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The Microbiome and Dysbiosis in Various Pathologies

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A Special Issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729) belonging to the section "Microbiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2026 | Viewed by 9153

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Editors

Prof. Dr. Roxana Liana Lucaciu

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Department of Pharmaceutical Biochemistry and Clinical Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Interests: (clinical) biochemistry; metabolic disorders; anticancer research; medicinal chemistry; drug discovery
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Prof. Dr. Lucia Maria Procopciuc

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Department of Medical Biochemistry, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400349 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Interests: genetics; epigenetics; medical biochemistry; metabolic disorders
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Prof. Dr. Adriana Corina Hangan

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Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Interests: (bio)inorganic chemistry; anticancer research; metabolic disorders; drug discovery
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The gut microbiome is composed of a vast community of microorganisms that reside in the digestive tract, specifically the large intestine. This microbial ecosystem contains bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microbes that, together, influence various physiological processes. The gut microbiota is made up of six major phyla of bacteria: Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Tenericutes, and Fusobacteria. Each individual will have a different microbiota composition depending on factors such as their age, diet, stress level, and frequency of antibiotic use, along with various environmental factors.

The intestinal flora plays a crucial role in maintaining optimal health, as it is involved in processes such as the digestion and absorption of nutrients, numerous metabolic processes, the support of immune function, and maintaining mental health.

The diversity of the microbiome is indicated by the variety of microorganisms that it contains. In general, a high diversity of microbiota is an indicator of a healthy intestinal flora. A decrease in physiological diversity can be a manifestation of dysbiosis and is frequently associated with an increase in potentially pathogenic bacterial species and the appearance of associated pathologies, such as metabolic, cardiovascular, dermatological, autoimmune, and inflammatory diseases; digestive, neurological and psychiatric disorders; recurrent infections; and cancer.

Currently, there are a number of laboratory tests and analyses that help in assessing the health of the intestinal flora, providing valuable information with regard to health status, and aiding the diagnosis and treatment of associated diseases.

This Special Issue will include original research articles, case reports, and review papers investigating biochemical, genetic, and epigenetic biomarkers related to the risk of developing dysbiosis, in order to elucidate the pathogenic mechanisms behind it. We will consider in silico and experimental in vitro and in vivo studies and clinical studies with the potential to improve the management (prevention, diagnosis, and treatment) of dysbiosis.

Prof. Dr. Roxana Liana Lucaciu
Prof. Dr. Lucia Maria Procopciuc
Prof. Dr. Adriana Corina Hangan
Guest Editors

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Keywords

metabolic diseases (obesity, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, etc.)
cardiovascular diseases (atherosclerosis, hypertension, etc.)
dermatological diseases (acne, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea)
autoimmune and inflammatory diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, etc.)
digestive disorders (irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease: Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, lactose intolerance and other food intolerances, gastritis, helicobacter pylori infections, etc.)
neurological and psychiatric disorders (Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, depression, anxiety, autism)
recurrent infections and low immunity
cancer (colorectal, gastric, esophageal, hepatic, pancreatic, breast, pulmonary, etc.)
biochemical, genetic and epigenetic biomarkers
computational analysis

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

17 pages, 1988 KB

Open AccessArticle

Gut Modulators Alter BDNF/Cortisol Axis in Severe Obesity: Additional Secondary Outcomes from a Triple-Blind Randomized Trial

by Dayanne da Silva Borges, Ricardo Fernandes, Barbara Beatriz Philippi Martins, Scheila Iria Kraus, Erasmo Benicio Santos de Moraes Trindade and Adair Roberto Soares Santos

Life 2026, 16(6), 924; https://doi.org/10.3390/life16060924 - 31 May 2026

Viewed by 589

Abstract

The role of the gut–brain axis is crucial in maintaining homeostasis and regulating neural, hormonal, and immunological activity. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of prebiotics or synbiotics on serum markers related to emotional disorders in individuals with morbid obesity in a triple-blind, randomized trial. The sample consisted of 22 subjects (16 women and 6 men) with a mean age of 41.8 ± 8.5 years and a mean BMI of 47.7 ± 6.8 kg/m². Serum BDNF concentrations decreased significantly after 30 days of prebiotic supplementation (p = 0.017). Serum cortisol concentrations increased in all groups between the evaluated time points, with the increase being statistically significant in the synbiotic-supplemented group (p = 0.028). Serum TNF-α concentrations increased significantly after 30 days of prebiotic supplementation when compared to the group’s baseline (p = 0.035); however, this variation did not produce a significant difference between the groups evaluated after 30 days of supplementation. The results suggest that a chronic, low-grade inflammatory state may be related to the neuroendocrine changes present in emotional disorders, but the absence of significant results in the primary outcomes is possibly due to severe underpowering. Findings from additional secondary outcomes are hypothesis-generating only, requiring confirmation in adequately powered trials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Microbiome and Dysbiosis in Various Pathologies)

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18 pages, 964 KB

Open AccessArticle

Periodontitis Severity and Subgingival Microbiome Variation in Postmenopausal Women: A Stratified Case–Control Study

by Irina-Georgeta Sufaru, Stefan-Lucian Burlea, Maria-Alexandra Martu, Sorina Mihaela Solomon, Maria-Georgeta Laza, Liliana Pasarin, Elena-Odette Luca and Ioana Martu

Life 2026, 16(4), 637; https://doi.org/10.3390/life16040637 - 10 Apr 2026

Viewed by 1039

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to determine whether osteoporosis is associated with differences in the subgingival microbiome of postmenopausal women, stratified by periodontitis stage. Methods: In this observational, stratified case–control study, 166 postmenopausal women were assigned to six strata defined by bone status (osteoporosis vs. normal BMD) and periodontal category (no periodontitis, Stage I–II, Stage III–IV). Standardized pooled subgingival samples were profiled by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Community structure was evaluated using Bray–Curtis dissimilarity and tested with PERMANOVA (9999 permutations) and prespecified contrasts comparing osteoporosis versus normal BMD within each periodontal category (Holm adjustment). Alpha diversity (Shannon) was assessed using two-way ANOVA. Results: Periodontal category was strongly associated with community structure (PERMANOVA R² = 0.514, pseudo-F = 86.681, p < 0.0001), whereas bone status (R² = 0.004, p = 0.178) and the bone status × periodontal category interaction (R² = 0.007, p = 0.294) were not. None of the three prespecified within-category contrasts reached significance after Holm adjustment. Shannon diversity differed by periodontal category (p = 1.93 × 10⁻²⁴) but not by bone status (p = 0.200), with similar distributions between osteoporosis and normal BMD within each periodontal category. Conclusions: In postmenopausal women, periodontitis severity dominates variation in the subgingival microbiome, and osteoporosis does not confer an additional community-level or taxonomic signature when periodontal status is held constant. Longitudinal and multi-omic studies incorporating host-response biomarkers and therapy exposures are warranted to clarify whether osteoporosis influences periodontal susceptibility and progression primarily through host-mediated mechanisms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Microbiome and Dysbiosis in Various Pathologies)

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Review

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45 pages, 2572 KB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

The Maternal Microbiome in Pregnancy: From Physiological Changes to Dysbiosis and Obstetrical Complications—Therapeutic Perspectives

by Lucia Maria Procopciuc, Gabriela Valentina Caracostea, Adriana Corina Hangan and Roxana Liana Lucaciu

Life 2026, 16(6), 1033; https://doi.org/10.3390/life16061033 - 21 Jun 2026

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1062

Abstract

During pregnancy, hormonal, metabolic, and immunological changes influence the composition and function of maternal microbial communities. Increasing evidence suggests that the maternal microbiota—particularly in the vaginal, gut, and oral environments—plays a significant role in maintaining pregnancy homeostasis and supporting fetal development. In healthy pregnancies, the vaginal microbiota is typically dominated by Lactobacillus species, which help maintain a low vaginal pH and protect against ascending infections. However, disruption of this balance (vaginal dysbiosis) has been associated with obstetrical complications such as intrauterine infection and preterm birth. Similarly, the maternal gut microbiota undergoes trimester-specific changes that contribute to metabolic adaptations required for fetal growth, while alterations in microbial composition have been linked to metabolic disorders including gestational diabetes mellitus and preeclampsia. Changes in oral microbiota and periodontal disease have also been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes through systemic inflammatory pathways and potential microbial translocation to the placenta. Recent advances in sequencing technologies have improved the understanding of host–microbiome interactions in pregnancy, although the existence of a placental microbiome remains controversial. Overall, maternal microbiota plays an important role in pregnancy physiology, and its dysregulation may contribute to obstetrical complications. Understanding these mechanisms may facilitate the development of microbiome-based diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in maternal–fetal medicine. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Microbiome and Dysbiosis in Various Pathologies)

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29 pages, 1427 KB

Open AccessReview

Heavy Metal-Driven Oral Dysbiosis: Salivary Toxicometallomics at the Host–Microbiome Interface Across Pathologies

by Claudia Florina Bogdan-Andreescu, Emin Cadar, Lucia Bubulac, Irina Anca Eremia, Viorica Tudor, Cristina-Crenguţa Albu, Iuliana-Raluca Gheorghe, Arsenie Dan Spînu, Andreea Mariana Bănăţeanu and Dan Alexandru Slăvescu

Life 2026, 16(6), 920; https://doi.org/10.3390/life16060920 - 29 May 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 747

Abstract

Microbiome dysbiosis has become recognized as an important interface connecting environmental exposures to chronic inflammatory and degenerative diseases. Although prior research has largely considered heavy metals as biomarkers of exposure and toxicity, their function as ecological modulators of host-associated microbial communities remains underexplored. The oral cavity is a distinct exposome–microbiome interface where environmental, behavioral, and intraoral metal sources converge and interact with structured biofilms and mucosal immunity. This review adopts an ecological systems perspective, interpreting chronic low-dose exposure to metals such as cadmium, lead, mercury, nickel, chromium, arsenic, and aluminum as a sustained selective force on oral microbial networks. A resilience–threshold model is proposed in which cumulative metal pressure progressively diminishes microbial community stability, alters network topology, and drives transitions toward persistent dysbiosis. These modifications are further reinforced by oxidative–inflammatory feedback loops at the host–microbiome interface, facilitating a self-sustaining ecological imbalance. Sketching on insights from microbial ecology, environmental toxicology, and host response biology, this review presents a framework that links metallomic patterns to microbial restructuring, redox imbalance, immune activation, and regulatory adaptation. The analysis emphasizes ecological perturbations from stable dysbiotic states and identifies key methodological limitations that currently restrict causal inference. By conceptualizing heavy metals as active ecological drivers rather than passive exposure indicators, this work establishes a foundation for understanding microbiome-mediated disease susceptibility within an exposome-informed systems biology framework. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Microbiome and Dysbiosis in Various Pathologies)

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26 pages, 1479 KB

Open AccessReview

Microbiome-Associated Drug Response Variability in Heart Failure Treatment

by Andrea Rab, Annamária Magdás and Attila Frigy

Life 2026, 16(5), 823; https://doi.org/10.3390/life16050823 - 15 May 2026

Viewed by 1335

Abstract

Gut microbiome composition influences cardiovascular drug efficacy and safety, yet its integration into heart failure (HF) management remains underexplored. Alterations in intestinal microbial communities have been linked to atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, heart failure, and hypertension through multiple mechanisms. Dysbiosis disrupts the balance between commensal and pathogenic bacterial species, impairing gut barrier function and activating inflammatory pathways. The altered microbial ecosystem modulates the production of key metabolites—such as trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and secondary bile acids (BAs)—that directly impact cardiovascular function. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on bidirectional interaction between heart failure pharmacotherapy and gut microbiome composition. Commonly used drugs in heart failure management show microbiome-dependent pharmacokinetics. Digoxin undergoes bacterial inactivation by Eggerthella lenta, while angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors and beta-blockers demonstrate enhanced efficacy with specific Firmicutes populations. Conversely, certain probiotic strains attenuate drug-induced gut barrier injury and restore gut homeostasis. Sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, and angiotensin receptor–neprilysin inhibitors exhibit beneficial microbiome-modulating effects beyond their primary cardiovascular actions. These findings underscore the potential for microbiome-informed precision medicine in heart failure. However, significant methodological challenges must be addressed, including lack of standardization in microbiome profiling, small sample sizes, and limited longitudinal data. Future research should focus on identifying specific microbial signatures that predict drug response, developing targeted probiotic interventions, and conducting prospective clinical trials to validate pharmacomicrobiomics approaches in heart failure management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Microbiome and Dysbiosis in Various Pathologies)

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34 pages, 1815 KB

Open AccessReview

Boron as a Molecular Architect of Host–Microbiome Symbiosis: Implications for Dysbiosis and Aging-Related Pathologies

by George Dan Mogoşanu, Andrei Biţă, Ion Romulus Scorei, Mihai Ioan Pop, Ilie Robert Dinu and Dan Ionuţ Gheonea

Life 2026, 16(5), 750; https://doi.org/10.3390/life16050750 - 1 May 2026

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 888

Abstract

Boron (B) is increasingly recognized as more than a trace dietary element, emerging as a context-dependent organizer of molecular interactions at the host–microbiome interface. B exhibits reversible covalent chemistry driven by Lewis’ acidity and selective affinity for cis-diol-rich biomolecules, enabling dynamic complexation with polyols, glycans, and phenolic ligands that dominate the intestinal mucus environment and shape microbial ecology. We synthesize evidence supporting an architecture-based framework in which B modulates biological function by conditioning the physicochemical context of microbial communication rather than acting as a single-pathway effector. Central to this model is spatial bioavailability, distinguishing plasma-accessible boron from microbiota-accessible boron (MAB), species that persist in the lumen and mucus layer long enough to influence interface-level processes. We propose that insufficient or altered MAB availability may contribute to dysbiosis (DYS) by destabilizing quorum-associated coordination, signal persistence, and mucosal microstructure, thereby promoting barrier dysfunction and inflammaging. Particular attention is given to B-mediated symbiotaxis, a hypothesis-driven concept describing how B-containing molecular assemblies may bias microbial communities toward cooperative, barrier-supportive configurations and reduce ecological volatility. We identify key knowledge gaps and experimental priorities (speciation-aware measurements, signal-centric readouts) necessary to determine when, where, and how B-mediated molecular architecture may counteract DYS and support healthspan. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Microbiome and Dysbiosis in Various Pathologies)

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15 pages, 870 KB

Open AccessReview

Revisiting Rosacea Through the Skin–Gut–Brain Axis: A Neuroimmune Perspective

by Elvira Lazić Mosler, Marina Vekić Mužević, Dalibor Karlović, Marko Tarle and Marina Raguž

Life 2026, 16(2), 347; https://doi.org/10.3390/life16020347 - 18 Feb 2026

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2538

Abstract

Rosacea is increasingly recognized as a complex inflammatory disorder extending beyond isolated cutaneous pathology, involving dysregulated interactions between the skin, gastrointestinal system, and central nervous system. The skin–gut–brain axis has emerged as a relevant conceptual framework for understanding this multifactorial disease, integrating gut microbiota dysbiosis, neuroimmune signaling, autonomic nervous system dysfunction, and stress-related mechanisms. The aim of this narrative hypothesis-driven overview is to reframe rosacea as a neuroimmune disorder in which central nervous system involvement plays an active regulatory role, rather than as a purely peripheral or dermatological condition. We synthesize the mechanistically relevant evidence linking gastrointestinal inflammation and microbial imbalance with neurogenic inflammation, mast cell activation, sebaceous gland dysfunction, and aberrant innate immune responses in the skin, with particular emphasis on neurovascular and trigeminal pathways. A key novelty of this perspective lies in highlighting brain-centered mechanisms, including central sensitization, autonomic dysregulation, and stress-related neural modulation, as integral components of the skin–gut–brain axis in rosacea. By integrating peripheral and central processes, we propose rosacea as a model condition for studying neuroimmune dysregulation across interconnected regulatory systems. Finally, we discuss the clinical and translational implications of this framework and outline future research directions, focusing on autonomic regulation, patient stratification, and personalized, multidisciplinary therapeutic approaches. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Microbiome and Dysbiosis in Various Pathologies)

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