Exploring the relationship between and in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): Insights and implications.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of disorders characterized by an inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and represents a major social and economic burden. Despite ongoing research into the etiology and pathophysiology of this multifactorial disease, treatment options remain limited. From this perspective, the gut microbiota has emerged as a potential player in the pathogenesis of IBD, and animal and human studies support this hypothesis. Indeed, the human gut is one of the most complex ecological communities (composed of 10-10 microorganisms) that plays a critical role in human health by influencing normal physiology and disease susceptibility through its collective metabolic activities and host interactions. In addition, live probiotic bacteria present in some food products (which transit through the GIT) have been shown to interact with the host immune system and confer several health benefits. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the link between and and IBD, highlighting the main areas of research in this field. An ecological perspective on the gut microbiota may offer new insights for the development of clinical therapies targeting this bacterial community to improve human health.