Digestive physiology and intestinal microbiota: functional integration, neuroendocrine regulationand clinical relevance
FISIOLOGÍA DIGESTIVA Y MICROBIOTA INTESTINAL: INTEGRACIÓN FUNCIO- NAL, REGULACIÓN NEUROENDOCRINA Y RELEVANCIA CLÍNICA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.57188/ricsa.2025.033Keywords:
Digestive physiology; intestinal absorption; gut microbiota; gastrointestinal system; gut-brain axis. (Source: DeCS-BIREME)Abstract
The digestive system plays a fundamental role in transforming food into nutrients
usable by the body. This process involves a series of well-coordinated physiological mechanisms, ranging from mechanical and chemical digestion to the intestinal ab- sorption of macronutrients. Throughout the gastrointestinal tract, distinct regions and specialized structures progressively break down carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins, enabling their subsequent transport into systemic circulation. In this context, the gut microbiota emerges as a key component, not only in fermenting non-digestible com- pounds but also in producing bioactive metabolites, modulating immune responses, and preserving the integrity of the intestinal barrier. The interaction between the mi- crobiota, intestinal epithelium, and enteric nervous system forms a functional axis that can be disrupted by various factors, leading to digestive dysfunctions with systemic implications. This review summarizes the main anatomical and physiological aspects of the digestive system, the mechanisms of intestinal absorption, and the key role of the microbiota, offering a useful conceptual basis for understanding functional altera- tions and proposing new therapeutic strategies.
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