Understanding the Role of the Gut Microbiome and Microbial Metabolites in Obesity and Obesity-Associated Metabolic Disorders: Current Evidence and Perspectives

Abstract

Purpose In this review, we summarize current evidence on the gut microbiome and microbial metabolites in relation to obesity and obesity-associated metabolic disorders. Special emphasis is given on mechanisms interconnecting gut microbiome and microbial metabolites with metabolic disorders as well as on potential preventive and therapeutic perspectives with a "bench to bedside" approach. Recent Findings Recent data have highlighted the role of gut dysbiosis in the etiology and pathogenesis of metabolic disorders, including obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Overall, most studies have demonstrated a reduction in gut microbiome diversity and richness in obese subjects, but there is still much debate on the exact microbial signature of a healthy or an obese gut microbiome. Despite the controversial role of an altered gut microbiome as a cause or consequence of obesity in human studies, numerous animal studies and certain human studies suggest beneficial metabolic effects of certain microbial intestinal metabolites, such as butyrate, that could be used in the prevention and treatment of obesity and its comorbidities. Summary More randomized controlled trials and larger prospective studies including well-defined cohorts as well as a multiomics approach are warranted to better identify the associations between the gut microbiome, microbial metabolites, and obesity and its metabolic complications.

Microbial Medicine: Prebiotic and Probiotic Functional Foods to Target Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome

“…For one, pathogenic strains that may dominate a dysbiotic gut are a rich source of LPS and other endotoxins, that may infiltrate circulation to initiate an immune response [56,57]. Second, there is strong evidence for the critical role of the gut microbiota in maintaining integrity of the gut epithelial lining, a function that if compromised would permit increased intestinal translocation of endotoxins into the blood [64].…”

Valuable Food Molecules with Potential Benefits for Human Health

“…Today, the concept of functional food (i.e., foods containing dietary fibers, polyunsaturated fatty acids, polyphenols, etc.) utilization in order to obtain a certain response with respect to a disease is embraced by many customers, but the modulation of gut microbiota by changing eating patterns and/or diet composition is still a novel practice [67]. In the attempt to evaluate the changes in the gut microbiota composition in different diseases and after ingestion of functional foods, the literature reports two approaches for the in vivo tests on mice.…”

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“…These cell targets are primarily responsible for alterations and damage in various organs and systems [42]. Currently, the treatment for heavy metal poisoning is based on the administration of chelating drugs, which form a coordination link with heavy metal, favoring its elimination mainly by urine [27,43]. However, when analyzing toxicodynamics, an important aspect to consider during treatment is to block the free radicals that are formed to prevent damage caused by the oxidation…”