Nutrients, Gut Microbiome, and Intestinal Inflammation

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract contributes to nutrient ingestion, endocrine regulation and immunity. The gut microbiome plays a critical role in nutrients integration and regulation of immunity and endocrine functions. Generally, the health status of the GI tract is achieved through the functions of the mucosa, which ensures the integrity of the intestinal epithelial structural barrier and the stability of the gut microbiome through the balance of immune response and immune tolerance. However, the gut microbiome often becomes disordered during intestinal inflammation, which leads to damages of the intestinal structural barrier, alterations of digestion and absorption, and disturbance in immune and endocrine systems. Among the various factors treating intestinal inflammation, nutrients have a significant influence in either a positive or a negative way, since the GI tract is constantly exposed to various dietary components daily. Recent studies have shown that selected nutrients, food contaminants or dietary patterns may improve intestinal inflammation by regulating the gut microbiome. The underlying mechanisms are largely unknown and deserved to be investigated.

In this Research Topic, we encourage manuscripts that explore the effects of various types of nutrients or food ingredients on various aspects of intestinal inflammation in vivo and in vitro, including but not limited to the gut microbiome, intestinal immunity, and intestinal epithelial function. The nutrient components tested range from carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals to other substances in food, such as biologically active substances, food additives and food contaminants. In addition, the influence of different dietary patterns (such as ketogenic diet, intermittent fasting, etc.) also deserves more attention. This special issue welcomes all original research and review articles focusing on the interaction between nutrients and the gut microbiome to regulate intestinal inflammation.

Welcome subtopics include (but are not limited to):
• The effects and mechanisms of nutrients, food contaminants or dietary patterns in experimental models of gut diseases.
• Molecular mechanisms of interactions between nutrients and gut microbiome under the condition of intestinal inflammation.
• Explore biomarkers of intestinal inflammation from clinical data, such as key gut microbiome, changes in nutrient compositions, cytokines or combine two or more data.
• Application of nutrients or food components in the regulation of intestinal inflammation in clinical settings.
• Explore a new model for studying the relationship among nutrients, gut microbiome, and intestinal inflammation in vivo and in vitro.