Gut microbiota and sirtuins in obesity-related inflammation and bowel dysfunction

• Published in: Journal of translational medicine Vol. 9; no. 1; p. 202
• Main Authors: Lakhan, Shaheen E, Kirchgessner, Annette
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 24.11.2011; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Animals; Bacteria; Complications and side effects; Diagnosis; Enteric Nervous System - pathology; Gastrointestinal Tract - innervation; Gastrointestinal Tract - microbiology; Gastrointestinal Tract - pathology; Gastrointestinal Tract - physiopathology; Health aspects; Humans; Inflammation - complications; Inflammation - microbiology; Inflammation - pathology; Inflammation - physiopathology; Metabolic disorders; Metagenome - physiology; Microbiota (Symbiotic organisms); Nutrition; Obesity; Obesity - complications; Obesity - microbiology; Obesity - pathology; Obesity - physiopathology; Review; Rodents; Sirtuins - metabolism; Weight control; United States
• ISSN: 1479-5876; 1479-5876
• DOI: 10.1186/1479-5876-9-202

Obesity is a chronic disease characterized by persistent low-grade inflammation with alterations in gut motility. Motor abnormalities suggest that obesity has effects on the enteric nervous system (ENS), which controls virtually all gut functions. Recent studies have revealed that the gut microbiota can affect obesity and increase inflammatory tone by modulating mucosal barrier function. Furthermore, the observation that inflammatory conditions influence the excitability of enteric neurons may add to the gut dysfunction in obesity. In this article, we discuss recent advances in understanding the role of gut microbiota and inflammation in the pathogenesis of obesity and obesity-related gastrointestinal dysfunction. The potential contribution of sirtuins in protecting or regulating the circuitry of the ENS under inflamed states is also considered.