by Fernando Aspiroz
At the second PreProSim -- Brazilian Congress on Pre, Pro and Synbiotics --, several sessions on June 16th covered the topic of metabolic disorders and obesity.
by Kristina Campbell
A recent study lent insight into the role of the microbiota in both diet-related and genetic obesity in humans.
by Kristina Campbell
Dr. Stephen J.D. O'Keefe is a Professor of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh and a practicing gastroenterologist at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. His work focuses on 'nutritional gastroenterology' -- in particular, translational research that evaluates physiological and
by Kristina Campbell
When Dr. Deanna Gibson began studying patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), she found it strange that scientists knew very little about how diet -- a controllable factor -- could alter gut microbes and gut immune responses.
In this Nature Medicine news article, Roxanne Khamsi reports on research around the world showing the microbiome exerts an influence on the human immune system. If scientists knew how to control the key process of inflammation, they could profoundly influence the course of disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease, heart disease, and liver disease.
by Kristina Campbell
For Catherine Lozupone, formerly a researcher in the Knight and Gordon labs and now faculty at the University of Colorado, characterizing a 'healthy microbiota' or even a 'healthy diet' is far from straightforward.
by Paul Enck
Prebiotics and probiotics are food components that directly target the gut microbiota. This recent human study investigated their effects on gut microbiota and metabolic risk markers in obesity.
by Paul Enck
Scientists aren't clear on the exact relationship between the Firmicutes to Bacteroides/Prevotella (F:B) ratio, fecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels, and obesity. This observational human study analyzed 3-day dietary intakes, physical activity levels, body mass index, fecal microbiota, and SCFAs in both lean and overweight/obese research participants (n=94).
by Stefan Jellbauer
Do specific microbiota determine levels of specific metabolites? How does the metabolite profile develop during establishment of the microbiome in infants? Can we assess an individual’s physiological state based on gut flora and metabolites?
Microglia are important immune system cells in the brain that can destroy target cells. They are important for proper brain development and associated with neuropsychiatric or neurological disorders in humans.
