Abstract
Overwhelming evidence demonstrates an important role of the gut microbiome in the development of a wide range of diseases, including obesity, metabolic disorders, and mental health symptoms. Indeed, interventions targeting the gut microbiome are being actively investigated as a therapeutic strategy to tackle these diseases. Given that obesity and mental health symptoms are both hallmarks of Prader-Willi syndrome, targeting the gut microbiome may be a promising therapeutical strategy. Only a few studies have investigated the gut microbiome in the context of Prader-Willi syndrome and assessed the efficacy of probiotic supplementation as a therapeutic strategy for this disease. Here, we review the knowledge obtained to this date regarding the gut microbiome in individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome. The limited evidence available indicate that probiotic supplementation improves some metabolic and mental health aspects, however further studies are warranted to determine whether targeting the gut microbiome may constitute a safe and efficient strategy to treat individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome.
Highlights
We review the knowledge generated on the gut microbiome in the context of Prader-Willi SyndromePrader-Willi syndrome (PWS) as well as the interventions targeting the microbiome in this disease
Due to the specific characteristics of PWS, these subjects might benefit from probiotic supplementation, especially regarding both metabolic and mental health aspects
The intervention studies to date indicate that probiotic supplementation has the potential to improve adiposity, metabolic parameters, and mental health symptoms in subjects with PWS, with no significant adverse events
Summary
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic disorder with an estimated prevalence of. The lack of gene expression mainly occurs by three different mechanisms: deletion (65–75% of cases), maternal uniparental disomy (20–30% of cases), or imprinting defects (1–3% of cases). Individuals with PWS show severe hypotonia and feeding difficulties during infancy [4]. Later on, they typically develop hyperphagia which, in combination with low energy requirements, leads to rapid weight gain [4]. Maternal disomy are at higher risk for severe mental health alterations than those with deletions [7]. Current treatments involve early physical and cognitive stimulation, growth hormone therapy, healthy eating patterns, and structured exercise programs, which significantly improve health of subjects with PWS [8]. Recent studies have focused on the gut microbiome as a target for therapeutical approaches
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