Microbiota–Gut–Brain Axis: Mass-Spectrometry-Based Metabolomics in the Study of Microbiome Mediators—Stress Relationship

The microbiota–gut–brain axis is a complex bidirectional communication system that involves multiple interactions between intestinal functions and the emotional and cognitive centers of the brain. These interactions are mediated by molecules (metabolites) produced in both areas, which are considered...

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Main Authors: Nicolò Interino, Rosalba Vitagliano, Federica D’Amico, Raffaele Lodi, Emanuele Porru, Silvia Turroni, Jessica Fiori
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Biomolecules
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/2/243
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author Nicolò Interino
Rosalba Vitagliano
Federica D’Amico
Raffaele Lodi
Emanuele Porru
Silvia Turroni
Jessica Fiori
author_facet Nicolò Interino
Rosalba Vitagliano
Federica D’Amico
Raffaele Lodi
Emanuele Porru
Silvia Turroni
Jessica Fiori
author_sort Nicolò Interino
collection DOAJ
description The microbiota–gut–brain axis is a complex bidirectional communication system that involves multiple interactions between intestinal functions and the emotional and cognitive centers of the brain. These interactions are mediated by molecules (metabolites) produced in both areas, which are considered mediators. To shed light on this complex mechanism, which is still largely unknown, a reliable characterization of the mediators is essential. Here, we review the most studied metabolites in the microbiota–gut–brain axis, the metabolic pathways in which they are involved, and their functions. This review focuses mainly on the use of mass spectrometry for their determination, reporting on the latest analytical methods, their limitations, and future perspectives. The analytical strategy for the qualitative–quantitative characterization of mediators must be reliable in order to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the influence of the above-mentioned axis on stress resilience or vulnerability.
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publishDate 2025-02-01
publisher MDPI AG
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series Biomolecules
spelling doaj-art-85d23ea4493a419f935c4c04c9bd38f52025-08-20T03:12:08ZengMDPI AGBiomolecules2218-273X2025-02-0115224310.3390/biom15020243Microbiota–Gut–Brain Axis: Mass-Spectrometry-Based Metabolomics in the Study of Microbiome Mediators—Stress RelationshipNicolò Interino0Rosalba Vitagliano1Federica D’Amico2Raffaele Lodi3Emanuele Porru4Silvia Turroni5Jessica Fiori6IRCCS Institute of Neurological Sciences of Bologna, 40139 Bologna, ItalyIRCCS Institute of Neurological Sciences of Bologna, 40139 Bologna, ItalyDepartment of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, ItalyIRCCS Institute of Neurological Sciences of Bologna, 40139 Bologna, ItalyOccupational Medicine Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Science, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, ItalyDepartment of Pharmacy and Biotechnology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, ItalyIRCCS Institute of Neurological Sciences of Bologna, 40139 Bologna, ItalyThe microbiota–gut–brain axis is a complex bidirectional communication system that involves multiple interactions between intestinal functions and the emotional and cognitive centers of the brain. These interactions are mediated by molecules (metabolites) produced in both areas, which are considered mediators. To shed light on this complex mechanism, which is still largely unknown, a reliable characterization of the mediators is essential. Here, we review the most studied metabolites in the microbiota–gut–brain axis, the metabolic pathways in which they are involved, and their functions. This review focuses mainly on the use of mass spectrometry for their determination, reporting on the latest analytical methods, their limitations, and future perspectives. The analytical strategy for the qualitative–quantitative characterization of mediators must be reliable in order to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the influence of the above-mentioned axis on stress resilience or vulnerability.https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/2/243microbiota–gut–brain axismass spectrometrystressmediatorsmetabolomics
spellingShingle Nicolò Interino
Rosalba Vitagliano
Federica D’Amico
Raffaele Lodi
Emanuele Porru
Silvia Turroni
Jessica Fiori
Microbiota–Gut–Brain Axis: Mass-Spectrometry-Based Metabolomics in the Study of Microbiome Mediators—Stress Relationship
Biomolecules
microbiota–gut–brain axis
mass spectrometry
stress
mediators
metabolomics
title Microbiota–Gut–Brain Axis: Mass-Spectrometry-Based Metabolomics in the Study of Microbiome Mediators—Stress Relationship
title_full Microbiota–Gut–Brain Axis: Mass-Spectrometry-Based Metabolomics in the Study of Microbiome Mediators—Stress Relationship
title_fullStr Microbiota–Gut–Brain Axis: Mass-Spectrometry-Based Metabolomics in the Study of Microbiome Mediators—Stress Relationship
title_full_unstemmed Microbiota–Gut–Brain Axis: Mass-Spectrometry-Based Metabolomics in the Study of Microbiome Mediators—Stress Relationship
title_short Microbiota–Gut–Brain Axis: Mass-Spectrometry-Based Metabolomics in the Study of Microbiome Mediators—Stress Relationship
title_sort microbiota gut brain axis mass spectrometry based metabolomics in the study of microbiome mediators stress relationship
topic microbiota–gut–brain axis
mass spectrometry
stress
mediators
metabolomics
url https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/2/243
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