Gut microbiota modulation and its relationship with obesity using prebioticfibers and probiotics: A review
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Date
2017
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Frontiers in Microbiology
Abstract
In the present world scenario, obesity has almost attained the level of a pandemic
and is progressing at a rapid rate. This disease is the mother of all other metabolic
disorders, which apart from placing an added financial burden on the concerned
patient also has a negative impact on his/her well-being and health in the society.
Among the various plausible factors for the development of obesity, the role of gut
microbiota is very crucial. In general, the gut of an individual is inhabited by trillions
of microbes that play a significant role in host energy homeostasis by their symbiotic
interactions. Dysbiosis in gut microbiota causes disequilibrium in energy homeostasis
that ultimately leads to obesity. Numerous mechanisms have been reported by which
gut microbiota induces obesity in experimental models. However, which microbial
community is directly linked to obesity is still unknown due to the complex nature of
gut microbiota. Prebiotics and probiotics are the safer and effective dietary substances
available, which can therapeutically alter the gut microbiota of the host. In this review,
an effort was made to discuss the current mechanisms through which gut microbiota
interacts with host energy metabolism in the context of obesity. Further, the therapeutic
approaches (prebiotics/probiotics) that helped in positively altering the gut microbiota
were discussed by taking experimental evidence from animal and human studies. In the
closing statement, the challenges and future tasks within the field were discussed.
Description
Keywords
gut microbiota, prebiotic, probiotics, obesity, nanotechnology