Gut microbiota-mediated pain sensitization: mechanisms and therapeutic implications
Emerging evidence has illuminated the pivotal role of gut microbiota in modulating pain sensitivity through bidirectional gut-brain interactions. Current research demonstrates that gut microbial communities significantly influence pain perception by regulating both central and peripheral sensitizati...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Pain Research |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpain.2025.1626515/full |
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| author | Minghe Zhao Minghe Zhao Ling Zhang Zhihui Liu |
| author_facet | Minghe Zhao Minghe Zhao Ling Zhang Zhihui Liu |
| author_sort | Minghe Zhao |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Emerging evidence has illuminated the pivotal role of gut microbiota in modulating pain sensitivity through bidirectional gut-brain interactions. Current research demonstrates that gut microbial communities significantly influence pain perception by regulating both central and peripheral sensitization mechanisms across various pain modalities. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the mechanisms underlying gut microbiota-mediated pain sensitization, encompassing: (1) cross-talk within the microbiome-gut-brain axis, (2) regulatory effects of microbial metabolites on central and peripheral sensitization pathways, and (3) bioactive compounds derived from gut microbiota that participate in pain modulation. Furthermore, we systematically evaluate the therapeutic potential of microbiota-targeted interventions including probiotic supplementation, fecal microbiota transplantation, and dietary modifications in pain management. To advance this promising field, future investigations should prioritize three key directions: establishing causal relationships through rigorous verification, accelerating clinical translation of preclinical findings, and developing personalized microbial-based therapeutic strategies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e4d2db950ead4965ac243b366276cb85 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2673-561X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Pain Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-e4d2db950ead4965ac243b366276cb852025-08-20T03:28:50ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Pain Research2673-561X2025-07-01610.3389/fpain.2025.16265151626515Gut microbiota-mediated pain sensitization: mechanisms and therapeutic implicationsMinghe Zhao0Minghe Zhao1Ling Zhang2Zhihui Liu3Department of Anesthesiology, Baotou Central Hospital, Baotou, ChinaBaotou Clinical Medical College, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Baotou, ChinaDepartment of Gastroenterology, Baotou Central Hospital, Baotou, ChinaDepartment of Anesthesiology, Baotou Central Hospital, Baotou, ChinaEmerging evidence has illuminated the pivotal role of gut microbiota in modulating pain sensitivity through bidirectional gut-brain interactions. Current research demonstrates that gut microbial communities significantly influence pain perception by regulating both central and peripheral sensitization mechanisms across various pain modalities. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the mechanisms underlying gut microbiota-mediated pain sensitization, encompassing: (1) cross-talk within the microbiome-gut-brain axis, (2) regulatory effects of microbial metabolites on central and peripheral sensitization pathways, and (3) bioactive compounds derived from gut microbiota that participate in pain modulation. Furthermore, we systematically evaluate the therapeutic potential of microbiota-targeted interventions including probiotic supplementation, fecal microbiota transplantation, and dietary modifications in pain management. To advance this promising field, future investigations should prioritize three key directions: establishing causal relationships through rigorous verification, accelerating clinical translation of preclinical findings, and developing personalized microbial-based therapeutic strategies.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpain.2025.1626515/fullpaingut microbiotamicrobiome-gut-brain axissensitizationneuroinflammationGPR43 |
| spellingShingle | Minghe Zhao Minghe Zhao Ling Zhang Zhihui Liu Gut microbiota-mediated pain sensitization: mechanisms and therapeutic implications Frontiers in Pain Research pain gut microbiota microbiome-gut-brain axis sensitization neuroinflammation GPR43 |
| title | Gut microbiota-mediated pain sensitization: mechanisms and therapeutic implications |
| title_full | Gut microbiota-mediated pain sensitization: mechanisms and therapeutic implications |
| title_fullStr | Gut microbiota-mediated pain sensitization: mechanisms and therapeutic implications |
| title_full_unstemmed | Gut microbiota-mediated pain sensitization: mechanisms and therapeutic implications |
| title_short | Gut microbiota-mediated pain sensitization: mechanisms and therapeutic implications |
| title_sort | gut microbiota mediated pain sensitization mechanisms and therapeutic implications |
| topic | pain gut microbiota microbiome-gut-brain axis sensitization neuroinflammation GPR43 |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpain.2025.1626515/full |
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