The environment within: how gut microbiota may influence metabolism and body composition

• Published in: Diabetologia Vol. 53; no. 4; pp. 606 - 613
• Main Authors: Vrieze, A, Holleman, F, Zoetendal, E.G, Vos, W.M. de, Hoekstra, J.B, Nieuwdorp, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01-04-2010; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Atherosclerosis - epidemiology; Bacteria; Bacteria - classification; Bacteria - isolation & purification; Bacteria - metabolism; Biological and medical sciences; Body Composition; dependent insulinotropic polypeptide; Diabetes; Diabetes Mellitus - epidemiology; Diabetes. Impaired glucose tolerance; Diabetic Angiopathies - epidemiology; Diet; diet-induced obesity; Digestion; Disease; Endocrine pancreas. Apud cells (diseases); Endocrinopathies; Energy; Energy Metabolism - physiology; Etiopathogenesis. Screening. Investigations. Target tissue resistance; Exercise; fed infants; Gastrointestinal surgery; Genomes; glucagon-like peptide-1; glucose-tolerance; Human Physiology; Humans; incretin levels; Influence; Insulin resistance; Internal Medicine; Intestines - microbiology; Medical sciences; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Metabolic Diseases; Metabolism; Microbiota; Obesity; Obesity - epidemiology; Obesity - microbiology; Pathophysiology; Peptides; Phylogeny; Prevalence; Review; secretion; type-2 diabetes-mellitus; Weight control; weight-loss; y gastric bypass; Netherlands; Gut microbiota; Type 2 diabetes; Obesity; Insulin resistance; Review; Endocrinopathy; Digestive system; Nutrition disorder; Gut; Metabolic diseases; Microflora; Metabolism; Body composition; Target tissue resistance; Nutritional status
• ISSN: 0012-186X; 1432-0428
• DOI: 10.1007/s00125-010-1662-7

Obesity, diabetes and consequently atherosclerotic vascular disease have become major health and public health issues worldwide. The increasing and staggering prevalence of obesity might not only be explained by nutritional habits or the reduction of energy expenditure through decreased physical activity. In addition, recent studies have focused on intestinal microbiota as environmental factors that increase energy yield from diet, regulate peripheral metabolism and thereby increase body weight. Obesity is associated with substantial changes in composition and metabolic function of gut microbiota, but the pathophysiological processes driving this bidirectional relationship have not been fully elucidated. This review discusses the relationships between the following: composition of gut microbiota, energy extracted from diet, synthesis of gut hormones involved in energy homeostasis, production of butyrate and the regulation of fat storage.