The important interaction between gut microbes and the body's internal clock

Diurnal variation in microbial composition and metabolite production is observed in the gut microbiota.

• The human microbiota and the host's circadian system interact, influencing metabolism, immunity, and barrier function.
• Evidence indicates that gut microbiota composition and metabolic signaling vary throughout the day, supported by both human and preclinical studies.
• Research on vaginal, oral, skin, and respiratory microbiota is limited and primarily serves as a basis for generating new hypotheses.
• Circadian disruption may lead to changes in microbial rhythms and is associated with negative metabolic and inflammatory outcomes.
• Microbiota-produced metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids and bile-acid derivatives, may connect to peripheral biological clocks.
• There is a need for more rigorous, time-standardized human studies to explore clinical applications like chrononutrition and timed biotics.

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