Role of Gut Microbiota in the Development of Obesity and Diabetes

Abstract

The gut microbiota is a complex and dynamic community of trillions of microorganisms that live in the gastrointestinal tract, has turned out to be a key controller of metabolism, immunity, and general health of the host. There is a growing body of evidence that evidence of the dysbiosis or changes in the gut microbial composition is a major contributor to the onset and severity of obesity and diabetes in animal models. These disruptions affect energy collection, fat and glucose homeostasis, and systemic inflammation, which brings to focus the microbiota as an energetic determinant of metabolic well-being. Mechanistic studies prove the functions of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in maintaining intestinal barrier integrity and glucose metabolism, and endotoxin-mediated metabolic endotoxemia and immune signaling cascade aggravate insulin resistance and chronic inflammation. Probiotics, prebiotics, fecal microbial transplantation (FMT), dietary therapy, and pharmacological agents are all experimental treatments used to restore microbial balance and improve the metabolic outcomes in controlled animal experiments. Although these findings are encouraging, it is difficult to apply them to humans because of inter-species variations, changes with environments and diets, and doubts over long-term effectiveness. The therapeutic potential of the gut microbiota in preventing and managing obesity and diabetes requires the integration of longitudinal human studies with multi-omics and personalized microbiome-based strategies in the future to tap into the potential of microbiota.