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Review
. 2016 Jun 18:15:108.
doi: 10.1186/s12944-016-0278-4.

The role of Gut Microbiota in the development of obesity and Diabetes

Othman A Baothman  1 , Mazin A Zamzami  1 , Ibrahim Taher  2 , Jehad Abubaker  3 , Mohamed Abu-Farha  4
Affiliations
Review

The role of Gut Microbiota in the development of obesity and Diabetes

Othman A Baothman et al. Lipids Health Dis. .

Abstract

Obesity and its associated complications like type 2 diabetes (T2D) are reaching epidemic stages. Increased food intake and lack of exercise are two main contributing factors. Recent work has been highlighting an increasingly more important role of gut microbiota in metabolic disorders. It's well known that gut microbiota plays a major role in the development of food absorption and low grade inflammation, two key processes in obesity and diabetes. This review summarizes key discoveries during the past decade that established the role of gut microbiota in the development of obesity and diabetes. It will look at the role of key metabolites mainly the short chain fatty acids (SCFA) that are produced by gut microbiota and how they impact key metabolic pathways such as insulin signalling, incretin production as well as inflammation. It will further look at the possible ways to harness the beneficial aspects of the gut microbiota to combat these metabolic disorders and reduce their impact.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
A diagram showing main factors affecting the gut microbiota composition highlighting the great impact of diet on this composition
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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