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Special Issue "The Role of Microbiota in Upper and Lower Gastrointestinal Functional Disorders"

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A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Gut Microbiota".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 29 February 2024 | Viewed by 8688

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Dr. Emanuele Sinagra

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Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Unit, Fondazione Istituto Giuseppe Giglio, Contrada Pietra Pollastra Pisciotto, 90015 Cefalù, Italy
Interests: gastroenterology; gastrointestinal endoscopy; irritable bowel syndrome; inflammatory bowel disease; ERCP; EUS
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Dr. Francesco Vito Mandarino

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IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
Interests: gastroenterology; gastrointestinal endoscopy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) are a highly prevalent group of disorders diagnosed solely by symptomatology as there is a lack of understanding of the underlying structural or chemical abnormalities. Common FGIDs include gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), functional dysphagia, functional dyspepsia, gastroparesis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional constipation, diarrhea, and fecal Incontinence. Different mechanisms have been understood to play a role in pathogenesis including disturbance in motility, altered mucosal and immune function, visceral hypersensitivity, disturbance in gut microbiota, and altered processing of visceral signals in the central nervous system (CNS), in the "so called" gut-brain axis. Recently, studies have shown that one of the main inputs to the gut-brain axis comes from microbiota, leading to the coining of the term ‘microbiome-gut-brain axis’.

Dr. Emanuele Sinagra
Dr. Francesco Vito Mandarino
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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Keywords

microbiota
microbiome
mycoma
viroma
bacterium
fungi
protozoa
FGID
gastroparesis
functional dyspepsia
functional constipation
irritable bowel syndrome

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Editorial

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4 pages, 213 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

The Role of Microbiota in Upper and Lower Gastrointestinal Functional Disorders

Francesco Vito Mandarino

Emanuele Sinagra

Dario Raimondo

and

Silvio Danese

Microorganisms 2023, 11(4), 980; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11040980 - 09 Apr 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 798

Abstract

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), also known as disorders of gut–brain interaction, are a group of disorders characterized by chronic gastrointestinal symptoms in the absence of demonstrable pathology on conventional testing [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Microbiota in Upper and Lower Gastrointestinal Functional Disorders)

Research

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11 pages, 2099 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Efficacy, Safety, and Concerns on Microbiota Modulation, Antibiotics, Probiotics, and Fecal Microbial Transplant for Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Other Gastrointestinal Conditions: Results from an International Survey

Tommaso Lorenzo Parigi

Sophie Vieujean

Kristine Paridaens

Kira Dalgaard

Laurent Peyrin-Biroulet

and

Silvio Danese

Microorganisms 2023, 11(11), 2806; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11112806 - 19 Nov 2023

Viewed by 629

Abstract

The gut microbiota play a pivotal role in human health. Dysbiosis, alterations in microbiota composition and function, is associated with gastrointestinal disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This international survey aimed to assess physicians’ experiences, perceptions, and practices related to microbiome modulation for gastrointestinal conditions, with a focus on IBD. Results from 142 healthcare professionals, predominantly gastroenterologists, confirmed a consensus on the relevance of the gut microbiota in IBD pathogenesis. However, the utilization of microbial composition analysis and probiotics in clinical practice was limited, primarily due to the lack of standardized guidelines and supporting evidence. Physicians held conflicting views on antibiotics, recognizing their potential for inducing remission but also causing flares in IBD. Respondents also had varying opinions on the efficacy of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) for different gastrointestinal conditions, with higher confidence in FMT effectiveness for irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea, pouchitis, and ulcerative colitis. Concerns on FMT included uncertainty about effect duration, administration intervals, and conflicting evidence. Donor selection was believed to be a crucial factor in FMT outcomes. This survey highlights the need for further research and evidence-based guidelines to optimize the use of microbiome-based therapies in clinical practice. As our understanding of the gut microbiome continues to evolve, these insights will contribute to more informed and personalized approaches to managing gastrointestinal disorders. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Microbiota in Upper and Lower Gastrointestinal Functional Disorders)

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16 pages, 2091 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Fecal Microbial Composition and Predicted Functional Profile in Irritable Bowel Syndrome Differ between Subtypes and Geographical Locations

Jose F. Garcia-Mazcorro

Mercedes Amieva-Balmori

and

Microorganisms 2023, 11(10), 2493; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11102493 - 05 Oct 2023

Viewed by 897

Abstract

Increasing evidence suggests a microbial pathogenesis in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) but the relationship remains elusive. Fecal DNA samples from 120 patients with IBS, 82 Mexican (IBS-C: n = 33, IBS-D: n = 24, IBS-M: n = 25) and 38 British (IBS-C: n = 6, IBS-D: n = 27, IBS-M: n = 5), were available for analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Firmicutes (mean: 82.1%), Actinobacteria (10.2%), and Bacteroidetes (4.4%) were the most abundant taxa. The analysis of all samples (n = 120), and females (n = 94) only, showed no significant differences in bacterial microbiota, but the analysis of Mexican patients (n = 82) showed several differences in key taxa (e.g., Faecalibacterium) among the different IBS subtypes. In IBS-D there were significantly higher Bacteroidetes in British patients (n = 27) than in Mexican patients (n = 24), suggesting unique fecal microbiota signatures within the same IBS subtype. These differences in IBS-D were also observed at lower phylogenetic levels (e.g., higher Enterobacteriaceae and Streptococcus in Mexican patients) and were accompanied by differences in several alpha diversity metrics. Beta diversity was not different among IBS subtypes when using all samples, but the analysis of IBS-D patients revealed consistent differences between Mexican and British patients. This study suggests that fecal microbiota is different between IBS subtypes and also within each subtype depending on geographical location. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Microbiota in Upper and Lower Gastrointestinal Functional Disorders)

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Review

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31 pages, 3616 KiB

Open AccessReview

Gut Dysbiosis in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Narrative Review on Correlation with Disease Subtypes and Novel Therapeutic Implications

and

Francesco Vito Mandarino

Microorganisms 2023, 11(10), 2369; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11102369 - 22 Sep 2023

Viewed by 1224

Abstract

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a prevalent functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by chronic abdominal pain and altered bowel habits. It can be subclassified in different subtypes according to the main clinical manifestation: constipation, diarrhea, mixed, and unclassified. Over the past decade, the role of gut microbiota in IBS has garnered significant attention in the scientific community. Emerging research spotlights the intricate involvement of microbiota dysbiosis in IBS pathogenesis. Studies have demonstrated reduced microbial diversity and stability and specific microbial alterations for each disease subgroup. Microbiota-targeted treatments, such as antibiotics, probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation, and even diet, offer exciting prospects for managing IBS. However, definitive conclusions are hindered by the heterogeneity of these studies. Further research should focus on elucidating the mechanisms, developing microbiome-based diagnostics, and enabling personalized therapies tailored to an individual’s microbiome profile. This review takes a deep dive into the microscopic world inhabiting our guts, and its implications for IBS. Our aim is to elucidate the complex interplay between gut microbiota and each IBS subtype, exploring novel microbiota-targeted treatments and providing a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Microbiota in Upper and Lower Gastrointestinal Functional Disorders)

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24 pages, 1163 KiB

Open AccessReview

Microbiota in Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Endometriosis: Birds of a Feather Flock Together—A Review

Noemi Salmeri

Emanuele Sinagra

Carolina Dolci

Giovanni Buzzaccarini

and

Francesco Vito Mandarino

Microorganisms 2023, 11(8), 2089; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11082089 - 15 Aug 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1608

Abstract

Endometriosis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are chronic conditions affecting up to 10% of the global population, imposing significant burdens on healthcare systems and patient quality of life. Interestingly, around 20% of endometriosis patients also present with symptoms indicative of IBS. The pathogenesis of both these multifactorial conditions remains to be fully elucidated, but connections to gut microbiota are becoming more apparent. Emerging research underscores significant differences in the gut microbiota composition between healthy individuals and those suffering from either endometriosis or IBS. Intestinal dysbiosis appears pivotal in both conditions, exerting an influence via similar mechanisms. It impacts intestinal permeability, triggers inflammatory reactions, and initiates immune responses. Furthermore, it is entwined in a bidirectional relationship with the brain, as part of the gut–brain axis, whereby dysbiosis influences and is influenced by mental health and pain perception. Recent years have witnessed the development of microbiota-focused therapies, such as low FODMAP diets, prebiotics, probiotics, antibiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation, designed to tackle dysbiosis and relieve symptoms. While promising, these treatments present inconsistent data, highlighting the need for further research. This review explores the evidence of gut dysbiosis in IBS and endometriosis, underscoring the similar role of microbiota in both conditions. A deeper understanding of this common mechanism may enable enhanced diagnostics and therapeutic advancements. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Microbiota in Upper and Lower Gastrointestinal Functional Disorders)

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19 pages, 844 KiB

Open AccessReview

Gastroparesis: The Complex Interplay with Microbiota and the Role of Exogenous Infections in the Pathogenesis of the Disease

Francesco Vito Mandarino

and

Microorganisms 2023, 11(5), 1122; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11051122 - 25 Apr 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2502

Abstract

Gastroparesis (GP) is a disorder of gastric functions that is defined by objective delayed gastric emptying in the absence of mechanical obstruction. This disease is characterized by symptoms such as nausea, post-prandial fullness, and early satiety. GP significantly impacts patients’ quality of life and contributes to substantial healthcare expenses for families and society. However, the epidemiological burden of GP is difficult to evaluate, mainly due its significant overlap with functional dyspepsia (FD). GP and FD represent two similar diseases. The pathophysiology of both disorders involves abnormal gastric motility, visceral hypersensitivity, and mucosal inflammation. Moreover, both conditions share similar symptoms, such as epigastric pain, bloating, and early satiety. The latest evidence reveals that dysbiosis is directly or indirectly connected to gut–brain axis alterations, which are the basis of pathogenesis in both FD and GP. Furthermore, the role of microbiota in the development of gastroparesis was demonstrated by some clinical studies, which found that the use of probiotics is correlated with improvements in the gastric emptying time (GET). Infections (with viruses, bacteria, and protozoa) represent a proven etiology for GP but have not been sufficiently considered in current clinical practice. Previous viral infections can be found in about 20% of idiopathic GP cases. Moreover, delayed gastric emptying during systemic protozoal infections represents a huge concern for compromised patients, and few data exist on the topic. This comprehensive narrative review analyzes the relationship between microorganisms and GP. We explore, on the one hand, the correlation between gut microbiota dysbiosis and GP pathogenesis, including treatment implications, and, on the other hand, the association between exogenous infections and the etiology of the disease. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Microbiota in Upper and Lower Gastrointestinal Functional Disorders)

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Special Issue "The Role of Microbiota in Upper and Lower Gastrointestinal Functional Disorders"

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