How the Microbiome Might Promote Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity

Acetate might be the pivotal molecule.

Certain phyla of gut bacteria are more common in patients with metabolic syndrome, obesity, or both (NEJM JW Gen Med Nov 15 2013 and Nature 2013; 500:541). A series of experiments in rats provides strong evidence for metabolic and physiologic mechanisms that explain this correlation.

Consistent with previous study results, relatively large numbers of Firmicutes and small numbers of Bacteroidetes in the rats' feces led to glucose intolerance and obesity. This bacterial milieu was associated with a high concentration of the short-chain fatty acid, acetate, in the gut. High-fat diets promoted this bacterial milieu and increased production of acetate. As acetate travelled through the blood to the brain (or was administered into the ventricular s…

Reviewing Author

Anthony L. Komaroff, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardSerImmune Inc.; DxTerity

Grant / Research SupportNIH (1U54NS105542-01)

Editorial BoardsHarvard Health Letter; UpToDate

Anthony L. Komaroff, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardSerImmune Inc.; DxTerity

Grant / Research SupportNIH (1U54NS105542-01)

Editorial BoardsHarvard Health Letter; UpToDate

How the Microbiome Might Promote Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity

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Reviewing Author