Dietary nutrients shape gut microbes and intestinal mucosa via epigenetic modifications

The imbalance of intestinal microecology firstly impairs intestinal mucosa barrier and function, then further damages the functions and homeostasis of distal organs, leading to systemic diseases. Nutrients, transplantation of bacteria flora and modes of life can shape gut microbiota and intestinal mucosa barrier and mitigate stress. Current researches demonstrate that dynamic epigenetic modifications of intestinal tissue strongly mediate the crosstalk between gut microbes and gut mucosa barrier. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species can synthesize folate to increase DNA methylation and mRNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) of gut, which ensures intestinal normal development. Clostridial cluster, Anaerostipes and Eubacterium can induce histone acylation modifications by butyrate to enhance the development and immune balance of gut. Herein, we summarizes the present scientific understanding of how dietary nutrients shape gut microbiota and further regulate intestinal mucosa functions via epigenetic modifications, which will shed light on manipulation of gut microbiota by dietary nutrients, for prevention or clinical treatment of intestinal diseases.