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Review
. 2020 Apr 5;133(7):826-833.
doi: 10.1097/CM9.0000000000000706.

Gut hormones in microbiota-gut-brain cross-talk

Li-Juan Sun  1   2 , Jing-Nan Li  3 , Yong-Zhan Nie  1
Affiliations
Review

Gut hormones in microbiota-gut-brain cross-talk

Li-Juan Sun et al. Chin Med J (Engl). .

Abstract

The homeostasis of the gut-brain axis has been shown to exert several effects on physiological and psychological health. The gut hormones released by enteroendocrine cells scattered throughout the gastrointestinal tract are important signaling molecules within the gut-brain axis. The interaction between gut microbiota and gut hormones has been greatly appreciated in gut-brain cross-talk. The microbiota plays an essential role in modulating many gut-brain axis-related diseases, ranging from gastrointestinal disorders to psychiatric diseases. Similarly, gut hormones also play pleiotropic and important roles in maintaining health, and are key signals involved in gut-brain axis. More importantly, gut microbiota can affect the release and functions of gut hormones. This review highlights the role of gut microbiota in the gut-brain axis and focuses on how microbiota-related gut hormones modulate various physiological functions. Future studies could target the microbiota-hormones-gut brain axis to develop novel therapeutics for different psychiatric and gastrointestinal disorders, such as obesity, anxiety, and depression.

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Conflict of interest statement

None.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The known bidirectional pathways of interaction between the gut microbiota and brain. The pathways of gut microbiota interact with brain include HPA axis and ANS through which the brain regulates gut microbiota. Through vagus nerve and systemic circulation microbiota-derived products, metabolites, neuroactive substances, gut hormones, and inflammatory factors modulate the function of CNS. HPA: Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis; ANS: Autonomic nervous system; CNS: Central nervous system.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Interactions between gut microbiota and EEC cells. The gut microbiota affects EEC cells through microbiota-derived products (eg, LPS), microbiota-derived metabolites, including SCFA, indole and secondary bile acids, in addition, some microbiota is involved in hormones metabolism. EEC cells can also release gut hormones, and part of hormones released into gastrointestinal lumen can influence gut microbiota. EEC: Enteroendocrine cells; GPBAR1: G protein-coupled bile acid receptors 1; FFAR2: Free fatty acid receptor 2; FFAR3: Free fatty acid receptor 3; PYY: Peptide YY; GLP-1: Glucagon-like peptide 1; GLP-2: Glucagon-like peptide 2; GIP: Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide; TLR4: Toll-like receptor 4; 5-HT: Serotonin; LPS: Lipopolysaccharide; SCFA: Short chain fatty acid; GIP: Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide.
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