Methanogens, methane and gastrointestinal motility.

Abstract in brief

• Methane is produced in the gut by methanogens during the fermentation of undigested carbohydrates, and its presence can be measured through breath tests, which are often higher in individuals with constipation-related disorders.
• While a direct cause-and-effect relationship has not been established, evidence suggests that methane may slow down gastrointestinal transit by acting as a neuromuscular transmitter, contributing to conditions like irritable bowel syndrome and chronic constipation.
• Current research indicates that reducing methanogen activity with antibiotics can improve symptoms, but more high-quality clinical trials are needed to confirm if methane can serve as a biomarker for diagnosis or treatment prediction in such disorders.]