TY - JOUR
T1 - Gut–Brain Axis: Focus on Sex Differences in Neuroinflammation
AU - Caldarelli, Mario
AU - Rio, Pierluigi
AU - Marrone, Andrea
AU - Ocarino, Francesca
AU - Chiantore, Monica
AU - Candelli, Marcello
AU - Gasbarrini, Antonio
AU - Gambassi, Giovanni
AU - Cianci, Rossella
PY - 2024
Y1 - 2024
N2 - In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the concept of the “gut–brain axis”. In addition to well-studied diseases associated with an imbalance in gut microbiota, such as cancer, chronic inflammation, and cardiovascular diseases, research is now exploring the potential role of gut microbial dysbiosis in the onset and development of brain-related diseases. When the function of the intestinal barrier is altered by dysbiosis, the aberrant immune system response interacts with the nervous system, leading to a state of “neuroinflammation”. The gut microbiota–brain axis is mediated by inflammatory and immunological mechanisms, neurotransmitters, and neuroendocrine pathways. This narrative review aims to illustrate the molecular basis of neuroinflammation and elaborate on the concept of the gut–brain axis by virtue of analyzing the various metabolites produced by the gut microbiome and how they might impact the nervous system. Additionally, the current review will highlight how sex influences these molecular mechanisms. In fact, sex hormones impact the brain–gut microbiota axis at different levels, such as the central nervous system, the enteric nervous one, and enteroendocrine cells. A deeper understanding of the gut–brain axis in human health and disease is crucial to guide diagnoses, treatments, and preventive interventions.
AB - In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the concept of the “gut–brain axis”. In addition to well-studied diseases associated with an imbalance in gut microbiota, such as cancer, chronic inflammation, and cardiovascular diseases, research is now exploring the potential role of gut microbial dysbiosis in the onset and development of brain-related diseases. When the function of the intestinal barrier is altered by dysbiosis, the aberrant immune system response interacts with the nervous system, leading to a state of “neuroinflammation”. The gut microbiota–brain axis is mediated by inflammatory and immunological mechanisms, neurotransmitters, and neuroendocrine pathways. This narrative review aims to illustrate the molecular basis of neuroinflammation and elaborate on the concept of the gut–brain axis by virtue of analyzing the various metabolites produced by the gut microbiome and how they might impact the nervous system. Additionally, the current review will highlight how sex influences these molecular mechanisms. In fact, sex hormones impact the brain–gut microbiota axis at different levels, such as the central nervous system, the enteric nervous one, and enteroendocrine cells. A deeper understanding of the gut–brain axis in human health and disease is crucial to guide diagnoses, treatments, and preventive interventions.
KW - gut–brain axis
KW - neuroinflammation
KW - sex differences
KW - gut–brain axis
KW - neuroinflammation
KW - sex differences
UR - http://hdl.handle.net/10807/281236
U2 - 10.3390/ijms25105377
DO - 10.3390/ijms25105377
M3 - Article
SN - 1661-6596
VL - 25
SP - N/A-N/A
JO - International Journal of Molecular Sciences
JF - International Journal of Molecular Sciences
ER -