The human intestinal tract hosts an enormous variety of microorganisms actively shaping human health, collectively called gut microbiota (GM). Recent years have seen an explosion of interest in these microorganisms as they have been shown to influence human health, disease, and even drug responses. The liver and intestine are classically considered a unicum: they are interconnected via the portal vein which works as the main route for liver-derived bile acids, immunoglobulin, metabolic hormones, and even the GM re-circulation. During their journey in this so-called enterohepatic circulation, all these players mutually shape each other. Their homeostasis is responsible for appropriate liver function and intestinal fitness while disturbance of their relationship leads to dysbiosis, metabolic alterations, and increased intestinal permeability.
Another highly sophisticated communication network between host and gut microbes has also begun to emerge and there is now evidence of an axis of influence involving the intestine, liver, and the GM. In fact, the GM forms an intricate network together with the enteric and autonomic nervous system, neuroendocrine and neuroimmune cells of the CNS. Moreover, the GM produces a great number of (neuro-)chemicals that the brain uses to regulate several neurological processes, such as memory, learning, and even mood. It produces the majority of serotonin supply, which influences both gastrointestinal activities and mood. Moreover, from the fermentation of dietary fibers, the GM synthesize short-chain fatty acids, acting not only as energy supply and trophic factors in the colonic mucosa and in the modulation of Treg cell function but are also increasingly recognized as having neuroactive properties.
For all these reasons, metabolic dysregulation together with dysbiosis are central in the pathogenesis of diseases of the so-called gut-liver-brain axis and it is now becoming clear that dietary and therapeutic interventions targeting this it holds future promise for many gastrointestinal and neurological disorders. Investigating and understanding these topics is now an urgent priority for human health and wellbeing.
We invite authors to submit original research articles, reviews, mini-reviews, or perspectives that address any aspect of biological functions/activities influenced by the constant cross-talk amongst these three fascinating organs. Potential topics include but are not limited to:
• the pathophysiology of the gut-brain connection, including causative effects of the interactions between the gut and brain in gastrointestinal and psychiatric/neurological disorders (such as depression, Alzheimer’s disease, cognitive decline, Parkinson's disease, and autism spectrum disorder) and the role of nutrition
• The role of serotonin and its pathways in gastrointestinal disorders
• IBS, clinical and subclinical depression and the role of nutrition
• Disease of the gut-liver axis and the role of the microbiome in the pathogenesis of intestinal and hepatic diseases.
• Pathophysiology of Hepatic Encephalopathy and the role of the gut microbiota
• Genomics, metagenomics, and metabolomics analysis in humans or models of diseases of the gut-liver and liver-brain axis.
• Harnessing /reshaping the microbiome through nutrition and its potential role as adjuvant therapy in diseases of the gut-liver-brain axis.
The human intestinal tract hosts an enormous variety of microorganisms actively shaping human health, collectively called gut microbiota (GM). Recent years have seen an explosion of interest in these microorganisms as they have been shown to influence human health, disease, and even drug responses. The liver and intestine are classically considered a unicum: they are interconnected via the portal vein which works as the main route for liver-derived bile acids, immunoglobulin, metabolic hormones, and even the GM re-circulation. During their journey in this so-called enterohepatic circulation, all these players mutually shape each other. Their homeostasis is responsible for appropriate liver function and intestinal fitness while disturbance of their relationship leads to dysbiosis, metabolic alterations, and increased intestinal permeability.
Another highly sophisticated communication network between host and gut microbes has also begun to emerge and there is now evidence of an axis of influence involving the intestine, liver, and the GM. In fact, the GM forms an intricate network together with the enteric and autonomic nervous system, neuroendocrine and neuroimmune cells of the CNS. Moreover, the GM produces a great number of (neuro-)chemicals that the brain uses to regulate several neurological processes, such as memory, learning, and even mood. It produces the majority of serotonin supply, which influences both gastrointestinal activities and mood. Moreover, from the fermentation of dietary fibers, the GM synthesize short-chain fatty acids, acting not only as energy supply and trophic factors in the colonic mucosa and in the modulation of Treg cell function but are also increasingly recognized as having neuroactive properties.
For all these reasons, metabolic dysregulation together with dysbiosis are central in the pathogenesis of diseases of the so-called gut-liver-brain axis and it is now becoming clear that dietary and therapeutic interventions targeting this it holds future promise for many gastrointestinal and neurological disorders. Investigating and understanding these topics is now an urgent priority for human health and wellbeing.
We invite authors to submit original research articles, reviews, mini-reviews, or perspectives that address any aspect of biological functions/activities influenced by the constant cross-talk amongst these three fascinating organs. Potential topics include but are not limited to:
• the pathophysiology of the gut-brain connection, including causative effects of the interactions between the gut and brain in gastrointestinal and psychiatric/neurological disorders (such as depression, Alzheimer’s disease, cognitive decline, Parkinson's disease, and autism spectrum disorder) and the role of nutrition
• The role of serotonin and its pathways in gastrointestinal disorders
• IBS, clinical and subclinical depression and the role of nutrition
• Disease of the gut-liver axis and the role of the microbiome in the pathogenesis of intestinal and hepatic diseases.
• Pathophysiology of Hepatic Encephalopathy and the role of the gut microbiota
• Genomics, metagenomics, and metabolomics analysis in humans or models of diseases of the gut-liver and liver-brain axis.
• Harnessing /reshaping the microbiome through nutrition and its potential role as adjuvant therapy in diseases of the gut-liver-brain axis.
