Microbes, oxytocin and stress: Converging players regulating eating behavior

Abstract

Oxytocin is a peptide‐hormone extensively studied for its multifaceted biological functions and has recently gained attention for its role in eating behavior, through its action as an anorexigenic neuropeptide. Moreover, the gut microbiota is involved in oxytocinergic signaling through the brain‐gut axis, specifically in the regulation of social behavior. The gut microbiota is also implicated in appetite regulation and is postulated to play a role in central regulation of hedonic eating. In this review, we provide an overview on oxytocin and its individual links with the microbiome, the homeostatic and non‐homeostatic regulation of eating behavior as well as social behavior and stress.

Enteric Dysbiosis in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder and Associated Response to Stress

“…The products of the gut microbiota have also been suggested to play a role in the modulation of the GBA. For instance, the GBA helps regulate the release of the peptide hormone oxytocin, which is responsible for biological responses such as mood, stress, and pain [17]. Stress on the brain can alter microbiome diversity and abundance [18,19].…”

The Embodied Microbiome

“…Sociability [42,[63][64][65] Gut microbiota are involved in the regulation of oxytocin-signaling, and microbiome composition can affect social behavior.…”

The Embodied Microbiome

“…Fear regulation [33,61,62] The microbiome regulates fear extinction, which is necessary for healthy, balanced fear responses. Sociability [42,[63][64][65] Gut microbiota are involved in the regulation of oxytocin-signaling, and microbiome composition can affect social behavior.…”