Gut microbiota maintains a symbiotic relationship with the host and is important to health. Many studies have shown that gut microbiota regulates many metabolic processes in the host including energy homeostasis, glucose metabolism, and lipid metabolism. A range of tiny molecules, including short-chain fatty acids, bile acids, amino acids, and indole, which may be absorbed and transported to the liver through the circulatory system, are produced by the gut microbiota and play a crucial role in the metabolism of glucose and lipids.
Glucose and lipid homeostasis is the basis for maintaining the life activities of the body. The imbalance of glucose and lipid homeostasis exacerbates the occurrence and development of metabolic syndromes and is becoming a major public health concern worldwide. Although the proper function of whole-body glucose and lipid metabolism depends on the high cooperation among various tissues and organs, the liver, as one of the major metabolic organs, is responsible for maintaining energy and nutrient homeostasis upon alterations of physiological conditions. Therefore, an in-depth understanding of the regulatory mechanism of glucose and lipid metabolism in the liver can provide potential strategies for the prevention and treatment of metabolic disorders.
The gut-liver axis refers to the intricate bidirectional communication between the gastrointestinal tract and the liver via the biliary tract, the portal vein, and systemic circulation. Evidence is increasing that gut microbiota and its metabolites are involved in the pathophysiology of glucose and lipid disorders. Moreover, other than microbial metabolites, liver components such as bile acids have been found to influence the gut microbial community and function, which in turn affect liver health. Therefore, targeting the gut microbiota and relevant liver-gut axis metabolic pathways would be effective treatments for liver glucose-lipid metabolism disorders.
This research topic aims to document recent advances in understanding the mechanisms, physiological and pathological processes involved in the complex relationships between functional nutrition, gut microbiota, and its metabolites and potential avenues for the prevention and treatment of glucose and lipid disorders. We welcome the submission of Original Research, Review, and Mini-Review articles on the following sub-topics:
- The mechanism of the gut microbiota regulating liver homeostasis.
- Interaction of gut microbiota and its metabolites involved in the occurrence and development of hepatic metabolic disorders.
- Gut microbiota composition and its relationship with the liver microenvironment.
- Diet patterns and natural bioactive components alter the gut microbiome with implications for liver metabolic status and immunity.
- Targeting gut microbiota and its metabolites modulated by nutritional compounds to prevent glucose and lipid disorders.
- Interaction between bile acids and gut microbiota and its impact on host metabolism.
Gut microbiota maintains a symbiotic relationship with the host and is important to health. Many studies have shown that gut microbiota regulates many metabolic processes in the host including energy homeostasis, glucose metabolism, and lipid metabolism. A range of tiny molecules, including short-chain fatty acids, bile acids, amino acids, and indole, which may be absorbed and transported to the liver through the circulatory system, are produced by the gut microbiota and play a crucial role in the metabolism of glucose and lipids.
Glucose and lipid homeostasis is the basis for maintaining the life activities of the body. The imbalance of glucose and lipid homeostasis exacerbates the occurrence and development of metabolic syndromes and is becoming a major public health concern worldwide. Although the proper function of whole-body glucose and lipid metabolism depends on the high cooperation among various tissues and organs, the liver, as one of the major metabolic organs, is responsible for maintaining energy and nutrient homeostasis upon alterations of physiological conditions. Therefore, an in-depth understanding of the regulatory mechanism of glucose and lipid metabolism in the liver can provide potential strategies for the prevention and treatment of metabolic disorders.
The gut-liver axis refers to the intricate bidirectional communication between the gastrointestinal tract and the liver via the biliary tract, the portal vein, and systemic circulation. Evidence is increasing that gut microbiota and its metabolites are involved in the pathophysiology of glucose and lipid disorders. Moreover, other than microbial metabolites, liver components such as bile acids have been found to influence the gut microbial community and function, which in turn affect liver health. Therefore, targeting the gut microbiota and relevant liver-gut axis metabolic pathways would be effective treatments for liver glucose-lipid metabolism disorders.
This research topic aims to document recent advances in understanding the mechanisms, physiological and pathological processes involved in the complex relationships between functional nutrition, gut microbiota, and its metabolites and potential avenues for the prevention and treatment of glucose and lipid disorders. We welcome the submission of Original Research, Review, and Mini-Review articles on the following sub-topics:
- The mechanism of the gut microbiota regulating liver homeostasis.
- Interaction of gut microbiota and its metabolites involved in the occurrence and development of hepatic metabolic disorders.
- Gut microbiota composition and its relationship with the liver microenvironment.
- Diet patterns and natural bioactive components alter the gut microbiome with implications for liver metabolic status and immunity.
- Targeting gut microbiota and its metabolites modulated by nutritional compounds to prevent glucose and lipid disorders.
- Interaction between bile acids and gut microbiota and its impact on host metabolism.
