The Importance of the Gut Microbiota in Body Weight Control and Insulin Sensitivity

Summary

BACKGROUND: The relation between gut microbiota and obesity originates from animal studies, showing that the change of gut microbiota can induce changes in both insulin resistance and body composition. In addition, these studies have shown changes in gut permeability inducing a pro-inflammatory state, changes in adipose tissue function and inflammation, effects on energy harvesting and metabolism, skeletal muscle fatty acid partitioning and fat oxidation. Human data is lacking, although several studies suggested that the composition of the gut microbiota differs between lean and obese, and between diabetic and non-diabetic individuals. OBJECTIVE: To provide insight in the physiological significance and underlying mechanisms involved in the relation between gut microbiota, energy balance and insulin sensitivity in overweight men with impaired glucose homeostasis.

Timeline

Start

2012-04

Primary completion

2014-10

Completion

2014-11

Publications

• Reijnders D, Goossens GH, Hermes GDA, Smidt H, Zoetendal EG, Blaak EE. Short-Term Microbiota Manipulation and Forearm Substrate Metabolism in Obese Men: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Obes Facts. 2018;11(4):318-326. doi: 10.1159/000492114. Epub 2018 Aug 9.
• Jocken JWE, Reijnders D, Canfora EE, Boekschoten MV, Plat J, Goossens GH, Blaak EE. Effects of gut microbiota manipulation on ex vivo lipolysis in human abdominal subcutaneous adipocytes. Adipocyte. 2018;7(2):106-112. doi: 10.1080/21623945.2018.1464366. Epub 2018 Apr 25.

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