Role and progression of bile acid metabolism in mediating Th17/Treg homeostasis in inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by an aberrant immune response that results in intestinal inflammation and tissue damage, which manifest clinically as recurrent abdominal pain and diarrhea. As a chronic condition with limited curative options, the incidence of IBD has markedly increasing globally, imposing a considerable socioeconomic burden and leading to significant losses in workforce productivity. Recent research has indicated that the intestinal metabolite profile of patients with IBD is substantially altered compared to that of healthy individuals. Notably, a significant reduction was observed in the levels of microbiota-derived bile acid metabolites that are essential for gut immunity, indicating a potential association between bile acid metabolism and IBD progression. In this review, we aim to synthesize the role and recent research advancements regarding bile acid metabolites in mediating immune balance in IBD, thereby providing theoretical support for future investigations.