1: Pathol Biol (Paris). 2008 Jul;56(5):305-9. Epub 2008 Jan 30.

Role of gut microflora in the development of obesity and insulin resistance
following high-fat diet feeding.

Cani PD, Delzenne NM, Amar J, Burcelin R.

Unit of Pharmacokinetics, Metabolism, Nutrition and Toxicology, université
catholique de Louvain, avenue E. Mounier, 73/69, 1200 Brussels, Belgium.
patrice.cani@uclouvain.be

A recent growing number of evidences shows that the increased prevalence of
obesity and type 2 diabetes cannot be solely attributed to changes in the human
genome, nutritional habits, or reduction of physical activity in our daily lives.
Gut microflora may play an even more important role in maintaining human health. 
Recent data suggests that gut microbiota affects host nutritional metabolism with
consequences on energy storage. Several mechanisms are proposed, linking events
occurring in the colon and the regulation of energy metabolism. The present
review discusses new findings that may explain how gut microbiota can be involved
in the development of obesity and insulin resistance. Recently, studies have
highlighted some key aspects of the mammalian host-gut microbial relationship.
Gut microbiota could now be considered as a "microbial organ" localized within
the host. Therefore, specific strategies aiming to regulate gut microbiota could 
be useful means to reduce the impact of high-fat feeding on the occurrence of
metabolic diseases.


PMID: 18178333 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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