Interkingdom signaling between gastrointestinal hormones and the gut microbiome

Gut Microbes. 2025 Dec;17(1):2456592. doi: 10.1080/19490976.2025.2456592. Epub 2025 Jan 24.

Abstract

The interplay between the gut microbiota and gastrointestinal hormones plays a pivotal role in the health of the host and the development of diseases. As a vital component of the intestinal microecosystem, the gut microbiota influences the synthesis and release of many gastrointestinal hormones through mechanisms such as modulating the intestinal environment, producing metabolites, impacting mucosal barriers, generating immune and inflammatory responses, and releasing neurotransmitters. Conversely, gastrointestinal hormones exert feedback regulation on the gut microbiota by modulating the intestinal environment, nutrient absorption and utilization, and the bacterial biological behavior and composition. The distributions of the gut microbiota and gastrointestinal hormones are anatomically intertwined, and close interactions between the gut microbiota and gastrointestinal hormones are crucial for maintaining gastrointestinal homeostasis. Interventions leveraging the interplay between the gut microbiota and gastrointestinal hormones have been employed in the clinical management of metabolic diseases and inflammatory bowel diseases, such as bariatric surgery and fecal microbiota transplantation, offering promising targets for the treatment of dysbiosis-related diseases.

Keywords: Gastrointestinal hormones; dysbiosis; gut microbiota; interkingdom signaling; metabolic disease.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacteria* / classification
  • Bacteria* / genetics
  • Bacteria* / metabolism
  • Dysbiosis* / microbiology
  • Fecal Microbiota Transplantation
  • Gastrointestinal Hormones* / metabolism
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome* / physiology
  • Gastrointestinal Tract / metabolism
  • Gastrointestinal Tract / microbiology
  • Homeostasis
  • Humans
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / metabolism
  • Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / microbiology
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Gastrointestinal Hormones