Causality of small and large intestinal microbiota in weight regulation and insulin resistance

Publication date: Available online 10 June 2016 Source:Molecular Metabolism Author(s): Torsten P.M. Scheithauer, Geesje M. Dallinga-Thie, Willem M. de Vos, Max Nieuwdorp, Daniël H. van Raalte Background The twin pandemics of obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are a global challenge for health care systems. Changes in the environment, behavior, diet, and lifestyle during the last decades are considered the major causes. A Western diet, which is rich in saturated fat and simple sugars, may lead to changes in gut microbial composition and physiology, which have recently been linked to the development of metabolic diseases. Scope of Review We will discuss evidence that demonstrates the influence of the small and large intestinal microbiota on weight regulation and the development of insulin resistance. Major conclusions Altered large intestinal microbial composition may promote obesity by increasing energy harvest through specialized gut microbes. In both large and small intestine, microbial alterations may increase gut permeability that facilitates the translocation of whole bacteria or endotoxic bacterial components into metabolic active tissues. Moreover, changed microbial communities may affect the production of satiety-inducing signals. Finally, bacterial metabolic products, such as short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and their relative ratios, may be causal in disturbed immune and metabolic signaling, notably in the small intestine where the surface is large. ...
Source: Molecular Metabolism - Category: Endocrinology Source Type: research