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Review
. 2019 Jun 29;7(12):2050-2056.
doi: 10.3889/oamjms.2019.586. eCollection 2019 Jun 30.

Association between the Gut Microbiota and Obesity

Kiril Mitev  1 , Vaso Taleski  1
Affiliations
Review

Association between the Gut Microbiota and Obesity

Kiril Mitev et al. Open Access Maced J Med Sci. .

Abstract

Background: People co-evolved with members of the microbiota and developed, used and adapted many complex immune mechanisms, which are used for monitoring and control of the microbiota. The gut microbiota in cooperation with humans became its essential part, so-called "hidden organ" with many important and indispensable functions. Quantitative and/or qualitative deficiency of the gut microbiota (dysbiosis) probably is a basis of many disorders, including obesity.

Aim: To present an overview of the possible association between gut microbiota and obesity.

Methods: Meta-analysis of available scientific and published data including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Cochrane Library.

Results: In the intestinal microbiota at obese people is detected a specific increase in the proportion between class Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes despite the non-obese people. Also, it is detected a decrease in this proportion if the person lost weight. These facts may be secondary to obesity. The colonisation of germ-free mice with microbiota from ordinarily feed or obese mice, without changes in the feed style leads to increase body fat to more than 50%.

Conclusion: The human gut microbiota directly affects the food digestion, absorption and metabolism. The gut microbiota of obese people has a higher capacity for receiving energy from the food than the microbiota at slim people. The gut microbiota affects appetite control and energy balance. Lifestyle and food regimen affect the diversity of the gut microbiota and the presence of dysbiosis.

Keywords: association; gut; microbiota; obesity.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Composition and number of major gut microbial species
Figure 2
Figure 2
Main factors affecting the gut microbiota composition highlighting the great influence of diet and lifestyle on the composition
Figure 3
Figure 3
Factors that regulate appetite through effects on CNS. (NPY-neuropeptide Y; MCHmelanin-concentrating hormone; AgRP-agouti-related transcript; MSH-melanocyte stimulating hormone; CART-cocaine and amphetamine-related transcript; GLP-1-glucagon-like peptide; CCK-cholecystokinin; PYY-peptide YY)
Figure 4
Figure 4
Central hormonal control of appetite and energy expenditure. (NPY-neuropeptide Y; AgRP-agouti-related peptide; POMC-proopiomelanocortin; CART-cocaine and amphetamine-related peptide; CCK-cholecystokinin; GLP-1-glucagon-like peptide; OXM-oxyntomodulin)
Figure 5
Figure 5
Local and distant effects of gut microbiota in the pathogenesis of obesity [16]. (LPS-lipopolysaccharide; SCFAsshort-chain fatty acids; Fiaf-fasting-induced adiposity factor; NKT-natural killer cell; GPR 43/41-G-protein-related receptor; AMPKAMP-activated protein kinase; CHREBP-carbohydrate related element-binding protein; SREBP-1-sterol regulating element-binding protein; FXR-farnesoid X receptor; TMAO-trimethylamine N-oxide; GLP-1-glucagon-like peptide; PYY-peptide YY; CCK-cholecystokinin)
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