Chemical Mechanisms and Strategies for the Regulation of Integral Gut Metabolites and Possible Treatments

The production of microbial metabolites, facilitated by the gut microbiome, influences immune function and host physiology. In conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colorectal cancer, such metabolites offer potential therapeutic strategies. This review analyzes the chemical transformations of notable microbial metabolites and their roles as drivers in chemical modulation and enzyme activity. Research into bile salt hydrolases (BSHs) in tandem with 7α-hydroxylase - enzymes that specifically promote the metabolism of bile acids through the catalyzation of reactions that involve primary and secondary bile acids - has led to advancements in current comprehension of the complexities of pathways within the gut microbiome. Recent developments in synthetic bioengineering are given attention, as are the challenges in translating such advancements into clinical approaches. Recent technologies akin to metagenomics and metabolomics have emerged in addition to the identification of metabolites that can be inhibited to further advance clinical practices. Using an understanding of microbial chemistry, current gaps in knowledge are addressed in order to suggest future research to modulate the gut microbiome.