Microbiota-derived metabolites in the epigenetic regulation of the host

The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in maintaining host health and modulating disease progression. Microbiota-derived metabolites (MDMs) form a complex and diverse repertoire of molecules that interact uniquely with the host and regulate epigenetics. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview by examining the current evidence on how MDMs reshape host epigenetic landscape, and we highlight the innovative concept of the "MDMs-epigenetic (MDME) axis" as a potential framework for exploring and understanding microbiota-host interactions. Next, we underscore the significance of the MDME axis in driving mechanistic studies and elucidating the underlying biological processes and pathophysiological pathways involved in various diseases. Finally, we discuss the impact of MDMs on epigenetic landscapes, outline future directions, and highlight their pivotal role in both mechanistic investigation and the development of clinical therapies.