Page 34 - JCBP-3-3

Journal of Clinical and
Basic Psychosomatics Microbiota in psychosomatic disorders

Table 1. (Continued)
Bacteria Metabolites Metabolite function Dysbiosis
Akkermansia Acetate Acts as a precursor for butyrate production, supports • Chronic inflammation, antibiotic use, and
muciniphila gut barrier function, and provides energy to gut high-fat diets can reduce mucin secretion,
epithelial cells. 10 depriving A. muciniphila of its primary
Propionate A SCFA that regulates lipid metabolism and nutrient source.
influences glucose homeostasis and satiety. 10 • High‑fat, low‑fiber diets (Western‑style diets)
reduce A. muciniphila populations while
Mucin-derived By degrading mucin, A. muciniphila releases promoting gut inflammation.
oligosaccharides oligosaccharides that nourish other beneficial • Dysregulated immune responses and gut
bacteria. 141,142 barrier damage negatively impact
+
Ammonium (NH₄ ) and Byproducts of mucin degradation that influence gut A. muciniphila growth.
sulfate (SO₄₄² ) - microbial composition. 21,22,46 • Lower levels of A. muciniphila are linked to
metabolic dysfunction and insulin resistance.
Extracellular vesicles Small membrane-bound particles that regulate
141 142
immune responses. , Strengthen gut barrier
integrity by interacting with intestinal epithelial
cells. 21,22,46
Bacteroides spp. Acetate Precursor for butyrate production and supports gut • High‑fiber diets promote beneficial
epithelial health. 10 Bacteroides species, while high-fat, low-fiber
Propionate Regulates lipid metabolism and glucose homeostasis diets favor more pro-inflammatory strains.
and reduces inflammation. 10 • While some Bacteroides species produce
anti-inflammatory compounds
Succinate A metabolic intermediate that can be beneficial but (e.g., polysaccharide A), others can promote
may promote inflammation when accumulated. 10 inflammation in a dysbiotic gut.
Bile acid metabolites Bacteroides can modify bile acids, influencing fat • Opportunistic Bacteroides species, such
digestion and microbial composition. 41,127 as B. fragilis, can contribute to infections
and inflammation when the gut barrier is
Polysaccharide A A key immunomodulatory molecule that stimulates compromised.
anti-inflammatory responses (e.g., increasing • Altered bile acid metabolism due to gut
regulatory T cells) and helps maintain gut immune dysbiosis can affect Bacteroides’ growth and
homeostasis. 21,22,46 function.
Sphingolipids Essential for gut barrier function and host lipid • Bacteroides thrive in anaerobic environments,
metabolism. 36 and increased gut oxygen levels (e.g., due to
inflammation) can disrupt their balance.
arthritis, Clostridium perfringens in multiple sclerosis, and 2.1. SCFA and inflammation
Enterococcus gallinarum in lupus, all of which exacerbate One key function of the gut microbiota is aiding in
immune dysregulation and systemic inflammation. 26,27 the digestion of dietary components, such as complex
These microbial alterations demonstrate that dysbiosis is carbohydrates and fiber, producing SCFAs such
context-dependent, influencing various disease processes as acetate, propionate, and butyrate. These SCFAs
through gut barrier dysfunction, immune modulation, support colonocyte energy, regulate metabolism, and
and metabolic disruption. Understanding these specific maintain gut barrier function. For example, Firmicutes
microbial shifts is crucial for developing targeted ferment dietary fibers into butyrate, which strengthens
microbiome-based therapies, including probiotics, pre- gut barrier integrity and reduces inflammation,
biotics, dietary modifications, and fecal microbiota while Bacteroides break down polysaccharides and
transplantation, to restore microbial balance and improve promote energy extraction from food. Actinobacteria,
disease outcomes. 28,29 particularly Bifidobacterium, break down complex
Dysbiosis also plays a critical role in neuropsychiatric sugars and oligosaccharides 33,34 (Table 1). Maintaining
disorders, where reductions in Bifidobacterium, gut barrier integrity is another essential role of the gut
Lactobacillus, and F. prausnitzii are linked to microbiota. The microbiota helps reinforce the mucus
altered neurotransmitter production and increased layer lining the intestines, preventing harmful pathogens
neuroinflammation, while elevated levels of Clostridium, and toxins from entering the bloodstream. Another
and Enterobacteriaceae contribute to conditions such as key role of SCFAs is modulating neuroinflammation,
depression, autism, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s which is implicated in mood disorders such as anxiety
disease. 30-32 and depression. Butyrate, in particular, exerts anti-

Volume 3 Issue 3 (2025) 28 doi: 10.36922/JCBP025040008