New Insights into the Gut Microbiota in Neurodegenerative Diseases from the Perspective of Redox Homeostasis

Abstract

An imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants in the body can lead to oxidative stress, which is one of the major causes of neurodegenerative diseases. The gut microbiota contains trillions of beneficial bacteria that play an important role in maintaining redox homeostasis. In the last decade, the microbiota–gut–brain axis has emerged as a new field that has revolutionized the study of the pathology, diagnosis, and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Indeed, a growing number of studies have found that communication between the brain and the gut microbiota can be accomplished through the endocrine, immune, and nervous systems. Importantly, dysregulation of the gut microbiota has been strongly associated with the development of oxidative stress-mediated neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, a deeper understanding of the relationship between the gut microbiota and redox homeostasis will help explain the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases from a new perspective and provide a theoretical basis for proposing new therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we will describe the role of oxidative stress and the gut microbiota in neurodegenerative diseases and the underlying mechanisms by which the gut microbiota affects redox homeostasis in the brain, leading to neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, we will discuss the potential applications of maintaining redox homeostasis by modulating the gut microbiota to treat neurodegenerative diseases, which could open the door for new therapeutic approaches to combat neurodegenerative diseases.

The role of neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative diseases: current understanding and future therapeutic targets

“…Certain strains of probiotics, including Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, which are derived from the gut microbiota, possess the capability to produce antioxidants, vitamins, and bioactive molecules. This ability aids in the maintenance of redox homeostasis and helps prevent diseases that are associated with oxidative stress (Wang et al, 2022). Recognizing the role of gut microbiota in these illnesses is important for devising new therapies, including antibiotics, probiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation to preserve a balanced gut microbiota and potentially enhance outcomes for NDs.…”

GLP-1 Analogs, SGLT-2, and DPP-4 Inhibitors: A Triad of Hope for Alzheimer’s Disease Therapy

“…An increasing body of research has highlighted the role of the gut microbiota in modulating the oxidative/antioxidant equilibrium within the central nervous system (CNS) [57][58][59].…”

The role of gut microbiota in intestinal disease: from an oxidative stress perspective

“…The dysbiosis of gut microbiota has been found to be associated with the generation of ROS, which specifically interact with cysteine redox switches present in proteins ( Yardeni et al, 2019 ; Ballard and Towarnicki, 2020 ; Wang et al, 2022a ). This phenomenon induces modifications in immune responses, resulting in DNA impairment and provoking inflammation within the gastrointestinal tract ( Ballard and Towarnicki, 2020 ).…”