Gut-brain axis as a bridge in obesity and depression: Mechanistic exploration and therapeutic prospects.

A recent study by Wang , published in the , provided preventative and therapeutic strategies for the comorbidity of obesity and depression. The gutbrain axis, which acts as a two-way communication system between the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system, plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of these conditions. Evidence suggests that metabolic byproducts, such as short-chain fatty acids, lipopolysaccharide and bile acids, which are generated by the gut microbiota, along with neurotransmitters and inflammatory mediators within the gut-brain axis, modulate the host's metabolic processes, neuronal regulation, and immune responses through diverse mechanisms. The interaction between obesity and depression the gutbrain axis involves disruptions in the gut microbiota balance, inflammatory immune responses, and alterations in the neuroendocrine system. Modulating the gut-brain axis, for example, through a ketogenic diet, the use of probiotics, and the supplementation of antioxidants, offers new remedial approaches for obesity and depression. Future research that explores the mechanisms of the gut-brain axis is needed to provide more evidence for clinical treatment.