Intestinal Microbiome in Human Health and Disease—Recent Updates

A special issue of Medicina (ISSN 1648-9144). This special issue belongs to the section "Gastroenterology & Hepatology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2025) | Viewed by 2995

Special Issue Editor


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Cardiovascular and Metabolic Sciences Department, Cleveland Clinic—Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
Interests: microbiome; cardiometabolic disorder; metagenomics; functional food; urological diseases; AMR

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The human intestinal microbiome, a diverse and dynamic ecosystem of microorganisms, has garnered significant attention for its integral role in health and disease. Recent advances in microbiome research have unveiled the profound impact of gut microbiota on a myriad of physiological processes, including digestion, immune function, and neurobiology. This Special Issue compiles the latest discoveries and technological advancements, shedding light on the multifaceted interactions between the gut microbiome and its human host.

Cutting-edge studies have demonstrated that the gut microbiome is essential for the metabolism of complex carbohydrates and the production of vital micronutrients, influencing overall nutritional status and metabolic health. Moreover, the microbiome's interaction with the immune system is crucial for pathogen defense and immune regulation, with dysbiosis (an imbalance in the microbial community) being implicated in a range of conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, metabolic syndrome, and neuropsychiatric disorders.

In this issue, we explore pioneering research on microbiome sequencing and bioinformatics, which have revolutionized our ability to characterize microbial communities and their functional capacities. We delve into the mechanisms by which microbiota modulate host physiology, highlighting novel findings on microbial metabolites and their systemic effects. Additionally, the potential of microbiome-targeted therapies, including probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), is examined, offering promising avenues for restoring microbial balance and treating microbiome-associated diseases.

Through a synthesis of contemporary research and expert analyses, this Special Issue aims to enhance our understanding of the intestinal microbiome's critical role in human health and disease. It seeks to inspire further research and inform clinical practices, ultimately advancing the development of microbiome-based interventions and personalized medicine.

Dr. Mangesh Vasant Suryavanshi
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. Medicina is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). 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

  • intestinal microbiome
  • gut microbiota
  • human health
  • dysbiosis
  • microbiome
  • metagenome
  • immune function
  • metabolites
  • microbiome therapies
  • personalized medicine

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (1 paper)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

16 pages, 2571 KiB  
Article
Sodium Butyrate: A Multifaceted Modulator in Colorectal Cancer Therapy
by Alexandra Laura Mederle, Alexandra Semenescu, George Andrei Drăghici, Cristina Adriana Dehelean, Nicolae-Valentin Vlăduț and Dragoş Vasile Nica
Medicina 2025, 61(1), 136; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61010136 - 15 Jan 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2178
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Sodium butyrate (NaB) is a potent modulator of cancer-related gene networks. However, its precise mechanisms of action and effects at elevated doses remain insufficiently explored. This study investigated the impact of NaB at physiologically relevant doses on key cellular [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Sodium butyrate (NaB) is a potent modulator of cancer-related gene networks. However, its precise mechanisms of action and effects at elevated doses remain insufficiently explored. This study investigated the impact of NaB at physiologically relevant doses on key cellular metrics (viability, confluence, cell number, morphology, nuclear integrity) and a comprehensive set of apoptosis and proliferation regulators (including underexplored genes) in colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. Materials and Methods: Human HCT-116 cells were treated with increasing NaB concentrations (0–20 mM). Cell viability, confluence, number, morphology, and nuclear integrity were assessed using MTT and imaging assays. RT-PCR was used to determine changes in the expression of critical pro-apoptotic players (BAX, CASP3, PUMA, TP53), anti-apoptotic facilitators (BCL-2, MCL-1), cell division regulators (PCNA, Ki-67, CDKN1), and inflammation genes (NF-κB). Results: This study provides the first exploration of MCL-1 and PCNA modulation by NaB in the context of CRC and HCT-116 cells, offering significant translational insights. All treatments reduced cell viability, confluence, and number in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.0001). Gene expression revealed dose-related increases in most pro-apoptotic markers (BAX, CASP3, PUMA; p < 0.001), and decreases for the other genes (p < 0.001). BAX emerged as the most responsive gene to NaB, while TP53 showed minimal sensitivity, supporting NaB’s effectiveness in p53-compromised phenotypes. Nuclear condensation and fragmentation at higher NaB doses confirmed apoptotic induction. Conclusions: NaB can modulate critical apoptotic and cell cycle genes, disrupt tumor cell proliferation, and overcome resistance mechanisms associated with anti-apoptotic regulators such as MCL-1. By targeting both short-term and long-term anti-apoptotic defenses, NaB shows promise as a preventive and therapeutic agent in CRC, particularly in high-risk phenotypes with compromised p53 functionality. These findings support its potential for integration into combination therapies or dietary interventions aimed at enhancing colonic butyrate levels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Intestinal Microbiome in Human Health and Disease—Recent Updates)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop