Gut microbiota and gastrointestinal health: current concepts and future directions

Abstract

Background The microbial community of the human gut -the enteric microbiota -plays a critical role in functions that sustain health and is a positive asset in host defenses. In recent years, our understanding of this so-called human 'super organism' has advanced, following characterization of fecal metagenomes which identified three core bacterial enterotypes, and based on basic and clinical research into the impact and consequences of microbiota biodiversity and change on gastrointestinal disorders and diseases. Purpose This article considers current knowledge and future perspectives on the make-up and function of human gut microbiota, with a particular focus on altered microbiota and gastrointestinal disorders, nutritional influences on the gut microbiota, and the consequences for gastrointestinal health, as well as improved understanding of gut-microbiota-brain communication.

5-Fluorouracil sensitivity varies among oral micro-organisms

“…In humans, DPD seems to play an important role in obtaining resistance to 5-FU, since it can break down 5-FU to the non-toxic dihydrofluorouracil (Aziz et al, 2013). Literature data on microbial DPD are scarce, but the presence of DPD activity has previously been shown for P. aeruginosa (Kim & West, 1991) and E. coli (West, 1998).…”

“…Along the gastrointestinal tract, micro-organisms play an important role in sustaining homeostasis and health (Aziz et al, 2013). Evidence is also emerging that microorganisms are involved in the development and severity of 5-FU-induced mucositis (Stringer & Logan, 2015; Vanhoecke et al, 2015).…”

Alzheimer’s disease and gut microbiota

“…The compositions of gut microbiota are different between individuals. Different bacterial structure also determines the difference of human biochemistry, genetic individuality and resistance to diseases (Aziz et al, 2013). Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes are two dominant bacterial phylum in the gut, with Proteobacteria, Verrucomicrobiota, Fusobacteria, Cyanobacteria, Actinbacteria, Spirochetes, and so on as the remainder (Backhed et al, 2005).…”

Reset of a critically disturbed microbial ecosystem: faecal transplant in recurrent Clostridium difficile infection

“…The intestinal microbiota constitutes an organ by itself, with digestive functions and specific metabolic and signalling networks established between microorganisms and the host (Zoetendal et al, 2008;Aziz et al, 2013). It is shaped by over 1000 specieslike phylotypes and dominated by microorganisms, many of them not yet cultured, belonging to five major phyla (that is, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria and Verrucomicrobia).…”