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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2016 May 1.
Published in final edited form as: Clin Ther. 2015 May 1;37(5):984–995. doi: 10.1016/j.clinthera.2015.04.002

Figure 1. Diagrammatic representation of the M-G-B axis showing the proposed bidirectional communications.

Figure 1

Gut microbiota can release molecules that can: activate the neuroenteric plexus, stimulate brain production of neuropeptides, as well as increase gut-blood barrier and BBB permeability. The brain releases molecules that stimulate the neuroenteric plexus and gut function. The vagus nerve sends orthodromic and antidromic.

Ach= Acetylcholine

BBB= Blood-brain barrier

CRH= Corticotropin-releasing hormone

5-HT= 5-hydroxytryptamine

IL-6= Interleukin 6

NT= Neurotensin

SP= Substance P

TNF= Tumor necrosis factor

VIP= Vasoactive intestinal peptide