Novel approaches in IBD therapy: targeting the gut microbiota-bile acid axis

ABSTRACT

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic and recurrent condition affecting the gastrointestinal tract. Disturbed gut microbiota and abnormal bile acid (BA) metabolism are notable in IBD, suggesting a bidirectional relationship. Specifically, the diversity of the gut microbiota influences BA composition, whereas altered BA profiles can disrupt the microbiota. IBD patients often exhibit increased primary bile acid and reduced secondary bile acid concentrations due to a diminished bacteria population essential for BA metabolism. This imbalance activates BA receptors, undermining intestinal integrity and immune function. Consequently, targeting the microbiota-BA axis may rectify these disturbances, offering symptomatic relief in IBD. Here, the interplay between gut microbiota and bile acids (BAs) is reviewed, with a particular focus on the role of gut microbiota in mediating bile acid biotransformation, and contributions of the gut microbiota-BA axis to IBD pathology to unveil potential novel therapeutic avenues for IBD.

KEYWORDS:

• Inflammatory bowel disease
• gut microbiota
• bile acid biotransformation
• bile acid-activated receptor
• engineered bacteria

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was financially supported by Science and Technology Research Program of Chongqing Education Commission of China (KJZD-K202001603); Chongqing Professional Talents Plan for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Demonstration Team (CQCY201903258, cstc2021ycjh-bgzxm0202); Graduate Research and Innovation Foundation of Chongqing, China (CYB22070).