Saleem Manal M, Masood Sarah, Rahmatullah Maryam M, Ayesha Imdad Ifrah, Mohammed Aslam Sange Asma, Nasr Dina
College of Medicine, Dubai Medical University, Dubai, ARE.
Cureus. 2025 Apr 27;17(4):e83084. doi: 10.7759/cureus.83084. eCollection 2025 Apr.
The gut microbiota refers to the diverse community of symbiotic and pathogenic microorganisms inhabiting the host digestive tract. This microbiome plays a vital role in maintaining the integrity of the digestive system. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder (FGID) characterized by chronic abdominal pain and altered bowel habits. Although the pathophysiology of IBS remains unclear, recent studies suggest that the disruption of the gut microbiota (dysbiosis) may play a significant role. This study aims to examine the role of the gut microbiota in the development of IBS, analyze factors influencing the gut microbiome, and explore the potential for microbiota-targeted therapies. Relevant literature published from 2014 until 2024 was sourced from Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus using the keywords "microbiome", "irritable bowel syndrome", "dysbiosis", "faecal transplantation", and "probiotics". This review revealed consistent evidence of gut microbiota dysbiosis in individuals with IBS, characterized by altered microbial diversity, composition, and metabolic function. Contributing factors included a reduced abundance of beneficial commensals, overgrowth of potentially pathogenic species, and disrupted host-microbiota interactions. This dysbiosis was also frequently associated with symptom severity and specific IBS subtypes. Emerging evidence further highlights the role of diet, stress, and genetic factors in modulating gut microbiota and influencing IBS development. The growing body of research supports a strong link between dysbiosis and the pathogenesis and symptomatology of IBS. Understanding the microbial underpinnings of IBS opens avenues for potential diagnostic biomarkers and innovative therapeutic interventions aimed at restoring a balanced gut microbiota. However, further research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and translate these insights into effective clinical strategies for the management of IBS. This review underscores the significance of gut microbiota in IBS and its potential as a target for future therapeutic interventions.
肠道微生物群是指栖息在宿主消化道内的共生和致病微生物的多样化群落。这种微生物群落在维持消化系统的完整性方面起着至关重要的作用。肠易激综合征（IBS）是一种功能性胃肠疾病（FGID），其特征为慢性腹痛和排便习惯改变。尽管IBS的病理生理学尚不清楚，但最近的研究表明，肠道微生物群的破坏（生态失调）可能起重要作用。本研究旨在探讨肠道微生物群在IBS发病中的作用，分析影响肠道微生物群的因素，并探索以微生物群为靶点的治疗潜力。使用关键词“微生物群”、“肠易激综合征”、“生态失调”、“粪便移植”和“益生菌”，从谷歌学术、PubMed和Scopus中检索了2014年至2024年发表的相关文献。这篇综述揭示了IBS患者肠道微生物群生态失调的一致证据，其特征为微生物多样性、组成和代谢功能改变。促成因素包括有益共生菌数量减少、潜在致病菌种过度生长以及宿主-微生物群相互作用中断。这种生态失调还经常与症状严重程度和特定的IBS亚型相关。新出现的证据进一步强调了饮食、压力和遗传因素在调节肠道微生物群和影响IBS发病中的作用。越来越多的研究支持生态失调与IBS的发病机制和症状学之间存在密切联系。了解IBS的微生物基础为潜在的诊断生物标志物和旨在恢复肠道微生物群平衡的创新治疗干预开辟了道路。然而，需要进一步研究以阐明潜在机制，并将这些见解转化为管理IBS的有效临床策略。这篇综述强调了肠道微生物群在IBS中的重要性及其作为未来治疗干预靶点的潜力。
