A review of metabolic potential of human gut microbiome in human nutrition

Abstract

The human gut contains a plethora of microbes, providing a platform for metabolic interaction between the host and microbiota. Metabolites produced by the gut microbiota act as a link between gut microbiota and its host. These metabolites act as messengers having the capacity to alter the gut microbiota. Recent advances in the characterization of the gut microbiota and its symbiotic relationship with the host have provided a platform to decode metabolic interactions. The human gut microbiota, a crucial component for dietary metabolism, is shaped by the genetic, epigenetic and dietary factors. The metabolic potential of gut microbiota explains its significance in host health and diseases. The knowledge of interactions between microbiota and host metabolism, as well as modification of microbial ecology, is really beneficial to have effective therapeutic treatments for many diet-related diseases in near future. This review cumulates the information to map the role of human gut microbiota in dietary component metabolism, the role of gut microbes derived metabolites in human health and host-microbe metabolic interactions in health and diseases.

Metagenomic assessment of the Cebus apella gut microbiota

“…There is a vast amount of information available on the human gut microbiota, with many publications addressing the association between changes to the gut microbiota and specific disease states (Clayton et al, ; Daliri et al, ; Lloyd‐Price et al, ; Strandwitz, ; Yadav et al, ). Comparatively, information regarding the gut microbiota of NHPs is limited, even though they are considered one of the most relevant animal models for biomedical research (Lankau et al, ).…”

“…Within each region, the community will grow in the lumen, however, some of the community members will preferentially colonize the loose mucus layer lining the intestinal cells (Lavelle et al, ; Zhang et al, 2014a). These communities live in symbiosis with their host and provide metabolic functions such as the synthesis of vitamins, breakdown of indigestible foods and plant fibers, deconjugation and dehydroxylation of bile acids, and production of short chain fatty acids (SCFA; Clayton et al, ; Yadav, Verma, & Chauhan, ).…”

“…While the gut microbiota is physically located along the intestinal tract, it has a global effect on the body, since metabolites produced enter the bloodstream and travel to distant anatomical sites. Due to the extensive effect of the gut microbiota, dysbiosis is not only associated with diseases of the intestinal tract, such as inflammatory bowel disease but also to nonintestinal tract‐specific diseases, such as asthma and cancer (Lloyd‐Price et al, ; Yadav et al, ). Although the underlying mechanisms are unknown, the gut microbiota has also been implicated in playing a role in disorders such as depression, anxiety, Alzheimer's disease, and autism spectrum disorder (Strandwitz, ).…”

Role of Gut Microbiota in Neuroendocrine Regulation of Carbohydrate and Lipid Metabolism via the Microbiota-Gut-Brain-Liver Axis

“…Carbohydrates have become one of the most studied dietary components associated with gut microbiota modifications. Alterations in dietary carbohydrates have important effects on the composition and function of gut microbiota [3,33]. In one dietary intervention study, a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet for 24 weeks increased both faecal Bacteroides and Bifidobacteria, which have both been related to improved body energy regulation and reduced risk factors for obesity and metabolic syndrome [34].…”

“…The colonic microbiota produce various hydrolytic enzymes for the degradation of these substances. The complex carbohydrates are converted into polysaccharides through primary degradation, which are then converted into oligosaccharides [33]. Therefore, gut microbiota use these indigestible carbohydrates as their main energy sources [42].…”