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The Environment, Human Stress, and Gut Microbiome: A Triad in Disease Development

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: 20 February 2026 | Viewed by 204

Special Issue Editors


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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The present Special Issue study explores the relationship between the environment, human stress, and the gut microbiome, examining how these factors can contribute to the development of diseases.

The following topics will be explored in this study (keywords):

gut microbiome stress interactions; environmental microbiome disease linkages; stress-driven microbiome dysbiosis; microbiome environment disease pathways; human microbiome stress responses; environmental stress disease mechanisms; gut microbiome oxidative stress interactions; environmental oxidative stress impacts; stress-driven microbiome oxidative imbalance; oxidative stress microbiome diseases; human oxidative stress pathways; oxidative stress disease mechanisms

The following broad themes for analysis are proposed:

Oxidative stress and alterations to the gut microbiome: investigating how oxidative stress affects the diversity and functionality of the gut microbiota and its implications for systemic health;

Environmental oxidative stress and disease development: exploring environmental contributors such as pollution, radiation, and toxins, and their role in chronic diseases;

Oxidative stress and stress-driven microbiome dysbiosis: analysing how psychological or physiological stress induces oxidative stress, leading to microbiome imbalances and downstream health effects; antioxidant mechanisms in gut microbiome resilience;

The role of microbiome-derived antioxidants and dietary interventions: studying how they counter oxidative stress and help maintain gut health;

Oxidative stress and chronic disease pathogenesis: examining the interplay between oxidative stress, gut microbiota, and diseases like neurodegenerative disorders, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease conditions;

Environmental stressors, oxidative stress, and microbiome disruption: investigating how combined environmental and psychological stressors induce oxidative stress and microbiome disturbances, contributing to complex disease pathways;

Therapeutic approaches to oxidative stress and gut health: evaluating emerging therapies targeting oxidative stress, such as probiotics, antioxidants, and microbiome modulation, to mitigate disease risk and improve resilience.

Prof. Dr. Natalia Kurhaluk
Dr. Halina Tkaczenko
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • gut microbiome stress interactions
  • environmental microbiome disease linkages
  • stress-driven microbiome dysbiosis
  • microbiome environment disease pathways
  • human microbiome stress responses
  • environmental stress disease mechanisms
  • gut microbiome oxidative stress interactions
  • environmental oxidative stress impacts
  • stress-driven microbiome oxidative imbalance
  • oxidative stress microbiome diseases
  • human oxidative stress pathways
  • oxidative stress disease mechanisms

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

35 pages, 1640 KB  
Review
Gut as a Target of Ochratoxin A: Toxicological Insights and the Role of Microbiota
by Magdalena Więckowska, Rafał Szelenberger, Tomasz Popławski, Michal Bijak, Leslaw Gorniak, Maksymilian Stela and Natalia Cichon
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(19), 9438; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26199438 - 26 Sep 2025
Abstract
Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a widespread foodborne mycotoxin that poses significant risks to both human and animal health. Upon ingestion, the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) becomes the main site of exposure, where OTA interacts directly with the intestinal epithelium and resident microbiota. Research indicates [...] Read more.
Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a widespread foodborne mycotoxin that poses significant risks to both human and animal health. Upon ingestion, the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) becomes the main site of exposure, where OTA interacts directly with the intestinal epithelium and resident microbiota. Research indicates that OTA disrupts the integrity of the intestinal barrier and alters its permeability. Moreover, OTA undergoes transport and partial metabolism within the intestine before being excreted. Detoxification pathways for OTA include enzymatic degradation and adsorption by microorganisms. Notably, OTA has profound toxic effects on the gut ecosystem; it can alter the relative abundance of bacterial taxa by reducing beneficial populations and promoting opportunistic or pathogenic strains. These changes contribute to an imbalance in the microbiota, impairing host metabolic and immune functions. This dysbiosis is characterized by disrupted microbial homeostasis and impaired communication between the host and its gut microbiome. This review highlights the dual role of the intestine as both a target and a modulator of OTA toxicity. It emphasizes the importance of gut microbiota in mediating the toxicological outcomes of OTA and explores microbiome-based strategies as potential avenues for detoxification. Full article
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