Modulation of gut microbiota in the management of metabolic disorders: the prospects and challenges.

Omotayo O Erejuwa,Mohd S Ab Wahab,Siti A Sulaiman

doi:10.3390/ijms15034158

Omotayo O Erejuwa, Mohd S Ab Wahab + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms15034158

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Abstract

The gut microbiota plays a number of important roles including digestion, metabolism, extraction of nutrients, synthesis of vitamins, prevention against pathogen colonization, and modulation of the immune system. Alterations or changes in composition and biodiversity of the gut microbiota have been associated with many gastrointestinal tract (GIT) disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer. Recent evidence suggests that altered composition and diversity of gut microbiota may play a role in the increased prevalence of metabolic diseases. This review article has two main objectives. First, it underscores approaches (such as probiotics, prebiotics, antimicrobial agents, bariatric surgery, and weight loss strategies) and their prospects in modulating the gut microbiota in the management of metabolic diseases. Second, it highlights some of the current challenges and discusses areas of future research as it relates to the gut microbiota and metabolic diseases. The prospect of modulating the gut microbiota seems promising. However, considering that research investigating the role of gut microbiota in metabolic diseases is still in its infancy, more rigorous and well-designed in vitro, animal and clinical studies are needed.

Highlights

In the last few decades, the prevalences of metabolic disorders, such as obesity, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and diabetes mellitus have been on the rise
These microorganisms are collectively referred to as microbiota, while their collective genomes constitute what is known as the microbiome. Most of these gut microorganisms reside in the large intestine, which contains an estimated 1011−12 bacterial concentrations per gram of content [6]. These gut microbes play a number of physiological roles such as digestion, metabolism, extraction of nutrients, synthesis of vitamins, prevention against colonization by pathogens, and immunomodulation [7,8]
A recent review of literature reveals that Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB)-modified gut microbiota is uniquely different from the gut microbial alterations following weight loss without RYGB surgery [108]. These findings reveal that bariatric surgery is associated with altered composition and diversity of gut microbiota, and improved metabolic abnormalities

Summary

Introduction

In the last few decades, the prevalences of metabolic disorders, such as obesity, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and diabetes mellitus have been on the rise These metabolic diseases, which are associated with greater risk factors for other diseases, contribute considerably to increased incidence of cardiovascular disease [1,2]. The human gut, the largest microbial reservoir in the body, harbors about 1013−14 microorganisms (predominantly bacteria) [5] These microorganisms are collectively referred to as microbiota, while their collective genomes constitute what is known as the microbiome. Most of these gut microorganisms reside in the large intestine (colon), which contains an estimated 1011−12 bacterial concentrations per gram of content [6]. These gut microbes play a number of physiological roles such as digestion, metabolism, extraction of nutrients, synthesis of vitamins, prevention against colonization by pathogens, and immunomodulation [7,8]

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