The gastrointestinal tract is a complex microbiome environment, significantly impacting human health through the production of various microbial metabolites. These small molecular byproducts are crucial in regulating critical body functions, including metabolism and immune responses, influencing overall well-being. Current research highlights the gut microbiome as a foundational aspect of health, proposing the gut wellness index as a universal indicator based on microbial diversity. Despite advances, many questions remain about how these metabolites directly affect physiological and pathological processes.

This Research Topic seeks to explore how microbial metabolites influence host health, particularly their direct roles in the development and progression of gastrointestinal and metabolic conditions. The objective is to comprehensively characterize microbial metabolites, decipher their biochemical pathways and interactions with host metabolic byproducts, and explore their therapeutic potential. This integrated approach aims to manage GI and metabolic health through the modulation of these metabolites. We invite contributions on the following specific themes:

• Utilizing cutting-edge methods like metagenomics and mass spectrometry for precise metabolite identification
• Probing how these metabolites affect cellular functions, including signaling pathways and gene regulation
• Analyzing differences in metabolite levels between healthy individuals and those with specific GI or metabolic disorders
• Assessing metabolite effects on diseases such as IBD, IBS, and colorectal cancer
• Exploring links between metabolites and conditions like obesity, diabetes, and MASLD
• Innovating new dietary and microbiota-targeted treatments

Through this focused exploration, we welcome contributions that could revolutionize our understanding and treatment of complex diseases, integrated within precision medicine tailored to individual gut microbiota profiles.

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Frontiers in Nutrition

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