Developmental Psychology, Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University, Montessorilaan 3, 6525HR Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2017 Dec;83:458-471. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.09.016. Epub 2017 Sep 14.
The human body contains as many bacteria in the intestine as the total number of human body cells. These bacteria have a central position in human health and disease, and would also play a role in the regulation of emotions, behavior, and even higher cognitive functions. The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal axis (HPA axis) is a major physiological stress system that produces cortisol. This hormone is involved in responding to environmental stress and also shapes many aspects of brain development. Both the HPA axis and the intestinal microbiota show rapid and profound developmental changes during the first years of life. Early environmental disturbances can affect the development of both systems. Early adversity, for example, is known to lead to later unbalances in both, as well as to psychopathological behavior and emotions. The goal of this theoretical review is to summarize current knowledge on the developmental crosstalk between the intestinal microbiota and the HPA axis, providing a basis for understanding the development and bidirectional communication between these two essential systems in human functioning.
人体内肠道中的细菌数量与人体细胞的总数相当。这些细菌在人类健康和疾病中处于中心地位，它们在情绪、行为甚至更高认知功能的调节中也发挥着作用。下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺轴（HPA 轴）是产生皮质醇的主要生理应激系统。这种激素参与对环境压力的反应，也塑造了大脑发育的许多方面。HPA 轴和肠道微生物群在生命的头几年都表现出快速而深刻的发育变化。早期的环境干扰会影响这两个系统的发育。例如，早期的逆境已知会导致这两个系统后来的失衡，以及心理病理行为和情绪。本理论综述的目的是总结肠道微生物群和 HPA 轴之间发育相互作用的最新知识，为理解这两个在人类功能中至关重要的系统的发育和双向交流提供基础。
