Abstract
The human gastrointestinal tract harbors a complex and diverse microbial community. Emerging evidence has revealed bidirectional communication between the gut microbiome and the central nervous system, termed the "microbiota-gut-brain axis". This axis serves as a critical regulator of glial cell function, positioning it as an essential target for ameliorating the onset and progression of ischemic stroke. In this review, we discuss the developments in the relationship between ischemic stroke and neuroinflammation via MGBA. The gut microbiome plays a critical role in signaling to microglia, astrocytes, and other immune components within this axis. We also summarize the interactions between the gut microbiota and glial cells under both healthy and ischemic stroke conditions. Additionally, we also focus on the role of microbiota-derived metabolites and neurotransmitters in ischemic stroke. Furthermore, we investigate the potential of targeting the intestinal and blood-brain barriers to improve MGBA. Finally, we evaluate the preclinical and clinical evidence for dietary interventions, probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation in ischemic stroke. A comprehensive understanding of the MGBA is essential for developing MGBA-based treatment for ischemic stroke.