Gut Derived Metabolites are a diverse array of bioactive small molecules and chemical compounds produced through the metabolic activity of the commensal gut microbiota acting on dietary components and host-derived substances. These metabolites include short-chain fatty acids, secondary bile acids, and various phenolic compounds, which serve as critical communication signals between the gut and distant organ systems. Their concentration and composition are powerful indicators of microbial function, exerting profound effects on host energy metabolism, immune system regulation, and neuroendocrine signaling. The balance of these circulating compounds is essential for systemic health and hormonal homeostasis.
Origin
This term is a descriptive label that originated in the fields of metabolomics and gut microbiome research, focusing on the end products of microbial action within the digestive tract. The concept emphasizes the role of the microbiota as a metabolic organ that produces compounds, the metabolites, that enter the host’s circulation. The clinical relevance in hormonal health is underscored by the discovery that specific microbial metabolites, such as those produced by the estrobolome, directly modulate the bioavailability and activity of steroid hormones like estrogen.
Mechanism
The mechanism involves the microbial breakdown of complex, non-digestible substrates, such as dietary fiber and proteins, through fermentation and other enzymatic processes. For example, fiber fermentation yields short-chain fatty acids, which act on G-protein coupled receptors on host cells to regulate satiety and energy expenditure. Other metabolites, like secondary bile acids, modulate host nuclear receptors, influencing glucose and lipid metabolism. These compounds are absorbed into the portal circulation and act as systemic signals, directly connecting the functional state of the gut microbiome to the host’s endocrine and metabolic systems.
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