Gut instincts: vitamin D/vitamin D receptor and microbiome in neurodevelopment disorders

Gut instincts: CYP3A4 and intestinal drug metabolism.

First-pass metabolism is a common cause of incomplete and variable absolute bioavailability for an orally dosed drug. The drug-metabolizing enzyme CYP3A4 is often implicated in this process, resulting, in some cases, in systemic exposures of less than 15% of the administered dose. By creating an elegant CYP3A4-transgenic mouse model, van Herwaarden et al. show in this issue of the JCI that firs...

Vitamin D regulates the gut microbiome and protects mice from dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis.

The active form of vitamin D [1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol, 1,25(OH)2D3] and the vitamin D receptor (VDR) regulate susceptibility to experimental colitis. The effect of the bacterial microflora on the susceptibility of C57BL/6 mice to dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis was determined. Mice that cannot produce 1,25(OH)2D3 [Cyp27b1 (Cyp) knockout (KO)], VDR KO as well as their wild-type litt...

Role of Gut Microbiome in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

 Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine disorder that affects 8-13% of women at reproductive age worldwide. This disorder is usually associated with menstrual disorders, infertility, obesity, and insulin resistance. The underlying cause of this syndrome is unknown, however in recent years, researchers have shown an association between intestinal microbiota alterations )dysbiosi...

Gut Microbiota and Neuropsychiatric Disorders

“I Am I and My Bacterial Circumstances”: Linking Gut Microbiome, Neurodevelopment, and Depression

Recently, there has been renewed interest in the role played by microbiome in both human health and human disease. A correct equilibrium between the human host and their microorganisms is important for an appropriate physiological function. Extensive research has shown that microbes that inhabit the gastrointestinal tract-or gut microbiota-are involved not only in both nutritive and digestive a...