Intestinal microecological disorder

Intestinal microecological disorder, frequently termed gut dysbiosis, is a pathological state characterized by an imbalance in the complex ecosystem of the gastrointestinal tract, comprising microbiota, the epithelial barrier, and the mucosal immune system. This condition is typically marked by a reduction in microbial diversity, the depletion of beneficial commensal species such as Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, and the compensatory overgrowth of opportunistic pathogens like Enterobacteriaceae. Biologically, the microecology is essential for maintaining metabolic homeostasis, synthesizing vitamins, and modulating systemic and local immune responses. Its disruption is a central driver in the pathogenesis of various conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), metabolic syndrome, and colorectal cancer. Therapeutic strategies do not target a single receptor but rather aim to restore ecological equilibrium through the use of probiotics, prebiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), and non-absorbable antibiotics. Understanding the intestinal microecology is critical for drug development, as the gut microbiome significantly influences the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of orally administered drugs through microbial metabolism.

Other names

Gut dysbiosisIntestinal dysbiosisDysbacteriosisIntestinal microecology imbalanceMicrobiota imbalance

Restoration of microbial taxonomic balance, competitive inhibition of pathogenic colonization, reinforcement of tight junction proteins in the epithelial barrier, and modulation of host inflammatory signaling via microbial metabolites like butyrate.