Microbiota-epigenome axis: microbial metabolites as modulators of host gene expression
A narrative review maps how gut microbiota-derived metabolites — SCFAs, urolithins, and phenolic acids — modulate host epigenetics via DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNA regulation.
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What the study showed
The abstract reports molecular and microbiome evidence indicating that metabolites such as butyrate influence metabolic and inflammatory pathways, including lipid absorption via CD36, SIRT1 activation, and one-carbon metabolism. The authors propose a 'butyrate-polyphenol synergy' model for optimizing host epigenetic programming. Agri-food by-products from pomegranate, berries, tea, cocoa, and grapes are positioned as microbiome modulators with potential epigenetic effects.
How it was done
Narrative review integrating molecular and microbiome studies. No original clinical trial or systematic meta-analysis with registered inclusion criteria was conducted.
Risk of bias
Narrative review without a registered systematic search protocol — high risk of publication selection bias. Described mechanisms derive predominantly from in vitro and animal model studies, with limited direct extrapolation to humans.
What this study does NOT prove
The study does not demonstrate that dietary interventions with polyphenols or fibers produce clinically relevant epigenetic modifications in humans.
In clinical practice
No clinical recommendation can be directly derived from this review. Inter-individual variability in microbial metabotypes prevents therapeutic generalization.
Limitations
Narrative review without a registered systematic search protocol — high risk of publication selection bias. Described mechanisms derive predominantly from in vitro and animal model studies, with limited direct extrapolation to humans.
Technical appendix
Version history
- 1.0 · 2026-07-29 — Auto-generated under Evidence Standard v1.0
Paid access: structured summary from public metadata; consult the original study at the source.