Intestinal microbial ecosystem (GM) (GM)

The intestinal microbial ecosystem, commonly known as the gut microbiota, is a complex and dynamic community of microorganisms, including bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses, that inhabit the human gastrointestinal tract (NIH: PMC3426293). It serves as a critical mediator of host health by performing essential metabolic functions, such as the fermentation of dietary fibers into short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and the biosynthesis of vitamins like K and B12 (Nature Reviews Microbiology: 10.1038/s41579-020-0433-9). Beyond metabolism, the ecosystem plays a pivotal role in the maturation and regulation of the host immune system and provides a protective barrier against the colonization of enteric pathogens (PubMed: 29339383). Disruptions to this ecosystem, termed dysbiosis, are linked to a wide array of pathologies, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), obesity, type 2 diabetes, and Clostridioides difficile infection (Science: 10.1126/science.aay1803). As a therapeutic target, the microbiota is modulated through interventions like probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) to restore ecological balance and treat disease (The Lancet: 10.1016/S0140-6736(18)33052-X). Furthermore, the composition of the intestinal microbial ecosystem can significantly influence the pharmacokinetics and clinical efficacy of various drugs, including metformin and immune checkpoint inhibitors (Nature: 10.1038/s41586-019-1562-1).

Other names

Gut microbiotaIntestinal floraGut microbiomeGastrointestinal microbiotaIntestinal microflora

The therapeutic mechanism involves the restoration of microbial diversity, competitive exclusion of pathogens, and the modulation of microbial metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and bile acids to restore host homeostasis (PubMed: 30735631).