Gut microbiota–mediated tryptophan metabolic dysregulation in the comorbidity of inflammatory bowel disease and autism spectrum disorder: mechanisms and research progress
- 1First Clinical Medical College, Guangdong Medical University
- 2Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Yangjiang People’s Hospital
- 3Department of Gastroenterology, Yangjiang People’s Hospital
Abstract
The “microbiota-gut-brain axis” represents a critical link connecting various aspects of intestinal physiology, brain function, and behavioral performance. Among these, tryptophan metabolism abnormalities mediated by gut microbes through the gut-brain axis (GBA) have garnered widespread attention in the study of IBD-ASD comorbidity. This article reviews the current state of research on tryptophan metabolism abnormalities in IBD-ASD comorbidity, with a particular focus on the connection between peripheral and central tryptophan metabolic derangements mediated by gut microbes via the GBA. Furthermore, we summarize and analyze potential therapeutic targets and intervention strategies in this comorbid condition, integrating recent mechanistic studies and clinical evidence to provide a conceptual framework for understanding the potential mechanisms underlying IBD-ASD comorbidity. However, direct evidence from patients with confirmed IBD-ASD comorbidity remains limited at present, and further clinical studies are still needed to test this hypothesis.
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BibTeX
@article{lu2026microbiotamediated,
title = {{Gut microbiota–mediated tryptophan metabolic dysregulation in the comorbidity of inflammatory bowel disease and autism spectrum disorder: mechanisms and research progress}},
author = {Mingyu Lu and Yuxuan Chen and Hengli Zhou and Yingzhuo Lin},
journal = {Frontiers in Immunology},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fimmu.2026.1950055},
url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1950055/full},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Gut microbiota–mediated tryptophan metabolic dysregulation in the comorbidity of inflammatory bowel disease and autism spectrum disorder: mechanisms and research progress
AU - Mingyu Lu
AU - Yuxuan Chen
AU - Hengli Zhou
AU - Yingzhuo Lin
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/09
JO - Frontiers in Immunology
DO - 10.3389/fimmu.2026.1950055
UR - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2026.1950055/full
AB - The “microbiota-gut-brain axis” represents a critical link connecting various aspects of intestinal physiology, brain function, and behavioral performance. Among these, tryptophan metabolism abnormalities mediated by gut microbes through the gut-brain axis (GBA) have garnered widespread attention in the study of IBD-ASD comorbidity. This article reviews the current state of research on tryptophan metabolism abnormalities in IBD-ASD comorbidity, with a particular focus on the connection between peripheral and central tryptophan metabolic derangements mediated by gut microbes via the GBA. Furthermore, we summarize and analyze potential therapeutic targets and intervention strategies in this comorbid condition, integrating recent mechanistic studies and clinical evidence to provide a conceptual framework for understanding the potential mechanisms underlying IBD-ASD comorbidity. However, direct evidence from patients with confirmed IBD-ASD comorbidity remains limited at present, and further clinical studies are still needed to test this hypothesis.
SN - 1664-3224
ER -