title: Gut microbiota, obesity and diabetes.
abstract: The central role of the intestinal microbiota in the progression and, equally, prevention of metabolic dysfunction is becoming abundantly apparent. The symbiotic relationship between intestinal microbiota and host ensures appropriate development of the metabolic system in humans. However, disturbances in composition and, in turn, functionality of the intestinal microbiota can disrupt gut barrier function, a trip switch for metabolic endotoxemia. This low-grade chronic inflammation, brought about by the influx of inflammatory bacterial fragments into circulation through a malfunctioning gut barrier, has considerable knock-on effects for host adiposity and insulin resistance. Conversely, recent evidence suggests that there are certain bacterial species that may interact with host metabolism through metabolite-mediated stimulation of enteric hormones and other systems outside of the gastrointestinal tract, such as the endocannabinoid system. When the abundance of these keystone species begins to decline, we see a collapse of the symbiosis, reflected in a deterioration of host metabolic health. This review will investigate the intricate axis between the microbiota and host metabolism, while also addressing the promising and novel field of probiotics as metabolic therapies.
authors.affiliation: APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Co. Cork, Ireland Food Biosciences Department, Teagasc Food Research Centre, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Elaine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Patterson
authors.affiliation: Food Biosciences Department, Teagasc Food Research Centre, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Co. Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Paul M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.affiliation: APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Co. Cork, Ireland Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University College Cork, Co. Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: John F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Cryan
authors.affiliation: APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Co. Cork, Ireland Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioural Science, University College Cork, Co. Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Timothy G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Dinan
authors.affiliation: APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Co. Cork, Ireland College of Science, Engineering and Food Science, University College Cork, Co. Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: R Paul
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.affiliation: APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Co. Cork, Ireland School of Microbiology, University College Cork, Co. Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Gerald F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Fitzgerald
authors.affiliation: APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Co. Cork, Ireland Food Biosciences Department, Teagasc Food Research Centre, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stanton
mesh_terms: D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D000069196:Gastrointestinal Microbiome / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D019936:Probiotics / Q000494:pharmacology*