Editorial: The Role of the Gut Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Jiayin Yao ^*

• The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China

Two review articles in this collection systematically summarize the current state of research. The first, titled "Targeting gut microbiota dysbiosis in inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review of current evidence," provides a comprehensive evaluation of therapeutic strategies aimed at modulating gut microbiota dysbiosis. The review emphasizes the potential of probiotics, prebiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), and dietary interventions in restoring microbial balance and improving clinical outcomes in IBD patients. Notably, the authors highlight the promising results of FMT in inducing remission in ulcerative colitis, as supported by recent clinical trials (1).The second review, "Exploring the role of IL-1β in inflammatory bowel disease pathogenesis," delves into the role of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β in driving intestinal inflammation. The authors discuss how IL-1β contributes to mucosal barrier dysfunction, immune cell activation, and fibrosis in IBD. They also explore the potential of IL-1β-targeted therapies, such as anakinra and canakinumab, in mitigating disease severity. This review builds on previous findings that IL-1β signaling is a key mediator of inflammation in both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (2).The original research articles in this collection offer groundbreaking insights into the metabolic and immunological aspects of the gut microbiota-gut-brain axis in IBD. The first study, "Alterations in tryptophan metabolism and de novo NAD+ biosynthesis within the microbiota-gut-brain axis in chronic intestinal inflammation," investigates the metabolic changes associated with chronic intestinal inflammation. The authors reveal significant alterations in tryptophan metabolism and NAD+ biosynthesis pathways, which are critical for maintaining intestinal homeostasis. These findings suggest that targeting these metabolic pathways could offer new therapeutic avenues for IBD management. This study aligns with earlier research demonstrating the role of tryptophan metabolites, such as kynurenine, in regulating immune responses and gut-brain communication (3).The second original study, "The association of three vaccination doses with reduced gastrointestinal symptoms after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infections in patients with inflammatory bowel disease," examines the impact of COVID-19 vaccination on gastrointestinal symptoms in IBD patients. The findings indicate that three doses of mRNA vaccines are associated with a significant reduction in postinfection gastrointestinal symptoms, underscoring the importance of vaccination in this vulnerable population. This study adds to the growing body of evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines in IBD patients (4).The studies featured in this Research Topic not only deepen our understanding of the gut microbiota-gut-brain axis in IBD but also pave the way for future research and therapeutic innovations. For instance, the exploration of microbial metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and secondary bile acids, holds promise for developing targeted therapies that restore gut-brain axis homeostasis. Additionally, the integration of multi-omics approaches, including metagenomics, metabolomics, and transcriptomics, could provide a more comprehensive understanding of the complex interactions underlying IBD pathogenesis.Moreover, the potential of psychobiotics-live microorganisms with mental health benefits-in modulating the gut-brain axis offers an exciting avenue for addressing the psychological comorbidities often associated with IBD, such as anxiety and depression.Recent studies have demonstrated the efficacy of certain probiotic strains, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, in alleviating both gastrointestinal and neuropsychiatric symptoms in IBD patients (5).In conclusion, the gut microbiota-gut-brain axis represents a promising frontier in IBD research, offering novel insights into the disease's pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets. The studies presented in this Research Topic underscore the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in unraveling the complexities of IBD and developing personalized treatment strategies. As research in this field continues to evolve, we anticipate significant advancements in precision medicine and improved quality of life for IBD patients.Finally, we extend our gratitude to all authors, reviewers, and readers for their invaluable contributions to this Research Topic. We hope that these findings will inspire further research and foster collaboration among scientists, clinicians, and patients to advance our understanding and management of IBD.