Gut Microbiome
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. The gut microbiome
The human body is a teeming metropolis of distinct microbial communities known as microbiomes. Members of these communities are microscope, single-celled organisms which support various physiological processes including immune defense, growth, and digestion (Bengmark, 2013; Collins et al., 2012; Cryan & Dinan, 2012; Diamond et al., 2011). Within the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract lies a particularly fascinating population of microbiota known for their enormity and connectivity in the body. Collectively, the gut microbiome contains tens of trillions of microbes, among which are more than 1,000 species of bacteria and 3 million microbial genes (Luckey, 1972; Savage, 1977). Microorganisms are born into …show more content…
This gut-brain congruency persists with the arrival of old age, wherein the complexity of humans’ microbial profiles decline alongside the complexity of neurons (Biagi et al., 2012). These early gut-brain parallels are not unprecedented, however, as recent studies show how gut microbiota can influence early brain function and development (Heijtz et al., 2011; Neufeld et al., 2011; Clarke et al., 2012). The gut communicates specifically with the central nervous system (CNS) and the enteric nervous system (ENS) division of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The ENS essentially functions as the gut’s own nervous system that communicates with the CNS through sensory nerves and anchors the gut directly to the brain. This bidirectional communication between the gut and the brain is known as the gut-brain-axis and is crucial for maintaining homeostasis and regulating digestion in the human body (Cryan & Dinan, 2015; Mayer et al., 2014; Rhee et al., 2009). In addition to nearly 100 million neuronal cells in the GI tract, there are some 100 identified endocrine messengers and nearly 70% of the body’s immune cells. Working in tandem with microbial by-products and neuropeptides also housed here, these messengers can induce the body’s stress-response through interacting with the
1.1. The gut microbiome
The human body is a teeming metropolis of distinct microbial communities known as microbiomes. Members of these communities are microscope, single-celled organisms which support various physiological processes including immune defense, growth, and digestion (Bengmark, 2013; Collins et al., 2012; Cryan & Dinan, 2012; Diamond et al., 2011). Within the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract lies a particularly fascinating population of microbiota known for their enormity and connectivity in the body. Collectively, the gut microbiome contains tens of trillions of microbes, among which are more than 1,000 species of bacteria and 3 million microbial genes (Luckey, 1972; Savage, 1977). Microorganisms are born into …show more content…
This gut-brain congruency persists with the arrival of old age, wherein the complexity of humans’ microbial profiles decline alongside the complexity of neurons (Biagi et al., 2012). These early gut-brain parallels are not unprecedented, however, as recent studies show how gut microbiota can influence early brain function and development (Heijtz et al., 2011; Neufeld et al., 2011; Clarke et al., 2012). The gut communicates specifically with the central nervous system (CNS) and the enteric nervous system (ENS) division of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). The ENS essentially functions as the gut’s own nervous system that communicates with the CNS through sensory nerves and anchors the gut directly to the brain. This bidirectional communication between the gut and the brain is known as the gut-brain-axis and is crucial for maintaining homeostasis and regulating digestion in the human body (Cryan & Dinan, 2015; Mayer et al., 2014; Rhee et al., 2009). In addition to nearly 100 million neuronal cells in the GI tract, there are some 100 identified endocrine messengers and nearly 70% of the body’s immune cells. Working in tandem with microbial by-products and neuropeptides also housed here, these messengers can induce the body’s stress-response through interacting with the