Figure 1.

Metabolites produced by the microbiota produced via the diet-gut microbiota axis can have both local and peripheral effects in the host. The gut microbiota generates a variety of metabolites that can act either in the intestine or be absorbed into the host’s bloodstream and influence other organs. These metabolites can modulate the secretion of gastrointestinal hormones, which in turn can have peripheral effects. The liver is directly exposed to microbially produced metabolites through the portal vein and can metabolize some of them, resulting in the production of a distinct set of metabolites. The circulating metabolites can impact various organs in the body, causing changes in the host’s metabolism.