title: The New Era of Treatment for Obesity and Metabolic Disorders: Evidence and Expectations for Gut Microbiome Transplantation.
abstract: Key Points: The microbiome has been implicated in the development of obesity. Conventional therapeutic methods have limited effectiveness for the treatment of obesity and prevention of related complications. Gut microbiome transplantation may represent an alternative and effective therapy for the treatment of obesity. Obesity has reached epidemic proportions. Despite a better understanding of the underlying pathophysiology and growing treatment options, a significant proportion of obese patients do not respond to treatment. Recently, microbes residing in the human gastrointestinal tract have been found to act as an "endocrine" organ, whose composition and functionality may contribute to the development of obesity. Therefore, fecal/gut microbiome transplantation (GMT), which involves the transfer of feces from a healthy donor to a recipient, is increasingly drawing attention as a potential treatment for obesity. Currently the evidence for GMT effectiveness in the treatment of obesity is preliminary. Here, we summarize benefits, procedures, and issues associated with GMT, with a special focus on obesity.
authors.affiliation: Liggins Institute, The University of Auckland Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Thilini N
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Jayasinghe
authors.affiliation: Liggins Institute, The University of Auckland Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Chiavaroli
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases, Counties Manukau Health Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Holland
authors.affiliation: Liggins Institute, The University of AucklandAuckland, New Zealand; Gravida: National Centre for Growth and DevelopmentAuckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Wayne S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Cutfield
authors.affiliation: Liggins Institute, The University of AucklandAuckland, New Zealand; Gravida: National Centre for Growth and DevelopmentAuckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Justin M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: O'Sullivan
mesh_terms: D000069467:Fecal Microbiota Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D000069196:Gastrointestinal Microbiome / Q000502:physiology*; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D008659:Metabolic Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy*; D019936:Probiotics / Q000627:therapeutic use*
keywords: gut microbiome transplantation; microbiome; microbiota; obesity; treatment