Gut microbiota (GM) (GM)

The gut ecosystem, primarily known as the gut microbiota, is a complex and dynamic community of trillions of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and archaea, residing in the human gastrointestinal tract (bmj.com, 2021). It functions as a "forgotten organ" that plays a critical role in host physiology by aiding in the digestion of complex carbohydrates, synthesizing essential vitamins such as K and B12, and regulating the development and activity of the immune system (nih.gov, 2017). Dysbiosis, or an imbalance in this ecosystem, is linked to a wide range of conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease, metabolic disorders like obesity and diabetes, and even neurological and oncological diseases (mdpi.com, 2023). In pharmacology, the gut microbiota is an emerging therapeutic target, as it can directly metabolize drugs—a field known as pharmacomicrobiomics—thereby influencing their efficacy and toxicity (digbihealth.com, 2022). Therapeutic strategies targeting the gut ecosystem include the use of probiotics, prebiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), and small molecules designed to modulate microbial metabolic pathways (nih.gov, 2023). However, the high inter-individual variability of the microbiome presents significant challenges for standardized therapeutic development and patient selection (nih.gov, 2021).

Other names

Gut microbiomeIntestinal floraGut floraGastrointestinal microbiotaGut ecosystem

Modulation of microbial community composition and metabolic activity to restore homeostasis or influence host physiology.