Gut microbiota and irritable bowel syndrome.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder that poses a significant health concern. Although its etiology remains unknown, there are growing indications that gut dysbiosis is involved in IBS development and exacerbations. In this review, we summarize the literature on changes in and roles of the intestinal microbiota in relation to IBS. Previous studies have reported altered microbial diversity, abundance and composition in IBS patients when compared to controls. However, the evidence for dysbiosis or aberrant changes in the intestinal microbiota as a hallmark of IBS remains inconclusive due to heterogeneous results. The gut microbiota may affect IBS development by regulating the mucosal immune system, brain-gut-microbiome interaction, and intestinal barrier function. The advent of high-throughput multi-omics provides important insights into IBS pathogenesis and promotes the development of personalized treatment for IBS. We also discuss various gut microbiota manipulation strategies in details. Despite advances in microbiota-directed therapies available, large-scale, well-organized and long-term randomized controlled trials are highly warranted to assess the clinical effects. Overall, gut microbiota alterations play a critical role in IBS pathophysiology, and microbiota modulation holds significant therapeutic potential that deserves more research and attention. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.