Hormonal
Enteroendocrine cells (EECs) regulate the gut-brain axis through two distinct mechanisms: slow endocrine hormone release into the bloodstream and rapid synaptic signaling via neuropod cells.
Your gut has a direct 'phone line' to your brain. Foods trigger specific cells (EECs) that send signals either slowly through hormones or instantly through nerves. This is why drugs like semaglutide (Ozempic) work—they amplify these natural signals to regulate hunger and blood sugar. Understanding this helps explain why gut health directly impacts mood and metabolism.
Canonically, EECs communicate information about the intestinal environment through a variety of hormones... Recent studies have revealed more diverse hormone profiles and communication modalities for EECs including direct synaptic communication with peripheral neurons. EECs known as neuropod cells rapidly relay signals from gut to brain via a direct communication with vagal and primary sensory neurons.
Why this rating
Review of multiple high-quality studies including mouse models, organoids, and human clinical data.
Source
Enteroendocrine cell regulation of the gut-brain axis
Joshua R. Barton et al. · Frontiers in Neuroscience · 2023
DOI 10.3389/fnins.2023.1272955
More from this paper
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- Serotonin (5-HT) released from enterochromaffin (EC) cells modulates visceral sensitivity and pain signaling via direct synaptic interaction with nociceptive neurons.Good
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