The Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis and Gut Microbiota: A Target for Dietary Intervention?

Gut microbiota not only play a principal role in the postnatal maturation of the mammalian immune system, but they also are responsible for a vast array of metabolic activities, including food digestion and production of biologically active substances. Moreover, it is rapidly becoming apparent that gut microbes can also affect the development and regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and regulate other behaviors. Herein we focus on the signaling pathway from gut microbiota to the brain in terms of commensal microbiota affecting the HPA axis response, and we further emphasize the therapeutic potential of dietary factors, such as probiotics and short-chain fatty acids, for people with stress-related diseases.