title: Gut microbiota, host health, and polysaccharides.
abstract: The intestinal microbiota is a complicated ecosystem that influences many aspects of host physiology (i.e. diet, disease development, drug metabolism, and regulation of the immune system). It also exhibits spatial patterning and temporal dynamics. In this review, the effects of internal and external (environmental) factors on intestinal microbiota are discussed. We describe the roles of the gut microbiota in maintaining intestinal and immune system homeostasis and the relationship between gut microbiota and diseases. In particular, the contributions of polysaccharides, as the most abundant diet components in intestinal microbiota and host health are presented. Finally, perspectives for research avenues relating to gut microbiota are also discussed.
authors.affiliation: College of Light Industry and Food Sciences, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China.
authors.forename: Xiaofei
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Pingping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Chungwah
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Xuewu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D004032:Diet; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000502:physiology; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000382:microbiology; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000382:microbiology; D054892:Metagenome; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000378:metabolism*; D051192:Receptors, Pattern Recognition / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D011134:Polysaccharides; D051192:Receptors, Pattern Recognition