title: Gut microbiota and metabolic syndrome.
abstract: Gut microbiota exerts a significant role in the pathogenesis of the metabolic syndrome, as confirmed by studies conducted both on humans and animal models. Gut microbial composition and functions are strongly influenced by diet. This complex intestinal "superorganism" seems to affect host metabolic balance modulating energy absorption, gut motility, appetite, glucose and lipid metabolism, as well as hepatic fatty storage. An impairment of the fine balance between gut microbes and host's immune system could culminate in the intestinal translocation of bacterial fragments and the development of "metabolic endotoxemia", leading to systemic inflammation and insulin resistance. Diet induced weight-loss and bariatric surgery promote significant changes of gut microbial composition, that seem to affect the success, or the inefficacy, of treatment strategies. Manipulation of gut microbiota through the administration of prebiotics or probiotics could reduce intestinal low grade inflammation and improve gut barrier integrity, thus, ameliorating metabolic balance and promoting weight loss. However, further evidence is needed to better understand their clinical impact and therapeutic use.
authors.affiliation: Davide Festi, Ramona Schiumerini, Leonardo Henry Eusebi, Giovanni Marasco, Martina Taddia, Antonio Colecchia, Department of Digestive Diseases and Internal Medicine, University of Bologna, S Orsola Hospital, 40138 Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Festi
authors.affiliation: Davide Festi, Ramona Schiumerini, Leonardo Henry Eusebi, Giovanni Marasco, Martina Taddia, Antonio Colecchia, Department of Digestive Diseases and Internal Medicine, University of Bologna, S Orsola Hospital, 40138 Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Ramona
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schiumerini
authors.affiliation: Davide Festi, Ramona Schiumerini, Leonardo Henry Eusebi, Giovanni Marasco, Martina Taddia, Antonio Colecchia, Department of Digestive Diseases and Internal Medicine, University of Bologna, S Orsola Hospital, 40138 Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Leonardo Henry
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Eusebi
authors.affiliation: Davide Festi, Ramona Schiumerini, Leonardo Henry Eusebi, Giovanni Marasco, Martina Taddia, Antonio Colecchia, Department of Digestive Diseases and Internal Medicine, University of Bologna, S Orsola Hospital, 40138 Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Marasco
authors.affiliation: Davide Festi, Ramona Schiumerini, Leonardo Henry Eusebi, Giovanni Marasco, Martina Taddia, Antonio Colecchia, Department of Digestive Diseases and Internal Medicine, University of Bologna, S Orsola Hospital, 40138 Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Taddia
authors.affiliation: Davide Festi, Ramona Schiumerini, Leonardo Henry Eusebi, Giovanni Marasco, Martina Taddia, Antonio Colecchia, Department of Digestive Diseases and Internal Medicine, University of Bologna, S Orsola Hospital, 40138 Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Colecchia
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018988:Bacterial Translocation; D050110:Bariatric Surgery; D031204:Caloric Restriction; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D054884:Host-Pathogen Interactions; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D007422:Intestines / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D064307:Microbiota; D009765:Obesity / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D056692:Prebiotics; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss
chemical_list: D056692:Prebiotics
keywords: Bariatric surgery; Diabetes; Gut microbiota; Metabolic syndrome; Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; Obesity; Prebiotic; Probiotic