Gut microbiota: A potential new territory for drug targeting

Wei Jia, Houkai Li, Liping Zhao, Jeremy K. Nicholson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

427 Scopus citations

Abstract

The significant involvement of the gut microbiota in human health and disease suggests that manipulation of commensal microbial composition through combinations of antibiotics, probiotics and prebiotics could be a novel therapeutic approach. A systems perspective is needed to help understand the complex host-bacteria interactions and their association with pathophysiological phenotypes so that alterations in the composition of the gut microbiota in disease states can be reversed. In this article, we describe the therapeutic rationale and potential for targeting the gut microbiota, and discuss strategies and systems-oriented technologies for achieving this goal.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)123-129
Number of pages7
JournalNature Reviews Drug Discovery
Volume7
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2008
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Pharmacology
  • Drug Discovery

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Gut microbiota: A potential new territory for drug targeting'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this