Elena Rondini

Dr. Elena Rondini

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Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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15 April 2025 in Cells
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
GUGinevra Urbani
Ginevra Urbani
Elena RondiniElena Rondini
Elena Rondini
EDEleonora Distrutti
Eleonora Distrutti
SMSilvia Marchianò
Silvia Marchianò
Michele BiagioliMichele Biagioli
Michele Biagioli
Stefano FiorucciStefano Fiorucci
Stefano Fiorucci
The current definition of a postbiotic is a “preparation of inanimate microorganisms and/or their components that confers a health benefit on the host”. Postbiotics can be mainly classified as metabolites, derived from intestinal bacterial fermentation, or structural components, as intrinsic constituents of the microbial cell. Secondary bile acids deoxycholic acid (DCA) and lithocholic acid (LCA) are bacterial metabolites generated by the enzymatic modifications of primary bile acids by microbial enzymes. Secondary bile acids function as receptor ligands modulating the activity of a family of bile-acid-regulated receptors (BARRs), including GPBAR1, Vitamin D (VDR) receptor and RORγT expressed by various cell types within the entire human body. Secondary bile acids integrate the definition of postbiotics, exerting potential beneficial effects on human health given their ability to regulate multiple biological processes such as glucose metabolism, energy expenditure and inflammation/immunity. Although there is evidence that bile acids might be harmful to the intestine, most of this evidence does not account for intestinal dysbiosis. This review examines this novel conceptual framework of secondary bile acids as postbiotics and how these mediators participate in maintaining host health.