Gut Microbiota Research & Practice is a section dedicated to promoting knowledge-sharing and debate among researchers, scientists and healthcare professionals. You will find a selection of discussions about articles from scientific literature as well as other content including interviews with experts, event reports, and special publications.
by GMFH Editing Team
Yava L. Jones-Hall, Ariangela Kozik and Cindy Nakatsu from Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA, have recently published a paper in PLoS ONE on the role of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and the impact of this pro-inflammatory cytokine on the gut microbiota.
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.
Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are complex chronic diseases with rapidly growing prevalence across the world. Human studies have found that both genetic and environmental factors contribute to T2DM; the clearest lifestyle factors are high caloric intake and low physical activity. The mechanisms by which human T2DM arises is still unclear, but obesity, insulin resistance and ß-cell dysfunction all play a role.
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 GMFH Editing Team
Faecalibacterium prausnitzii is known for exhibiting anti-inflammatory effects in vitro and in vivo by secreted metabolites that block nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation. The low proportion of F. prausnitzii in the microbiome of Crohn’s disease patients characterizes the microbial dysbiosis associated with that condition.
by Kristina Campbell
Bernd Schnabl, MD, is a practicing physician and associate professor at University of California San Diego. His research focuses on the cellular and molecular mechanisms that contribute to chronic liver disease.
Many disorders are associated with impaired function of the gut barrier. The gut microbiota regulates gut barrier function, and previous research has shown that modulation of gut microbiota shows promise for enhancing barrier integrity.
Many studies are moving beyond investigation of species that are present in the gut, and addressing how the gut microbiota function. How do they achieve, for example, their influence on weight?
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?
