title: Beyond gut microbiota: understanding obesity and type 2 diabetes.
abstract: Obesity and type 2 diabetes are metabolic diseases that have reached epidemic proportions worldwide. Although their etiology is complex, both result from interplay between behaviour, environment and genetic factors. Within ambient determinants, human overall gut bacteria have been identified as a crucial mediator of obesity and its consequences. Gut microbiota plays a crucial role in gastro-intestinal mucosa permeability and regulates the fermentation and absorption of dietary polyssacharides, which may explain its importance in the regulation of fat accumulation and the resultant development of obesity-related diseases. The main objective of this review is to address the pathogenic association between gut microbiota and obesity and to explore related innovative therapeutic targets. New insights into the role of the small bowel and gut microbiota in diabetes and obesity may make possible the development of integrated strategies to prevent and treat these metabolic disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Centro Hospitalar São João; Faculty of Medicine University of Porto; Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Centro Hospitalar São João; Faculty of Medicine University of Porto; Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Davide
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Centro Hospitalar São João; Faculty of Medicine University of Porto; CINTESIS, Center for Health Technology and Services Research Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Cidália
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pina-Vaz
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Centro Hospitalar São João; Faculty of Medicine University of Porto; Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: José-Adelino
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Barbosa
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Centro Hospitalar São João; Faculty of Medicine University of Porto; Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Freitas
mesh_terms: D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000209:etiology; D064806:Dysbiosis / Q000150:complications*; D000069196:Gastrointestinal Microbiome / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000209:etiology