disorder Using the Microbiome

“…The gut microbes interact closely with multiple human cells and any imbalance in the microbes, otherwise known as dysbiosis, will have an impact on host key physiological processes and has a potential aetiological role in many health conditions [47]. The immense possibility of gut microbes in human health has prompted researches to highlight the importance of recognizing it as an individual organ system in the human body [49].…”

The Link between Obesity, Microbiota Dysbiosis, and Neurodegenerative Pathogenesis

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