Catanzaro R, Anzalone M, Calabrese F, Milazzo M, Capuana M, Italia A, Occhipinti S, Marotta F
Section of Gastroenterology, Department of Medical and Pediatric Sciences, Institute of Internal Medicine "A. Francaviglia", University of Catania, "G. Rodolico" Hospital, Catania, Italy -
Panminerva Med. 2015 Sep;57(3):127-43. Epub 2014 Nov 12.
A mutual impact of gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and central nervous system (CNS) functions has been recognized since the mid-twentieth century. It is accepted that the so-called gut-brain axis provides a two-way homeostatic communication, through immunological, hormonal and neuronal signals. A dysfunction of this axis has been associated with the pathogenesis of some diseases both within and outside the GIT, that have shown an increase in incidence over the last decades. Studies comparing germ-free animals and animals exposed to pathogenic bacterial infections, probiotics or antibiotics suggest the participation of the microbiota in this communication and a role in host defense, regulation of immunity and autoimmune disease appearance. The GIT could represent a vulnerable area through which pathogens influence all aspects of physiology and even induce CNS neuro-inflammation. All those concepts may suggest the modulation of the gut microbiota as an achievable strategy for innovative therapies in complex disorders. Moving from this background, the present review discusses the relationship between intestinal microbiota and CNS and the effects in health and disease. We particularly look at how the commensal gut microbiota influences systemic immune response in some neurological disorders, highlighting its impact on pain and cognition in multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barrè Syndrome, neurodevelopmental and behavioral disorders and Alzheimer's disease. In this review we discuss recent studies showing that the potential microbiota-gut-brain dialogue is implicated in neurodegenerative diseases. Gaining a better understanding of the relationship between microbiota and CNS could provide an insight on the pathogenesis and therapeutic strategies of these disorders.
自20世纪中叶以来，人们就认识到胃肠道（GIT）和中枢神经系统（CNS）功能之间存在相互影响。人们认为，所谓的肠-脑轴通过免疫、激素和神经信号提供双向的稳态通信。该轴的功能障碍与GIT内外某些疾病的发病机制有关，在过去几十年中，这些疾病的发病率呈上升趋势。比较无菌动物和暴露于致病性细菌感染、益生菌或抗生素的动物的研究表明，微生物群参与了这种通信，并在宿主防御、免疫调节和自身免疫性疾病的出现中发挥作用。GIT可能是一个脆弱区域，病原体可通过该区域影响生理的各个方面，甚至诱发中枢神经系统神经炎症。所有这些概念可能表明，调节肠道微生物群是治疗复杂疾病的一种可行的创新策略。基于这一背景，本综述讨论了肠道微生物群与中枢神经系统之间的关系以及对健康和疾病的影响。我们特别关注共生肠道微生物群如何影响某些神经系统疾病中的全身免疫反应，强调其对多发性硬化症、吉兰-巴雷综合征、神经发育和行为障碍以及阿尔茨海默病中的疼痛和认知的影响。在本综述中，我们讨论了最近的研究，这些研究表明潜在的微生物群-肠道-脑对话与神经退行性疾病有关。更好地理解微生物群与中枢神经系统之间的关系可以为这些疾病的发病机制和治疗策略提供见解。
