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Neuromodulatory effect of microbiome on gut-brain axis; new target for obesity drugs

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Abstract

Considering the increasing prevalence of obesity worldwide, new approaches for its control have been investigated. Recent evidences highlighted the role of the gut microbiome in weight management. Obesity-associated gut microbiota alters host energy uptake, insulin sensitivity, inflammation, and fat storage. Moreover, the gut microbiota-derived metabolites could control appetite directly by affecting the central nervous system or indirectly through modifying the gut hormones secretion. Metabolites of the gut microbiome-brain axis could be novel targets for designing drugs in obesity. They can be prescribed directly like butyrate or can be modulated by manipulating the gut microbiota through probiotics, prebiotics and other dietary components such as polyphenols. Microbiome studies are trying to identify novel microbial species as next-generation probiotics to restore healthy gut microbiota composition and combat obesity and its related complications. According to the relationships between the gut microbiota and microbial composition of other parts of the body, the mechanisms linking the gut-brain axis and the whole human microbiota should be elucidated to provide novel anti-obesity strategies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Obesity and Eating Habits Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Hanieh-Sadat Ejtahed & Shirin Hasani-Ranjbar

  2. Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, 5th Floor, Shariati Hospital, North Kargar Ave, 1411413137, Tehran, Iran

    Shirin Hasani-Ranjbar

Authors
  1. Hanieh-Sadat Ejtahed
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  2. Shirin Hasani-Ranjbar
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HE drafted the manuscript. SH designed the study and helped to draft the manuscript. Both authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Shirin Hasani-Ranjbar.

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Ejtahed, HS., Hasani-Ranjbar, S. Neuromodulatory effect of microbiome on gut-brain axis; new target for obesity drugs. J Diabetes Metab Disord 18, 263–265 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40200-019-00384-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40200-019-00384-4

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