Research Progress on the Relationship Between Radiation Enteritis and Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis

Abstract: Radiation enteritis (RE) is the most common complication of pelvic radiotherapy, often manifesting as diarrhea, hematochezia, and tenesmus. In some cases, it progresses to chronic radiation enteritis, leading to intestinal fibrosis and fistula formation, which severely impacts patients’quality of life and prognosis. Current therapeutic strategies for RE include radioprotective agents, surgery, nutritional support, and symptomatic management. However, their efficacy remains limited. The gut microbiota, a complex microbial community residing in the human digestive tract, is closely linked to human health. Numerous studies have identified gut microbiota dysbiosis in the context of RE. This review illustrates the intricate relationship between RE and the gut microbiota, focusing on the underlying mechanisms of their interaction. It also introduces emerging therapeutic strategies targeting the gut microbiota for RE, including engineered probiotics, washed microbiota transplantation (WMT), and ROS-scavenging nanomaterials, offering novel insights for its diagnosis and treatment. Keywords: radiation enteritis, gut microbiota dysbiosis, radiotherapy, gut microbiota metabolites, fecal microbiota transplantation