Dual-Ion Co-Regulation System Enabling High-Performance Electrochemical Artificial Yarn Muscles with Energy-Free Catch States

Artificial yarn muscles show great potential in applications requiring low-energy consumption while maintaining high performance. However, conventional designs have been limited by weak ion-yarn muscle interactions and inefficient “rocking-chair” ion migration. To address these limitations, we present an electrochemical artificial yarn muscle design driven by a dual-ion co-regulation system. By utilizing two reaction channels, this system shortens ion migration pathways, leading to faster and more efficient actuation. During the charging/discharging process, PF_6~- ions react with carbon nanotube yarn, while Li~+ ions react with an Al foil. The intercalation reaction between PF_6~- and collapsed carbon nanotubes allows the yarn muscle to achieve an energy-free high-tension catch state. The dual-ion coordinated yarn muscles exhibit superior contractile stroke, maximum contractile rate, and maximum power densities, exceeding those of “rocking-chair” type ion migration yarn muscles. The dual-ion co-regulation system enhances the ion migration rate during actuation, resulting in improved performance. Moreover, the yarn muscles can withstand high levels of isometric stress, displaying a stress of 61 times that of skeletal muscles and 8 times that of “rocking-chair” type yarn muscles at higher frequencies. This technology holds significant potential for various applications, including prosthetics and robotics.

Food safety regulatory systems in Europe and China:A study of how co-regulation can improve regulatory effectiveness

Food safety has received a great deal of attention in both developed and developing countries in recent years. In China, the numerous food scandals and scares that have struck over the past decade have spurred significant food safety regulatory reform, which has been increasingly oriented towards the public-private partnership model adopted by the Europe Union＇s （EU） food safety regulatory system. This paper analyzes the development of both the EU＇s and China＇s food safety regu- latory systems, identifies the current challenges for China and additionally considers the role of public-private partnership. The success of co-regulation in the food regulatory system would bring significant benefits and opportunities for China. Finally, this paper recommends additional measures like training and grants to improve the private＇s sector effectiveness in co-regulating China＇s food safety issues.

Diet and physical activity influence the composition of gut microbiota,benefit on Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disease with complex etiology.Gut microbiota influences the gutbrain axis,which may affect pathways related to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.Additionally,diet and physical activity are likely to affect the pathology of Alzheimer's disease as well as the gut microbiota.This demonstrates that it may be possible to prevent or halt the progression of Alzheimer's disease by regulating the gut microbiota using diet and physical activity strategies.Therefore,the present study reviews the association between these two interventions and gut microbiota in the human body.It also summarizes how these two interventions benefit Alzheimer's disease.Furthermore,the primary limitations of these two interventions are discussed and promising strategies are proposed,which may be beneficial to further study and develop the intervening measure for the progression of Alzheimer's disease.

Immune cell signatures and causal association with irritable bowel syndrome:A mendelian randomization study

BACKGROUND The mucosal barrier's immune-brain interactions,pivotal for neural development and function,are increasingly recognized for their potential causal and therapeutic relevance to irritable bowel syndrome(IBS).Prior studies linking immune inflammation with IBS have been inconsistent.To further elucidate this relationship,we conducted a Mendelian randomization(MR)analysis of 731 immune cell markers to dissect the influence of various immune phenotypes on IBS.Our goal was to deepen our understanding of the disrupted brain-gut axis in IBS and to identify novel therapeutic targets.AIM To leverage publicly available data to perform MR analysis on 731 immune cell markers and explore their impact on IBS.We aimed to uncover immunophenotypic associations with IBS that could inform future drug development and therapeutic strategies.METHODS We performed a comprehensive two-sample MR analysis to evaluate the causal relationship between immune cell markers and IBS.By utilizing genetic data from public databases,we examined the causal associations between 731 immune cell markers,encompassing median fluorescence intensity,relative cell abundance,absolute cell count,and morphological parameters,with IBS susceptibility.Sensitivity analyses were conducted to validate our findings and address potential heterogeneity and pleiotropy.RESULTS Bidirectional false discovery rate correction indicated no significant influence of IBS on immunophenotypes.However,our analysis revealed a causal impact of IBS on 30 out of 731 immune phenotypes(P<0.05).Nine immune phenotypes demonstrated a protective effect against IBS[inverse variance weighting(IVW)<0.05,odd ratio(OR)<1],while 21 others were associated with an increased risk of IBS onset(IVW≥0.05,OR≥1).CONCLUSION Our findings underscore a substantial genetic correlation between immune cell phenotypes and IBS,providing valuable insights into the pathophysiology of the condition.These results pave the way for the development of more precise biomarkers and targeted therapies for IBS.Furthermore,this research enriches our comprehension of immune cell roles in IBS pathogenesis,offering a foundation for more effective,personalized treatment approaches.These advancements hold promise for improving IBS patient quality of life and reducing the disease burden on individuals and their families.

Effect of amitriptyline on gastrointestinal function and brain-gut peptides: A double-blind trial

AIM: To study the effects of low-dose amitriptyline (AMT) on gastrointestinal function and brain-gut peptides in healthy Chinese volunteers. METHODS: This was a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, two-period cross-over trial. Twentyeight healthy volunteers were randomised and administered 1-wk treatments of AMT (12.5 mg tid) or placebo. Before and during the final two days of treatment, gastric emptying, proximal gastric accommodation and visceral sensitivity were measured by drinkingultrasonography test; the orocecal transit time (OCTT) was measured by lactulose hydrogen breath test, and fasting blood was collected. Plasma levels of ghrelin, motilin and neuropeptide Y (NPY) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits.RESULTS: AMT slowed the OCTT (109.2 ± 29.68 min vs 96.61 ± 23.9 min, P = 0.004) but did not affect liquid gastric emptying and had no effect on proximal gastric accommodation. AMT resulted in decreases in the visual analogue scale (VAS) for difficulty in drinking 600 and 800 mL of water (3.57 ± 0.94 vs 2.98 ± 0.85, 5.57 ± 0.82 vs 4.57 ± 0.98, P < 0.01 for both), although it had no significant effect on the VAS for difficulty in drinking 200 mL and 400 mL of water. AMT significantly increased the plasma ghrelin level (442.87 ± 176.79 pg/mL vs 526.87 ± 158.44 pg/mL, P = 0.04) and the neuropeptide-Y level (890.15 ± 131.46 pg/mL vs 965.64 ± 165.63 pg/mL, P = 0.03), whereas it had no effect on the MTL level. CONCLUSION: Low-dose AMT could slow OCTT, make the stomach less sensitive and increase the plasma levels of ghrelin and NPY. Thus, we recommend the use of low-dose AMT for functional gastrointestinal disorders.

Brain-gut axis in the pathogenesis of Helicobacter pylori infection

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is the main pathogenic factor for upper digestive tract organic diseases. In addition to direct cytotoxic and proinflammatory effects, H. pylori infection may also induce abnormalities indirectly by affecting the brain-gut axis, similar to other microorganisms present in the alimentary tract. The brain-gut axis integrates the central, peripheral, enteric and autonomic nervous systems, as well as the endocrine and immunological systems, with gastrointestinal functions and environmental stimuli, including gastric and intestinal microbiota. The bidirectional relationship between H. pylori infection and the brain-gut axis influences both the contagion process and the host&#x02019;s neuroendocrine-immunological reaction to it, resulting in alterations in cognitive functions, food intake and appetite, immunological response, and modification of symptom sensitivity thresholds. Furthermore, disturbances in the upper and lower digestive tract permeability, motility and secretion can occur, mainly as a form of irritable bowel syndrome. Many of these abnormalities disappear following H. pylori eradication. H. pylori may have direct neurotoxic effects that lead to alteration of the brain-gut axis through the activation of neurogenic inflammatory processes, or by microelement deficiency secondary to functional and morphological changes in the digestive tract. In digestive tissue, H. pylori can alter signaling in the brain-gut axis by mast cells, the main brain-gut axis effector, as H. pylori infection is associated with decreased mast cell infiltration in the digestive tract. Nevertheless, unequivocal data concerning the direct and immediate effect of H. pylori infection on the brain-gut axis are still lacking. Therefore, further studies evaluating the clinical importance of these host-bacteria interactions will improve our understanding of H. pylori infection pathophysiology and suggest new therapeutic approaches.

New technologies to investigate the brain-gut axis

Functional gastrointestinal disorders are commonly encountered in clinical practice, and pain is their commonest presenting symptom. In addition, patients with these disorders often demonstrate a heightened sensitivity to experimental visceral stimulation, termed visceral pain hypersensitivity that is likely to be important in their pathophysiology. Knowledge of how the brain processes sensory information from visceral structures is still in its infancy. However, our understanding has been propelled by technological imaging advances such as functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Positron Emission Tomography, Magnetoencephalography, and Electroencephalography （EEG）. Numerous human studies have non-invasively demonstrated the complexity involved in functional pain processing, and highlighted a number of subcortical and cortical regions involved. This review will focus on the neurophysiological pathways （primary afferents, spinal and supraspinal transmission）, brainimaging techniques and the influence of endogenous and psychological processes in healthy controls and patients suffering from functional gastrointestinal disorders. Special attention will be paid to the newer EEG source analysis techniques. Understanding the phenotypic differences that determine an individual＇s response to injurious stimuli could be the key to understanding why some patients develop pain and hyperalgesia in response to inflammation/injury while others do not. For future studies, an integrated approach is required incorporating an individual＇s psychological, autonomic, neuroendocrine, neurophysiological, and genetic profile to define phenotypic traits that may be at greater risk of developing sensitised states in response to gut inflammation or injury.

Neuroimaging the brain-gut axis in patients with irritable bowel syndrome

AIM:To summarize and synthesize current literature on neuroimaging the brain-gut axis in patients with irritable bowel syndrome(IBS).METHODS:A database search for relevant literature was conducted using Pub Med,Scopus and Embase in February 2015.Date filters were applied from the year2009 and onward,and studies were limited to those written in the English language and those performed upon human subjects.The initial search yielded 797articles,out of which 38 were pulled for full text review and 27 were included for study analysis.Investigations were reviewed to determine study design,methodology and results,and data points were placed in tabular format to facilitate analysis of study findings across disparate investigations.RESULTS:Analysis of study data resulted in the abstraction of four key themes:Neurohormonal differences,anatomic measurements of brain structure and connectivity,differences in functional responsiveness of the brain during rectal distention,and confounding/correlating patient factors.Studies in this review noted alterations of glutamate in the left hippocampus(HIPP),commonalities across IBS subjects in terms of brain oscillation patterns,cortical thickness/gray matter volume differences,and neuroanatomical regions withincreased activation in patients with IBS:Anterio cingulate cortex,mid cingulate cortex,amygdala anterior insula,posterior insula and prefrontal cortex.A striking finding among interventions was the substantia influence that patient variables(e.g.,sex,psychologica and disease related factors)had upon the identification of neuroanatomical differences in structure and con nectivity.CONCLUSION:The field of neuroimaging can provide insight into underlying physiological differences that distinguish patients with IBS from a healthy population.

Role of the brain-gut axis in gastrointestinal cancer

Several studies have largely focused on the significant role of the nervous and immune systems in the process of tumorigenesis, including tumor growth, proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis. The brain-gut-axis is a new paradigm in neuroscience, which describes the biochemical signaling between the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and the central nervous system. This axis may play a critical role in the tumorigenesis and development of GI cancers. Mechanistically, the bidirectional signal transmission of the brain-gut-axis is complex and remains to be elucidated. In this article, we review the current findings concerning the relationship between the brain-gut axis and GI cancer cells, focusing on the significant role of the brain-gut axis in the processes of tumor proliferation, invasion, apoptosis, autophagy, and metastasis. It appears that the brain might modulate GI cancer by two pathways: the anatomical nerve pathway and the neuroendocrine route. The simulation and inactivation of the central nervous, sympathetic, and parasympathetic nervous systems, or changes in the innervation of the GI tract might contribute to a higher incidence of GI cancers. In addition, neurotransmitters and neurotrophic factors can produce stimulatory or inhibitory effects in the progression of GI cancers. Insights into these mechanisms may lead to the discovery of potential prognostic and therapeutic targets.

Study on the regulation of brain-gut peptide by Shenling Baizhu San in functional diarrhea rats

Objective:To explore the therapeutic mechanism of Shenling Baizhu San (SLBZS) on functional diarrhea (FDr) by studying the brain-gut axis and related neuropeptides.Methods:Sixty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the control group,model group,SLBZS-treated group and Montmorillonite Powder-treated group (MP-treated group) (n =15/group).Rats received gavage after the establishment of functional diarrhea.An equal volume of SLBZS solution and Montmorillonite Powder (MP) solution was administered to the SLBZS-treated group and MP-treated group,respectively,and an equal volume of distilled water was administered to the control group and the model group.The chemical components and targets related to SLBZS were identified from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and Traditional Chinese Medicine Integrated Database (TCMID).The effective chemical components were screened based on oral bioavailability (OB) and drug like-index (DL),and their biological functions were analyzed by GlueGO.Based on this screening,the expression of Cholecystokinin (CCK) and Ghrelin in the hypothalamus of rats was detected by real-time PCR (RT-PCR) and western blotting.Results:In this study,72 effective components and 190 core targets of SLBZS were screened.SLBZS may regulate smooth muscle contraction,energy metabolism and other biological processes.The results of RT-PCR showed that in the model group,the expression of CCK mRNA (P =.001) and Ghrelin mRNA (P =.000) increased significantly.Compared with the model group,CCK mRNA (P =.007) and Ghrelin mRNA (P =.001) levels in SLBZS-treated rats were decreased significantly.The results of western blotting showed that in the model group,the protein expression of CCK (P =.001) and Ghrelin (P =.000) increased significantly.The protein levels of CCK (P =.001) and Ghrelin (P =.005) in the SLBZS-treated group were decreased significantly compared with the model group.Conclusion:SLBZS improved functional diarrhea by regulating the brain-gut axis.Changes in the expressions of brain-gut peptide,CCK and Ghrelin might explain the pathogenesis of functional diarrhea related to brain-gut peptide and gastrointestinal hormone.

Application progress of Chinese medicine in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome based on the brain-gut axis theory

Irritable bowel syndrome is one of the most common functional gastrointestinal diseases,with a global prevalence of about 12%[1].Modern studies have shown that the abnormality of brain-gut peptides is closely related to the occurrence of irritable bowel syndrome.This article starts with vasoactive intestinal peptide,substance P,serotonin,neuropeptide Y,corticotropin releasing factor,calcitonin gene-related peptide,cholecystokinin and other brain-gut peptides and their correlation with intestinal flora,to summarize the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with traditional Chinese medicine in recent years.

Co-regulator NCOA5 and cancer

NCOA5 encodes a co-regulator for estrogen receptors(ERαand ERβ),orphan nuclear receptors(REV-ERBαand REV-ERBβ)and liver X receptor.It can influence many cellular processes by either promoting or inhibiting gene expression through its two important functional motifs:LxxLL(co-activator)andΦxxΦΦ(co-repressor).Many reports have revealed the important roles of NCOA5 in diseases,such as diabetes,reproductive defects and autoimmune disease.In this review,we focus on its function in cancers and summary the current research progresses regarding its different roles in various cancers.

Therapeutic effect of zhuodu theory on ulcerative colitis and its effect on brain-gut peptide in serum and inflammatory factor

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic effect of traditional Chinese medicine xiezhuojiedu decoction on ulcerative colitis(UC)based on zhuodu theory and its effect on serum brain-gut peptide and inflammatory factors.Methods:110 cases of UC patients were divided into 2 groups according to the random number table method,with 55 cases in each group.The control group was treated with mesalazine,and the treatment group was given oral administration of Chinese medicine xiezhuojiedu decoction on the basis of the control group.Both groups received continuous treatment for 8 weeks.Integral of TCM syndromes,serum inflammatory factor and brain-gut peptide before and after treatment were compared between the two groups.The clinical efficiency,mucosal healing rate and endoscopic response rate of the two groups were compared.Results:After treatment,Integral of the main TCM syndromes abdominal pain,diarrhea,abdominal distention,mucous hematochezia,tenesmus of the treatment group were lower than the control group(P<0.01),the levels of serum(Tumor necrosis factor-α,(TNF-α),Interleukin(IL)-33,Substance P(SP)were lower than the control group(P<0.01),the levels of IL-10,vasoactive intestinal peptide(VIP),Somatostatin(SS)were higher than the control group(P<0.01),the clinical efficiency and mucosal healing rate were higher than control group(P<0.05),The difference was statistically significant.Conclusion:Based on the zhuodu theory,the xiezhuojiedu decoction can effectively regulate the levels of inflammatory factor and brain-gut peptide in the treatment of UC,improve the symptoms of patients,and promote the repair of intestinal mucosa.It's effective in treatment.

Clinical Application and Mechanism of Acupuncture in the Brain-Gut Interaction

Acupuncture and moxibustion is an important part of traditional medicine.Acupuncture and moxibustion can affect the digestive function of human body by interfering with the interaction between the brain and the intestines,while simultaneously having a benign adjustment effect on the mental state.In recent years,a large number of clinical studies at home and abroad have further proved the importance of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of physical and mental diseases,and related mechanism studies have provided modern scientific evidence for the intervention of acupuncture and moxibustion in the brain-gut interaction from the perspectives of intestinal flora and brain functional imaging.On this basis,we integrate relevant viewpoints to provide ideas and methods for future research.

Effect of Xiaoyao San on the brain-gut axis in rats after chronic immobilization stress

Objective:To investigate the effect of Xiaoyao San on the brain-gut axis in rats exposed to chronic immobilization stress (ClS).Methods:Rats were divided into control,model,and treatment groups.The rats belonging to the model and treatment groups were subjected to CIS for 21 consecutive days,during which they were administered Xiaoyao San decoction [3.854 g/(kg· d)] or vehicle by gavage,and their body weight gain,food intake and water intake were monitored.The rats were subsequently subjected to the open field test (OFT) and D-XyloSe absorption test,and the expression levels of neuropeptides secreted by the hypothalamus and stomach were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA),radioimmune analysis,or real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction.Gastric mucosal morphology was also assessed.Results:The model rats exhibited complex brain-gut axis abnormalities following exposure to CIS,abnormalities signified by decreases in food intake,reductions in digestive absorption,decreases in body weight,decreases in the total distances traveled and increases in the time in the central zone during the OFT,gastric mucosal lesion development and decreases in gastrointestinal hormone secretion.These changes were reversed after treatment with Xiaoyao San,which also regulated the secretion of both peripheral (serum and stomach) and central (hypothalamus) brain-gut peptides.Specifically,the levels of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and neuropeptide Y receptor Y5,which are secreted by the hypothalamus and promote digestive function,were increased in the Xiaoyao San-treated group compared with the model group.Furthermore,the levels of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) and its receptor,melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R),which are secreted by the hypothalamus and inhibit digestive function,were significantly decreased in the treatment group compared with the model group.However,the levels of ghrelin (GHRL),gastrin (GAS) and motilin (MTL),which are secreted by the stomach,were significantly increased in the serum and stomach of the treatment group compared with the serum and stomach of the model group following Xiaoyao San treatment (P <.05 vs.the model group).Conclusion:Xiaoyao San attenuates CIS-induced gastrointestinal dysregulation by regulating the peptides secreted by both the hypothalamus and the gastrointestinal tract (GIT),suggesting that its effects are associated with the brain-gut axis.

Role of the histone methyltransferases Ezh2 and Suv4-20h1/Suv4-20h2 in neurogenesis

Mechanisms regulating neurogenesis involve broad and complex processes that represent intriguing therapeutic targets in the field of regenerative medicine.One influential factor guiding neural stem cell proliferation and cellular differentiation during neurogenesis are epigenetic mechanisms.We present an overview of epigenetic mechanisms including chromatin structure and histone modifications;and discuss novel roles of two histone modifiers,Ezh2 and Suv4-20h1/Suv4-20h2(collectively referred to as Suv4-20h),in neurodevelopment and neurogenesis.This review will focus on broadly reviewing epigenetic regulatory components,the roles of epigenetic components during neurogenesis,and potential applications in regenerative medicine.

Co-regulation of mitochondrial and chloroplast function: Molecular components and mechanisms

The metabolic interdependence,interactions,and coordination of functions between chloroplasts and mitochondria are established and intensively studied.However,less is known about the regulatory components that control these interactions and their responses to external stimuli.Here,we outline how chloroplastic and mitochondrial activities are coordinated via common components involved in signal transduction pathways,gene regulatory events,and post-transcriptional processes.The endoplasmic reticulum emerges as a point of convergence for both transcriptional and post-transcriptional pathways that coordinate chloroplast and mitochondrial functions.Although the identification of molecular components and mechanisms of chloroplast and mitochondrial signaling increasingly suggests common players,this raises the question of how these allow for distinct organelle-specific downstream pathways.Outstanding questions with respect to the regulation of post-transcriptional pathways and the cell and/or tissue specificity of organelle signaling are crucial for understanding how these pathways are integrated at a wholeplant level to optimize plant growth and its response to changing environmental conditions.

Mediating effect of acarbose on neurotransmitters in mental disorders: a review

Acarbose is used to control postpran-dial blood glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance,since it improves insulin resistance and reduces blood lipids and cardiovascular complications.However,in recent years,many studies have found that acarbose can mediate and regulate a variety of neurotransmitter-related diseases,although the mechanisms are not clear.Therefore,this paper analyzes the clinical effect of acarbose and its mediating effect on neurotransmitters of mental disorders through insulin,braingut axis,and calorie restriction,to provide a reference for the new clinical applications of acarbose.

Acupuncture and regulation of gastrointestinal function

In China, acupuncture has been considered an effective method for treating gastrointestinal(GI) dysfunction diseases for thousands of years. In fact, acupuncture has gained progressive acceptance from both practitioners and patients worldwide. However, the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms in treating GI dysfunction have not yet been established due to a lack of systematic and comprehensive review articles. Therefore, the aim of this review is to discuss the efficacy of acupuncture as a treatment for GI dysfunction and the associated underlying mechanisms. A search of Pub Med was conducted for articles that were published over the past 10 years using the terms "acupuncture", "gastrointestine", and other relevant keywords. In the following review, we describe the effect and underlying mechanisms of acupuncture on GI function from the perspectives of GI motility, visceral sensitivity, the GI barrier, and the brain-gut axis. The dual regulatory effects of acupuncture may manifest by promoting gastric peristalsis in subjects with low initial gastric motility, and suppressing peristalsis in subjects with active initial motility. In addition, the regulation of acupuncture on gastric motility may be intensitydependent. Our findings suggest that further studies are needed to investigate the effects and more systematic mechanisms in treating GI dysfunction, and to promote the application of acupuncture for the treatment of GI diseases.

Influence of gut microbiota on neuropsychiatric disorders

The last decade has witnessed a growing appreciation of the fundamental role played by an early assembly of a diverse and balanced gut microbiota and its subsequent maintenance for future health of the host. Gut microbiota is currently viewed as a key regulator of a fluent bidirectional dialogue between the gut and the brain(gut-brain axis). A number of preclinical studies have suggested that the microbiota and its genome(microbiome) may play a key role in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. Furthermore, alterations in the gut microbiota composition in humans have also been linked to a variety of neuropsychiatric conditions, including depression, autism and Parkinson's disease. However, it is not yet clear whether these changes in the microbiome are causally related to such diseases or are secondary effects thereof. In this respect, recent studies in animals have indicated that gut microbiota transplantation can transfer a behavioral phenotype, suggesting that the gut microbiota may be a modifiable factor modulating the development or pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric conditions. Further studies are warranted to establish whether or not the findings of preclinical animal experiments can be generalized to humans. Moreover, although different communication routes between the microbiota and brain have been identified, further studies must elucidate all the underlying mechanisms involved. Such research is expected to contribute to the design of strategies to modulate the gut microbiota and its functions with a view to improving mental health, and thus provide opportunities to improve the management of psychiatric diseases. Here, we review the evidence supporting a role of the gut microbiota in neuropsychiatric disorders and the state of the art regarding the mechanisms underlying its contribution to mental illness and health. We also consider the stages of life where the gut microbiota is more susceptible to the effects of environmental stressors, and the possible microbiota-targeted intervention strategies that could improve health status and prevent psychiatric disorders in the near future.