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Current Research on the Role of the Gut Microbiota in Human Diseases and Health

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: 30 August 2025 | Viewed by 10297

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Sanda Cretoiu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, 'Carol Davila' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Eroii Sanitari Blvd., 050474 Bucharest, Romania
Interests: interstitial cells; tissue remodelling; intercellular signalling
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the current era of omics technologies, the intestinal microbiome is a prevalent topic in human health that is of interest to experts in all medical specialties. Early research on the gut microbiome took place in the 1840s, when Metchnikov's seminal work laid the scientific foundation for the existence of gut microorganisms and presented the first ideas about their clinical applications.

The accessibility of this field is constantly growing; while only one scientific paper was published on this subject per month in the year 2000, today, there are about 1000. In 2007, the Human Microbiome Project was launched by the US National Institute of Health, whose mission was to generate the resources and expertise needed to characterize the human microbiome and analyze its role in health and disease. This Special Issue focuses on recent research progress on the microbiome, including the impact of diet on the microbiota and the influence of gut microbiota metabolites on human health and disease.

We invite experts interested in this thematic issue to submit original manuscripts and reviews on any of the above-mentioned topics.

Prof. Dr. Sanda Cretoiu
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • microbiota
  • microbiome
  • gut microbiome metabolites
  • dysbiosis
  • gut–organ axis
  • gut microbiota pathogens
  • diet

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 1818 KiB  
Article
Therapeutic Potential of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis B8762 on Gut and Respiratory Health in Infant
by Rocky Vester Richmond, Uma Mageswary, Adli Ali, Fahisham Taib, Thai Hau Koo, Azianey Yusof, Intan Juliana Abd Hamid, Feiyan Zhao, Nik Norashikin Nik Abd Rahman, Taufiq Hidayat Hasan, Heping Zhang and Min-Tze Liong
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(3), 1323; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26031323 - 4 Feb 2025
Viewed by 1164
Abstract
Respiratory tract and gastrointestinal infections in pediatric populations are major public health concerns. Addressing these challenges necessitates effective preventative and therapeutic strategies. This study assessed the efficacy of the probiotic Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis B8762 (0.5 × 1010 CFU) in reducing the [...] Read more.
Respiratory tract and gastrointestinal infections in pediatric populations are major public health concerns. Addressing these challenges necessitates effective preventative and therapeutic strategies. This study assessed the efficacy of the probiotic Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis B8762 (0.5 × 1010 CFU) in reducing the duration and frequency of these infections in young children. In a randomized trial, 115 eligible children were assigned to either the probiotic (n = 57; 3.51 ± 0.48 months old) or placebo (n = 58; 2.78 ± 0.51 months old) group, with daily consumption for 4 weeks. The probiotic group demonstrated a lower duration of infections than the placebo group (p < 0.05). The probiotic group also showed fewer clinical visits due to respiratory and gastrointestinal problems as compared to the placebo group (p = 0.009 & p = 0.004, respectively). Oral swab samples revealed that the placebo group had higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α after 4 weeks (p = 0.033), while the probiotic group demonstrated a balanced cytokine response, indicating modulation of the immune system. Genomic analysis showed that B8762 harbors various genes for the synthesis of proteins and vitamins crucial for the gut health of children. Both the clinical and genomic findings suggested that B8762 offered a therapeutic effect on gut and respiratory health in children, highlighting its potential in managing common pediatric infections. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Research on the Role of the Gut Microbiota in Human Diseases and Health)
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15 pages, 3088 KiB  
Article
A Recombinant Shigella flexneri Strain Expressing ETEC Heat-Labile Enterotoxin B Subunit Shows Promise for Vaccine Development via OMVs
by Josune Salvador-Erro, Yadira Pastor and Carlos Gamazo
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(23), 12535; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252312535 - 22 Nov 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1169
Abstract
Diarrheal diseases caused by Shigella and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) are significant health burdens, especially in resource-limited regions with high child mortality. In response to the lack of licensed vaccines and rising antibiotic resistance for these pathogens, this study developed a recombinant Shigella [...] Read more.
Diarrheal diseases caused by Shigella and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) are significant health burdens, especially in resource-limited regions with high child mortality. In response to the lack of licensed vaccines and rising antibiotic resistance for these pathogens, this study developed a recombinant Shigella flexneri strain with the novel incorporation of the eltb gene for the heat-labile enterotoxin B (LTB) subunit of ETEC directly into Shigella’s genome, enhancing stability and consistent production. This approach combines the immunogenic potential of LTB with the antigen delivery properties of S. flexneri outer membrane vesicles (OMVs), aiming to provide cross-protection against both bacterial pathogens in a stable, non-replicating vaccine platform. We confirmed successful expression through GM1-capture ELISA, achieving levels comparable to ETEC. Additionally, proteomic analysis verified that the isolated vesicles from the recombinant strains contain the LTB protein and the main outer membrane proteins and virulence factors from Shigella, including OmpA, OmpC, IcsA, SepA, and Ipa proteins, and increased expression of Slp and OmpX. Thus, our newly designed S. flexneri OMVs, engineered to carry ETEC’s LTB toxin, represent a promising strategy to be considered as a subunit vaccine candidate against S. flexneri and ETEC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Research on the Role of the Gut Microbiota in Human Diseases and Health)
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Review

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25 pages, 1998 KiB  
Review
Oxidative Stress, Gut Microbiota, and Extracellular Vesicles: Interconnected Pathways and Therapeutic Potentials
by Bo Ma, Muttiah Barathan, Min Hwei Ng and Jia Xian Law
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(7), 3148; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26073148 - 28 Mar 2025
Viewed by 751
Abstract
Oxidative stress (OS) and gut microbiota are crucial factors influencing human health, each playing a significant role in the development and progression of chronic diseases. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the complex interplay between these two factors, focusing on how an [...] Read more.
Oxidative stress (OS) and gut microbiota are crucial factors influencing human health, each playing a significant role in the development and progression of chronic diseases. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the complex interplay between these two factors, focusing on how an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants leads to OS, disrupting cellular homeostasis and contributing to a range of conditions, including metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, neurological diseases, and cancer. The gut microbiota, a diverse community of microorganisms residing in the gastrointestinal tract, is essential for regulating immune responses, metabolic pathways, and overall health. Dysbiosis, an imbalance in the gut microbiota composition, is closely associated with chronic inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, and various diseases. This review highlights how the gut microbiota influences and is influenced by OS, complicating the pathophysiology of many conditions. Furthermore, emerging evidence has identified extracellular vesicles (EVs) as critical facilitators of cellular crosstalk between the OS and gut microbiota. EVs also play a crucial role in signaling between the gut microbiota and host tissues, modulating immune responses, inflammation, and metabolic processes. The signaling function of EVs holds promise for the development of targeted therapies aimed at restoring microbial balance and mitigating OS. Personalized therapeutic approaches, including probiotics, antioxidants, and fecal microbiota transplantation-based strategies, can be used to address OS-related diseases and improve health outcomes. Nonetheless, further research is needed to study the molecular mechanisms underlying these interactions and the potential of innovative interventions to offer novel strategies for managing OS-related diseases and enhancing overall human health. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Research on the Role of the Gut Microbiota in Human Diseases and Health)
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14 pages, 1164 KiB  
Review
Microbiome-Based Therapeutics for Insomnia
by Chenyu Li, Sizhe Chen, Yun Wang and Qi Su
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(23), 13208; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252313208 - 9 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3281
Abstract
Insomnia poses considerable risks to both physical and mental health, leading to cognitive impairment, weakened immune function, metabolic dysfunction, cardiovascular issues, and reduced quality of life. Given the significant global increase in insomnia and the growing scientific evidence connecting gut microbiota to this [...] Read more.
Insomnia poses considerable risks to both physical and mental health, leading to cognitive impairment, weakened immune function, metabolic dysfunction, cardiovascular issues, and reduced quality of life. Given the significant global increase in insomnia and the growing scientific evidence connecting gut microbiota to this disorder, targeting gut microbiota as an intervention for insomnia has gained popularity. In this review, we summarize current microbiome-based therapeutics for insomnia, including dietary modifications; probiotic, prebiotic, postbiotic, and synbiotic interventions; and fecal microbiota transplantation. Moreover, we assess the capabilities and weaknesses of these technologies to offer valuable insights for future studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Research on the Role of the Gut Microbiota in Human Diseases and Health)
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29 pages, 1195 KiB  
Review
Gut Microbiota Disruption in Hematologic Cancer Therapy: Molecular Insights and Implications for Treatment Efficacy
by Patricia Guevara-Ramírez, Santiago Cadena-Ullauri, Elius Paz-Cruz, Viviana A. Ruiz-Pozo, Rafael Tamayo-Trujillo, Alejandro Cabrera-Andrade and Ana Karina Zambrano
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(19), 10255; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms251910255 - 24 Sep 2024
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3047
Abstract
Hematologic malignancies (HMs), including leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma, involve the uncontrolled proliferation of abnormal blood cells, posing significant clinical challenges due to their heterogeneity and varied treatment responses. Despite recent advancements in therapies that have improved survival rates, particularly in chronic lymphocytic [...] Read more.
Hematologic malignancies (HMs), including leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma, involve the uncontrolled proliferation of abnormal blood cells, posing significant clinical challenges due to their heterogeneity and varied treatment responses. Despite recent advancements in therapies that have improved survival rates, particularly in chronic lymphocytic leukemia and acute lymphoblastic leukemia, treatments like chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation often disrupt gut microbiota, which can negatively impact treatment outcomes and increase infection risks. This review explores the complex, bidirectional interactions between gut microbiota and cancer treatments in patients with HMs. Gut microbiota can influence drug metabolism through mechanisms such as the production of enzymes like bacterial β-glucuronidases, which can alter drug efficacy and toxicity. Moreover, microbial metabolites like short-chain fatty acids can modulate the host immune response, enhancing treatment effectiveness. However, therapy often reduces the diversity of beneficial bacteria, such as Bifidobacterium and Faecalibacterium, while increasing pathogenic bacteria like Enterococcus and Escherichia coli. These findings highlight the critical need to preserve microbiota diversity during treatment. Future research should focus on personalized microbiome-based therapies, including probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation, to improve outcomes and quality of life for patients with hematologic malignancies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Research on the Role of the Gut Microbiota in Human Diseases and Health)
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