Gut barrier dysfunction -- colloquially "leaky gut" -- is the pathological increase in intestinal permeability that permits translocation of bacteria, bacterial products (LPS, peptidoglycan), metals, and dietary antigens from the gut lumen into the systemic circulation.…

Mechanisms4 sources

Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs)

Human milk oligosaccharides are a diverse family of over 200 structurally distinct complex sugars found in breast milk. They are the third most abundant solid component of human milk (after lactose and lipids), yet they are not digestible by the infant. Their sole purpo…

Mechanisms10 sources

Kynurenine Pathway

The kynurenine pathway (KP) is the dominant route of tryptophan catabolism, accounting for approximately 95% of dietary tryptophan degradation. It produces a cascade of neuroactive, immunomodulatory, and potentially neurotoxic metabolites whose balance determines whethe…

Mechanisms14 sources

Mendelian Randomization

This knowledge-base record is being expanded from WikiBiome’s evidence graph.

Mechanisms5 sources

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs)

This knowledge-base record is being expanded from WikiBiome’s evidence graph.

Mechanisms3 sources

Prebiotics

Non-digestible food substrates that selectively stimulate the growth and/or activity of beneficial gut microorganisms, conferring health benefits to the host. Distinct from probiotics (live organisms) and postbiotics (microbial metabolic products), prebiotics act as fue…

Mechanisms3 sources

Quinolinic Acid

This knowledge-base record is being expanded from WikiBiome’s evidence graph.

Mechanisms3 sources

Saccharolytic Fermentation

This knowledge-base record is being expanded from WikiBiome’s evidence graph.

Mechanisms15 sources

Tryptophan

Tryptophan (Trp) is an essential amino acid that the human body cannot synthesize and must obtain from diet. It occupies a uniquely important position at the intersection of neuroscience, immunology, and microbial ecology because it is the sole precursor to serotonin, a…

Mechanisms9 sources

Tryptophan Metabolism

Tryptophan (Trp) is an essential amino acid metabolized via three competing pathways: the kynurenine pathway, the serotonin pathway, and the microbial indole pathway. The balance among these pathways is profoundly influenced by the gut microbiome, inflammation, and meta…