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Entero-Endocrine Axis

Meaning

The Entero-Endocrine Axis refers to the intricate, bidirectional communication system linking the gut (entero) and the endocrine system, involving hormone-secreting cells within the gastrointestinal tract. These specialized enteroendocrine cells release a vast array of gut hormones in response to nutrient presence, directly influencing appetite, satiety, insulin secretion, and overall metabolic homeostasis. This axis is a crucial regulatory hub that integrates nutritional intake with systemic energy balance and hormonal signaling. Dysfunction in this axis is increasingly implicated in metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes and obesity.