How gut microbes talk to organs: The role of endocrine and nervous routes

Abstract

BackgroundChanges in gut microbiota composition and activity have been associated with different metabolic disorders, including obesity, diabetes, and cardiometabolic disorders. Recent evidence suggests that different organs are directly under the influence of bacterial metabolites that may directly or indirectly regulate physiological and pathological processes.Scope of reviewWe reviewed seminal as well as recent papers showing that gut microbes influence energy, glucose and lipid homeostasis by controlling different metabolic routes such as endocrine, enteric and central nervous system. These dialogues are discussed in the context of obesity and diabetes but also for brain pathologies and neurodegenerative disorders.Major conclusionsThe recent advances in gut microbiota investigation as well as the discovery of specific metabolites interacting with host cells has led to the identification of novel inter-organ communication during metabolic disturbances. This suggests that gut microbes may be viewed as “novel” future therapeutic partners.This article is part of a special issue on microbiota.

Lysine Restriction Affects Feed Intake and Amino Acid Metabolism via Gut Microbiome in Piglets

“…Diet rapidly and reproducibly influences gut microbial compositions, structure, and metabolism [30-32], which may further control food intake via targeting hormones [13, 33]. In this study, we firstly reported that lysine restriction enhanced intestinal microbial community evenness (Shannon H) and richness (PD and chao1).…”

“…Furthermore, L-cells produced anorexigenic peptides (i.e. glucagon-like peptide-1 and Peptide YY), CCK, orexigenic hormones ghrelin, and short-chain acids/G-protein coupled receptors are also identified to serve as potential mechanism of gut microbes-controlling feed intake [13, 18, 19]. PICRUSt analysis predicted that dietary lysine restriction and altered intestinal microbiome might influence endocrine system, which further mediated feed intake in piglets.…”

“…Microbial mechanism underpinning the body of evidence indicates that various nutrients promote gut health and host metabolites and dietary factors facilitate the colonization of specific microbes [11]. Meanwhile, various organs are directly under the influence of bacterial metabolites that may further regulate physiological processes, such as endocrinology and feed intake regulation [12, 13]. Microbial communities are now suspected of contributing to a myriad of epidemics of chronic diseases [14-17] and nutrients-mediated gut microbiome provides potential development of nutritional strategies for disease prevention and treatment.…”

“…Microbial communities are now suspected of contributing to a myriad of epidemics of chronic diseases [14-17] and nutrients-mediated gut microbiome provides potential development of nutritional strategies for disease prevention and treatment. Currently, various hormones have been identified to serve as potential mechanism of gut microbes-controlling feed intake, such as leptin, glucagon-like peptide-1, Peptide YY, cholecystokinin (CCK), and ghrelin [13, 18, 19]. However, little evidence has concluded the effects of dietary lysine level on gut microbiome and its potential role in feeding behavior.…”

Obesity and the Microbiome - A Surgeon's Perspective

“…The type of bacteria present in the gut regulates this aspect of fatty acid metabolism as specific bacteria use particular SCFAs as metabolites. 16 Bacterial fermentation of dietary fibers in the intestine is a major source of SCFAs, making dietary fibers key players in mediating bacteria communication with the organs, thereby modulating host metabolism.…”