How sugar modifications affect gut-brain communication through the intestinal barrier, gut bacteria, immune signals, and nerve signals

Glycosylation is increasingly recognized as a regulator of multiple processes within the gut-brain axis.

• Dysregulation of the gut-brain axis is associated with various gastrointestinal, metabolic, and neuropsychiatric disorders.
• Glycosylation influences intestinal barrier function, microbial glycan metabolism, and immune signaling.
• It plays a role in enteric and vagal pathways, blood-brain barrier integrity, and neural responses.
• Evidence suggests a limited capacity for brain-to-gut regulation of intestinal glycosylation.
• Potential interventions targeting glycosylation may offer new strategies for understanding disease mechanisms.

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