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Nutrients
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Exploring the Lifespan Dynamics of Oral–Gut Microbiota Interactions
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Exploring the Lifespan Dynamics of Oral–Gut Microbiota Interactions

A special issue of Nutrients (ISSN 2072-6643). This special issue belongs to the section "Clinical Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 January 2026 | Viewed by 236

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Domenico Azzolino

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Geriatric Unit, Medical Department, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico di Milano, 20122 Milan, Italy
Interests: nutrition; frailty; sarcopenia; aging; dysphagia; oral health; physical exercise
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The oral–gut microbiota axis is an emerging area of research. While most studies have traditionally examined the oral and gut microbiota independently, growing evidence suggests that these microbial communities are closely linked and can influence one another through various mechanisms that impact systemic health. Recent research suggests the oral and gut microbiota to be intimately connected through enteral, hematogenous, and fecal–oral routes. These interactions seem to be influenced by nutrition as well as age, health status, medications, and environmental factors. Some dietary patterns and nutritional compounds play a crucial role in shaping the composition and function of both the oral and gut microbiota. Imbalances in one site can lead to systemic effects, contributing to gastrointestinal disorders, inflammation, infections, and even cancer. The complex interplay between oral and gut microbiota highlights their role in maintaining overall health and underscores the potential risks associated with imbalances in either environment. Gaining deeper insight into these interactions could thus lead to improved strategies for preventing and managing systemic diseases, enhancing health outcomes.

This Special Issue welcomes observational and experimental studies as well as full-length and short reviews and meta-analyses focused on oral and gut microbiota interactions. Broadly, the Special Issue aims to 1) provide an overview of the state of the art in the field; 2) explore the possible biological mechanisms underlying oral and gut microbiota interactions; and 3) enhance our current understanding regarding potential areas of nutritional interventions.

Dr. Domenico Azzolino
Guest Editor

Margherita Carnevale Schianca
Guest Editor Assistant

Manuscript Submission Information

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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. Nutrients is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2900 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

  • microbiota
  • oral microbiota
  • gut microbiota
  • microbiome
  • gut dysbiosis
  • systemic diseases
  • inflammation
  • short chain fatty acids
  • nutritional interventions

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Review

31 pages, 1295 KiB  
Review
The Oral–Gut Microbiota Axis Across the Lifespan: New Insights on a Forgotten Interaction
by Domenico Azzolino, Margherita Carnevale-Schianca, Luigi Santacroce, Marica Colella, Alessia Felicetti, Leonardo Terranova, Roberto Carlos Castrejón-Pérez, Franklin Garcia-Godoy, Tiziano Lucchi and Pier Carmine Passarelli
Nutrients 2025, 17(15), 2538; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17152538 (registering DOI) - 1 Aug 2025
Abstract
The oral–gut microbiota axis is a relatively new field of research. Although most studies have focused separately on the oral and gut microbiota, emerging evidence has highlighted that the two microbiota are interconnected and may influence each other through various mechanisms shaping systemic [...] Read more.
The oral–gut microbiota axis is a relatively new field of research. Although most studies have focused separately on the oral and gut microbiota, emerging evidence has highlighted that the two microbiota are interconnected and may influence each other through various mechanisms shaping systemic health. The aim of this review is therefore to provide an overview of the interactions between oral and gut microbiota, and the influence of diet and related metabolites on this axis. Pathogenic oral bacteria, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum, can migrate to the gut through the enteral route, particularly in individuals with weakened gastrointestinal defenses or conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease, contributing to disorders like inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer. Bile acids, altered by gut microbes, also play a significant role in modulating these microbiota interactions and inflammatory responses. Oral bacteria can also spread via the bloodstream, promoting systemic inflammation and worsening some conditions like cardiovascular disease. Translocation of microorganisms can also take place from the gut to the oral cavity through fecal–oral transmission, especially within poor sanitary conditions. Some metabolites including short-chain fatty acids, trimethylamine N-oxide, indole and its derivatives, bile acids, and lipopolysaccharides produced by both oral and gut microbes seem to play central roles in mediating oral–gut interactions. The complex interplay between oral and gut microbiota underscores their crucial role in maintaining systemic health and highlights the potential consequences of dysbiosis at both the oral and gastrointestinal level. Some dietary patterns and nutritional compounds including probiotics and prebiotics seem to exert beneficial effects both on oral and gut microbiota eubiosis. A better understanding of these microbial interactions could therefore pave the way for the prevention and management of systemic conditions, improving overall health outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring the Lifespan Dynamics of Oral–Gut Microbiota Interactions)
10 pages, 478 KiB  
Review
Chewing Matters: Masticatory Function, Oral Microbiota, and Gut Health in the Nutritional Management of Aging
by Monia Lettieri, Alessio Rosa, Fabrizio Spataro, Giovanni Capria, Paolo Barnaba, Marco Gargari and Mirko Martelli
Nutrients 2025, 17(15), 2507; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17152507 - 30 Jul 2025
Abstract
Aging is a multifactorial process that affects various physiological functions, including masticatory performance, which is crucial for oral health and nutritional well-being. Impaired masticatory function, often due to factors such as tooth loss, reduced salivation, or muscle atrophy, can lead to significant nutritional [...] Read more.
Aging is a multifactorial process that affects various physiological functions, including masticatory performance, which is crucial for oral health and nutritional well-being. Impaired masticatory function, often due to factors such as tooth loss, reduced salivation, or muscle atrophy, can lead to significant nutritional challenges and compromise the overall health of elderly individuals. Recent research has illuminated the interconnectedness of masticatory function, oral microbiota, and gut health, suggesting that altered chewing ability may disrupt oral microbial communities, which in turn affect gastrointestinal health and systemic inflammation. This commentary review provides a comprehensive analysis of the role of masticatory function in aging, exploring its impact on the oral microbiota, gut health, and broader nutritional status. We discuss the potential consequences of impaired mastication, including malnutrition, dysbiosis, and gastrointestinal disorders, and explore possible strategies for improving masticatory function and maintaining a healthy gut microbiome through interventions like dietary modifications, oral care, and rehabilitation. We aim to underscore the importance of integrating masticatory function management into the broader context of aging-related healthcare, promoting holistic, multidisciplinary approaches to support nutritional needs and quality of life in older adults. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring the Lifespan Dynamics of Oral–Gut Microbiota Interactions)
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