THE ROLE OF GUT MICROBIOTA IN ENDOCRINE DISORDERS: EMERGING INSIGHTS AND THERAPEUTIC PERSPECTIVES

Abstract

The gut microbiota has emerged as a critical regulator of human health,
influencing not only digestive and immune functions but also the endocrine
system. Recent research demonstrates that microbial communities in the gut
participate in modulating hormonal signaling, glucose metabolism, lipid
regulation, and appetite control. Dysbiosis, or imbalance in gut microbiota
composition, has been linked to the development and progression of several
endocrine disorders, including obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, polycystic ovary
syndrome (PCOS), and thyroid dysfunctions. The bidirectional communication
between the gut and endocrine organs, often referred to as the “microbiota–gut–
endocrine axis,” highlights the systemic impact of microbial metabolites such as
short-chain fatty acids, bile acids, and tryptophan derivatives.