Faculty of Science, University of the Balearic Islands UIB, 07122 Palma, Spain.
Research Unit, Son Llàtzer University Hospital, Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa), 07198 Palma, Spain.
Cells. 2022 Jan 23;11(3):382. doi: 10.3390/cells11030382.
Adult neurogenesis (i.e., the life-long generation of new neurons from undifferentiated neuronal precursors in the adult brain) may contribute to brain repair after damage, and participates in plasticity-related processes including memory, cognition, mood and sensory functions. Among the many intrinsic (oxidative stress, inflammation, and ageing), and extrinsic (environmental pollution, lifestyle, and diet) factors deemed to impact neurogenesis, significant attention has been recently attracted by the myriad of saprophytic microorganismal communities inhabiting the intestinal ecosystem and collectively referred to as the gut microbiota. A growing body of evidence, mainly from animal studies, reveal the influence of microbiota and its disease-associated imbalances on neural stem cell proliferative and differentiative activities in brain neurogenic niches. On the other hand, the long-claimed pro-neurogenic activity of natural dietary compounds endowed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties (such as polyphenols, polyunsaturated fatty acids, or pro/prebiotics) may be mediated, at least in part, by their action on the intestinal microflora. The purpose of this review is to summarise the available information regarding the influence of the gut microbiota on neurogenesis, analyse the possible underlying mechanisms, and discuss the potential implications of this emerging knowledge for the fight against neurodegeneration and brain ageing.
成人神经发生（即，成年大脑中未分化的神经元前体细胞产生新神经元）可能有助于损伤后的大脑修复，并参与包括记忆、认知、情绪和感官功能在内的与可塑性相关的过程。在许多被认为会影响神经发生的内在（氧化应激、炎症和衰老）和外在（环境污染、生活方式和饮食）因素中，最近人们对栖息在肠道生态系统中的各种腐生微生物群落给予了极大的关注，并将其统称为肠道微生物群。越来越多的证据主要来自动物研究，揭示了微生物群及其与疾病相关的失衡对大脑神经发生龛中神经干细胞增殖和分化活动的影响。另一方面，长期以来一直声称具有抗氧化和抗炎特性的天然饮食化合物（如多酚、多不饱和脂肪酸或益生菌/益生元）具有促神经发生活性，其作用机制至少部分是通过其对肠道微生物群的作用。本文综述了肠道微生物群对神经发生的影响的相关信息，分析了可能的潜在机制，并讨论了这一新兴知识对对抗神经退行性变和大脑衰老的潜在意义。
