Gut microflora as a target for energy and metabolic homeostasis.

Cani PD, Delzenne NM
Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care (2007) 10:729-734

Purpose of review
Gut microbiota plays an important role in health and disease, but this ecosystem remains incompletely
characterized and shows a wide diversity. This review discusses new findings that may explain how gut microbiota
can be involved in the control of energy and metabolic homeostasis.
Recent findings
Over the past 5 years studies have highlighted some key aspects of the mammalian host–gut microbial relationship.
Gut microbiota could now be considered a ‘microbial organ’ placed within a host organ. Recent data suggest that the
modulation of gut microbiota affects host metabolism and has an impact on energy storage. Several mechanisms are
proposed that link events occurring in the colon and the regulation of energy metabolism.
Summary
Gut microflora may play an even more important role in maintaining human health than previously thought. The
literature provides new evidence that the increased prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes cannot be
attributed solely to changes in the human genome, nutritional habits, or reduction of physical activity in our daily
lives. One must also consider this important new environmental factor, namely gut microbiota. Scientists may
take into consideration a key question: could we manipulate the microbiotic environment to treat or prevent obesity and
type 2 diabetes? This opens up a new area in nutrition research.