title: Endocannabinoids--at the crossroads between the gut microbiota and host metabolism.
abstract: Various metabolic disorders are associated with changes in inflammatory tone. Among the latest advances in the metabolism field, the discovery that gut microorganisms have a major role in host metabolism has revealed the possibility of a plethora of associations between gut bacteria and numerous diseases. However, to date, few mechanisms have been clearly established. Accumulating evidence indicates that the endocannabinoid system and related bioactive lipids strongly contribute to several physiological processes and are a characteristic of obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus and inflammation. In this Review, we briefly define the gut microbiota as well as the endocannabinoid system and associated bioactive lipids. We discuss existing literature regarding interactions between gut microorganisms and the endocannabinoid system, focusing specifically on the triad of adipose tissue, gut bacteria and the endocannabinoid system in the context of obesity and the development of fat mass. We highlight gut-barrier function by discussing the role of specific factors considered to be putative 'gate keepers' or 'gate openers', and their role in the gut microbiota-endocannabinoid system axis. Finally, we briefly discuss data related to the different pharmacological strategies currently used to target the endocannabinoid system, in the context of cardiometabolic disorders and intestinal inflammation.
authors.affiliation: Walloon Excellence in Life Sciences and BIOtechnology (WELBIO), Metabolism and Nutrition Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Avenue E. Mounier 73, Box B1.73.11, Brussels B-1200, Belgium.
authors.forename: Patrice D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Cani
authors.affiliation: Walloon Excellence in Life Sciences and BIOtechnology (WELBIO), Metabolism and Nutrition Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Avenue E. Mounier 73, Box B1.73.11, Brussels B-1200, Belgium.
authors.forename: Hubert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Plovier
authors.affiliation: Walloon Excellence in Life Sciences and BIOtechnology (WELBIO), Metabolism and Nutrition Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Avenue E. Mounier 73, Box B1.73.11, Brussels B-1200, Belgium.
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Van Hul
authors.affiliation: Walloon Excellence in Life Sciences and BIOtechnology (WELBIO), Metabolism and Nutrition Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Avenue E. Mounier 73, Box B1.73.11, Brussels B-1200, Belgium.
authors.forename: Lucie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Geurts
authors.affiliation: Metabolism and Nutrition Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Avenue E. Mounier 73, Box B1.73.11, Brussels B-1200, Belgium.
authors.forename: Nathalie M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Delzenne
authors.affiliation: Walloon Excellence in Life Sciences and BIOtechnology (WELBIO), Metabolism and Nutrition Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Avenue E. Mounier 73, Box B1.73.11, Brussels B-1200, Belgium.
authors.forename: Céline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Druart
authors.affiliation: Walloon Excellence in Life Sciences and BIOtechnology (WELBIO), Metabolism and Nutrition Research Group, Louvain Drug Research Institute, Université catholique de Louvain, Avenue E. Mounier 73, Box B1.73.11, Brussels B-1200, Belgium.
authors.forename: Amandine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Everard
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D063388:Endocannabinoids / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology*; D000069196:Gastrointestinal Microbiome / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D063388:Endocannabinoids; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid