The microbiota-gut-brain axis: novel mechanisms and therapeutic frontiers in obesity and type 2 diabetes
The microbiota-gut-brain axis (MGBA) is a bidirectional network linking gut microbes to the CNS. This review elucidates how microbial messengers-short-chain fatty acids, bile acids, neuroactive metabolites, and extracellular vesicles-drive obesity and type 2 diabetes via neural, endocrine, and immune pathways. MGBA dysregulation triggers hypothalamic dysfunction, adipose inflammation, incretin axis impairment, and β‑cell failure. We discuss MGBA-targeted therapies and their translational challenges.
Authors
- Jing Jia (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0000-6944-4951)
- Rui Hao
- Q Zhang
- Min Li
- Kaile Ma
- Xiao Sun
Institutions
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College (CN)
- Guang’anmen Hospital (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- npj Biofilms and Microbiomes
- Published
- 2026-06-16
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41522-026-01039-y
- Primary Topic
- Gut microbiota and health
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00