Brain functions are influenced by the presence, activity, and metabolism of the gut microbiota through the gut-microbiota-brain (GMB) axis. The consumption of a fiber-rich diet increases the content of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) from bacterial fermentation in the colon. Among SCFAs, butyrate stands out because of its wide array of biological functions, such as ability to influence brain functions. Pharmacologically, sodium butyrate (NaB) regulates gene expression in the brain, where it has several beneficial effects ranging from neurodegenerative diseases to behavioral disorders through inhibitors of histone deacetylases (HDACis). In this context, we review the mechanisms of action of the two types of butyrate on brain functions, with an emphasis on the epigenetic approach. Both types of butyrate are potentially interesting for the prevention and adjuvant therapy of neurological and psychological disorders due to their neuroprotective functions. However, further studies are needed to investigate the possible neuroepigenetic effects of butyrate derived from bacterial fermentation.

Gut microbiota imbalance is associated with the occurrence of metabolic diseases such as obesity. Thus, its modulation is a promising strategy to restore gut microbiota and improve intestinal health in the obese. This paper examines the role of probiotics, antimicrobials, and diet in modulating gut microbiota and improving intestinal health. Accordingly, obesity was induced in C57BL/6J mice, after which they were redistributed and fed with an obesogenic diet (intervention A) or standard AIN-93 diet (intervention B). Concomitantly, all the groups underwent a treatment phase with Lactobacillus gasseri LG-G12, ceftriaxone, or ceftriaxone followed by L. gasseri LG-G12. At the end of the experimental period, the following analysis was conducted: metataxonomic analysis, functional profiling of gut microbiota, intestinal permeability, and caecal concentration of short-chain fatty acids. High-fat diet impaired bacterial diversity/richness, which was counteracted in association with L. gasseri LG-G12 and the AIN-93 diet. Additionally, SCFA-producing bacteria were negatively correlated with high intestinal permeability parameters, which was further confirmed via functional profile prediction of the gut microbiota. A novel perspective on anti-obesity probiotics is presented by these findings based on the improvement of intestinal health irrespective of undergoing antimicrobial therapy or not.

Background: Recent studies indicate that maintaining a healthy gut microbiota balance positively influences brain function through the microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) axis. Intestinal inflammation disrupts gut microbial homeostasis, exacerbates inflammatory and oxidative processes, and reduces beneficial microbial metabolites essential for brain health. These alterations may impair MGB axis signaling and increase intestinal and blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability, facilitating the translocation of inflammatory mediators and potentially contributing to neurological dysfunction. Kefir has emerged as a fermented food with potential psychobiotic properties due to its ability to modulate gut microbiota and its metabolites. However, its effects on brain-related outcomes during intestinal inflammation remain poorly understood.Aim: To investigate the association between milk kefir consumption and selected brain biomarkers in IL-10^-/^- mice.Methods: Male C57BL/6 mice were allocated into four groups (n = 5/group): wild-type mice receiving water (WWT), wild-type mice receiving milk kefir (KWT), IL-10^-/^- mice receiving water (WKO), and IL-10^-/^- mice receiving milk kefir (KKO). Brain analyses included cytokine levels, antioxidant activity, tight junction protein expression, and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), while histological evaluation focused on the small intestine.Results: Kefir consumption was associated with improved intestinal morphology in IL-10^-/^- mice (p < 0.03), increased brain SCFA levels (p < 0.001), reduced malondialdehyde concentrations, and higher occludin expression in brain tissue.Conclusion: Overall, these findings suggest that milk kefir intake may influence specific brain biomarkers in IL-10^-/^- mice. These observations provide preliminary insights and support the need for further studies to elucidate the potential psychobiotic role of kefir in intestinal inflammation.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a multifactorial disease strongly influenced by genetic and environmental factors, as well as by immune and metabolic disorders such as obesity and gut dysbiosis. Recent evidence highlights the interplay between the endocannabinoidome (eCBome) and the gut microbiota as a central regulatory axis of intestinal homeostasis, metabolism, and immune responses. Although no studies have directly investigated this functional interaction in the CRC context, recent evidence suggests that dysfunction of the eCBome–microbiota axis, commonly observed in obesity, may influence colorectal tumorigenesis by impairing intestinal barrier integrity, increasing endotoxemia and immune dysregulation, altering microbial metabolite production, and activating NF-κB-mediated pro-tumorigenic signaling pathway. This is the first review to comprehensively integrate current evidence linking obesity-associated eCBome–microbiota dysfunction with CRC-related mechanisms and to propose potential pathways through which this interaction may influence CRC pathogenesis, providing a framework to guide future studies and support the development of novel preventive and therapeutic strategies for CRC.