Mmodeling of the female gut microbiome in vitro study

The gut microbiome significantly influences metabolism, immunity, and brain function. This study presents a novel in vitro colonic fermentation model to explore how sex hormone fluctuations and psychotropic drugs affect the microbiome. By mimicking hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, the model simulates a sexually divergent gut environment. Findings show that hormones like estrogen and testosterone alter microbial diversity and short-chain fatty acid production. The model also reveals drug-induced shifts in female gut microbiota, emphasizing microbiome roles in sex-specific drug responses.