Intestinal dysbiosis is now known to be a complication
in a myriad of diseases. Fecal microbiota transplantation
(FMT), as a microbiota-target therapy, is arguably
very effective for curing Clostridium difficile infection
and has good outcomes in other intestinal diseases.
New insights have raised an interest in FMT for the
management of extra-intestinal disorders associated
with gut microbiota. This review shows that it is
an exciting time in the burgeoning science of FMT
application in previously unexpected areas, including
metabolic diseases, neuropsychiatric disorders,
autoimmune diseases, allergic disorders, and tumors.
A randomized controlled trial was conducted on
FMT in metabolic syndrome by infusing microbiota
from lean donors or from self-collected feces, with
the resultant findings showing that the lean donor
feces group displayed increased insulin sensitivity,
along with increased levels of butyrate-producing
intestinal microbiota. Case reports of FMT have also
shown favorable outcomes in Parkinson’s disease,
multiple sclerosis, myoclonus dystonia, chronic fatigue
syndrome, and idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura.
FMT is a promising approach in the manipulation of the
intestinal microbiota and has potential applications in
a variety of extra-intestinal conditions associated with
intestinal dysbiosis.
(World J Gastroenterology)