Probiotics, Prebiotics, Synbiotics, and Gut Microbial Modulation in Intestinal Health and Disease
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Microbiology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2026 | Viewed by 242
Editor
Interests: gut microbiota/dysbiosis; host–microbe interactions; fatty liver disease (MASLD/NASH); inflammatory bowel disease; gastrointestinal infections; probiotics and prebiotics; inter-organ communication/immune regulation
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The gut microbiota plays an indispensable role in maintaining intestinal homeostasis and influences the development of various gastrointestinal and systemic diseases. Probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics have attracted significant attention as promising strategies to modulate the microbiome, strengthen the mucosal barrier, regulate immune responses, and improve metabolic and neurological functions. Recent studies have also highlighted the importance of inter-organ networks mediated by the gut—such as the gut–liver, gut–muscle, gut–brain, and gut–heart axes—through which microbially derived metabolites and immune-signaling pathways exert effects that extend far beyond the intestine.
Despite growing evidence supporting these beneficial effects, the mechanisms underlying host–microbe interactions within both local and systemic organ networks remain incompletely understood, and the clinical efficacy of microbiota-targeted interventions continues to be debated. This Special Issue aims to provide a comprehensive overview of recent advances in probiotic and prebiotic research, including translational studies in intestinal disorders such as cancer and metabolic diseases.
We welcome original research articles and reviews addressing novel microbial strains, metabolites, targeted delivery systems, diet–microbiome interactions involving prebiotics and probiotics, inter-organ crosstalk mediated by the gut, and personalized microbiome-based therapies that promote intestinal and systemic health. Our goal is to foster new insights into microbiota-directed interventions that may contribute to precision medicine strategies for intestinal and multi-organ diseases.
Dr. Koji Yamamoto
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- gut microbiota
- probiotics
- prebiotics
- synbiotics
- inter-organ network
- intestinal barrier
- microbial metabolites
- immunoregulation
- multi-omics
- inflammatory bowel disease
- microbiome-based therapy
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