The current landscape of fecal microbiota transplantation in treating inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), is a chronic, immune-mediated disorder that impacts the intestinal tract. The gut microbiota, a diverse community of microorganisms, plays a pivotal role in the initiation, development, and progression of IBD by modulating inflammation, and immune responses, and maintaining gut homeostasis. Dysbiosis, or an imbalance in the gut microbiota, is frequently observed in IBD patients and is believed to contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease by disrupting the mucosal immune system. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) involves transferring feces from a healthy donor (HD) into a recipient and has emerged as a promising therapeutic approach for IBD. The primary goal of FMT is to restore microbial balance in the recipient's gut, improving both microbiota composition and immune function. Numerous preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated varying degrees of success in alleviating IBD symptoms through FMT. The benefits of FMT include modulation of gut bacteria abundance, restoration of microbial diversity, and enhancement of immune system regulation, all of which contribute to reducing IBD-related inflammation. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of animal studies and clinical trials exploring using FMT as a treatment for IBD. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of FMT in IBD is crucial for designing effective therapeutic strategies and optimizing its clinical impact.