Gut microbiota metabolite

Gut microbiota metabolites are a diverse array of small molecules produced by the metabolic activities of the intestinal microbiome from dietary and endogenous precursors. These compounds, including short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), secondary bile acids, and tryptophan derivatives, function as critical chemical messengers in the gut-organ axes, influencing host immunity, metabolism, and neurological health (Fan & Pedersen, 2021). They exert biological effects by interacting with various host targets, such as G protein-coupled receptors (e.g., GPR41, GPR43) and nuclear receptors like the Farnesoid X receptor (FXR) (Koh et al., 2016). While individual metabolites like butyrate or trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) are specific focal points for therapy, the term gut microbiota metabolite represents a broad category of substances rather than a single therapeutic target (Nicholson et al., 2012). Consequently, pharmacological strategies involve modulating these metabolite levels through prebiotics, probiotics, or small molecule inhibitors to treat conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, and cardiovascular disease (Tang et al., 2013).

Other names

Microbial metabolitesGut-derived metabolitesPostbioticsMicrobiome-derived metabolites

Gut microbiota metabolites act as signaling molecules that bind to host receptors such as G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and nuclear receptors, or serve as substrates and inhibitors for host enzymes to modulate physiological processes (Krautkramer et al., 2021).