In the present world scenario, obesity has almost attained the level of a pandemic and is progressing at a rapid rate. This disease is the mother of all other metabolic disorders, which apart from placing an added financial burden on the concerned patient also has a negative impact on his/her well-being and health in the society. Among the various plausible factors for the development of obesity, the role of gut microbiota is very crucial. In general, the gut of an individual is inhabited by trillions of microbes that play a significant role in host energy homeostasis by their symbiotic interactions. Dysbiosis in gut microbiota causes disequilibrium in energy homeostasis that ultimately leads to obesity. Numerous mechanisms have been reported by which gut microbiota induces obesity in experimental models. However, which microbial community is directly linked to obesity is still unknown due to the complex nature of gut microbiota. Prebiotics and probiotics are the safer and effective dietary substances available, which can therapeutically alter the gut microbiota of the host. In this review, an effort was made to discuss the current mechanisms through which gut microbiota interacts with host energy metabolism in the context of obesity. Further, the therapeutic approaches (prebiotics/probiotics) that helped in positively altering the gut microbiota were discussed by taking experimental evidence from animal and human studies. In the closing statement, the challenges and future tasks within the field were discussed.

This study investigated the effect of 6-week supplementation of a probiotic strain Lactobacillus salivarius UBL S22 with or without prebiotic fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS) on serum lipid profiles, immune responses, insulin sensitivity, and gut lactobacilli in 45 healthy young individuals. The patients were divided into 3 groups (15/group), that is, placebo, probiotic, and synbiotic. After 6 weeks, a significant reduction (P < .05) in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides and increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was observed in the probiotic as well as in the synbiotic group when compared to placebo; however, the results of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were more pronounced in the synbiotic group. Similarly, when compared to the placebo group, the serum concentrations of inflammatory markers such as high sensitivity C-reactive protein, interleukin (IL) 6, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor α were significantly (P < .05) reduced in both the experimental groups, but again the reduction in the synbiotic group was more pronounced. Also, an increase (P < .05) in the fecal counts of total lactobacilli and a decrease (P < .05) in coliforms and Escherichia coli was observed in both the experimental groups after 6 weeks of ingestion. Overall, the combination of L salivarius with FOS was observed to be more beneficial than L salivarius alone, thereby advocating that such synbiotic combinations could be therapeutically exploited for improved health and quality of life.

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Background Studies in animal models and humans with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) have shown that probiotic supplementation leads to decreased pro‐inflammatory cytokines (responsible for damaging β‐cells of the pancreas), improved gut barrier function, and induction of immune tolerance. Objective To study the effect of supplementation of probiotics in children with T1DM on glycemic control, insulin dose, and plasma C‐peptide levels. Methods A single‐centered, double‐blinded, and randomized placebo‐controlled pilot trial was conducted in children (2–12 years) with new‐onset T1DM. Ninety‐six children were randomized and allocated to Placebo or Intervention groups. The intervention included high dose (112.5 billion viable lyophilized bacteria per capsule) multi‐strain probiotic De Simone formulation (manufactured by Danisco‐Dupont) sold as Visbiome® in India. The probiotic was supplemented for 3 months and HbA1c, fasting C‐peptide, blood sugar records, and insulin dose was recorded at baseline and 3 months. Results A total of 90 patients (45 in each group) were analyzed for outcome parameters. We found a significant decrease in HbA1c (5.1 vs. 3.8; p = 0.021) and a significant decline in total and bolus insulin dose (U/kg/day; p = 0.037 and 0.018, respectively) in the intervention group when compared with the placebo group. A significantly higher (p = 0.023) number of children achieved remission in the treatment group. We did not notice adverse effects in either of the study groups. Conclusion Children with newly diagnosed T1DM managed with standard treatment along with probiotics showed better glycemic control and a decrease in insulin requirements; however, more extensive studies are further warranted.

The systematic exploration of microbial ecosystem of the rumen was commenced by the father of rumen microbiology, Robert Hungate, in 1950s. His contributions toward the development of anaerobic culture techniques have illustrated the ways to explore the complex microbial structures of the rumen and other anaerobic ecosystems. The understanding of rumen microbiology has strengthened an awareness to improve the feed utilization and manipulation of microbial compositions. Microbes and their interactions in interspecies H 2 transfers were fi rst studied in the rumen ecosystems and attracted pioneers to investigate the alternate abatement strategies of methane production along with enhanced animal productivity. The discovery of alternate hydrogenotrophs and industrially important novel microbes and the management of rumen disorders via microbial manipulations make this community an interesting research platform for different microbial theories. The discovery of anaerobic fungi as a part of rumen fl ora by Orpin during the 1970s disproved their mistaken identity as fl agellated protozoa and the concept that all fungi are aerobic organisms.