Functional interactions between the gut microbiota and host metabolism.

Fredrik Bäckhed, Valentina Tremaroli

Journal: Nature 2012;489(7415):242-9

PMID: 22972297

Full Text on Nature Publishing Group View on PubMed

Plain Language Summary

This literature review aims to discuss evidence for the role of the gut microbiota in metabolism and possible links to obesity. Obesity and caloric intake can influence the microbiota, but whether the reverse is true in humans remains unclear. Much of the mechanisms have been determined in rodents, determining similar pathways in humans is difficult. The interplay of diet, host and gut microbiota may cause increased gut permeability (leaky gut) that could lead to an increase in inflammation that may cause obesity, fatty liver disease and insulin resistance. It is increasingly accepted that gut microbiota can contribute to diseases such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, but exactly how and by how much remains unclear. Evidence for treating the microbiota to help with these metabolic diseases, either by pre- or probiotic supplementation, is building. However, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies are required to determine effects. The influence of the gut microbiota is a promising area, but one that needs further research.

Abstract

The link between the microbes in the human gut and the development of obesity, cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndromes, such as type 2 diabetes, is becoming clearer. However, because of the complexity of the microbial community, the functional connections are less well understood. Studies in both mice and humans are helping to show what effect the gut microbiota has on host metabolism by improving energy yield from food and modulating dietary or the host-derived compounds that alter host metabolic pathways. Through increased knowledge of the mechanisms involved in the interactions between the microbiota and its host, we will be in a better position to develop treatments for metabolic disease.

Address: Wallenberg Laboratory for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden.

DOI: 10.1038/nature11552

Patient Centred Factor

Antecedents: Gut microbiota

Physical Environment

Infectious Agents

Clinical Imbalances

Immune and inflammation Gastro-intestinal

Laboratory Testing

Stool Breath

Nutrition Evidence Keywords

Insulin resistance Probiotics Microbiome Cholesterol Gut microbiota Prebiotics Type 2 diabetes Short chain fatty acids Lipopolysaccharide Cardiovascular disease Dietary fibre Leaky gut Intestinal permeability Tumour necrosis factor-alpha Secondary bile acids Glucose transporter 4 GLUT4 Toll like receptor Non alcoholic fatty liver disease

Bioactive Substances

Probiotics Cholesterol Prebiotics Cardiovascular disease Insulin resistance Type 2 diabetes Leaky gut Gut microbiota Dietary fibre Short chain fatty acids Microbiome Lipopolysaccharide Intestinal permeability Secondary bile acids Glucose transporter 4 GLUT4 Toll like receptor Tumour necrosis factor-alpha Non alcoholic fatty liver disease

Link outs

Free resources

Medical:

https://clinicaltrials.gov/search?term=AREA%5BRefe...

Other Literature Sources:

https://www.lens.org/lens/search/patent/list?q=ref...

Subscription / membership required

Full Text Sources:

MeSH Terms: Animals, Diet, Energy Metabolism, Fermentation, Humans, Immunity, Innate, Inflammation, Intestinal Mucosa, Intestines, Metabolic Syndrome, Metagenome, Obesity