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Updated: May 28, 2026

Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing

Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing

Published on: October 15, 2019

Obesity and the gut microbiota.

Harry J Flint¹

¹Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen, UK. h.flint@abdn.ac.uk

Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology

|October 14, 2011

Summary

Gut microbes can impact body weight by fermenting food for energy and influencing gut hormones. Understanding these gut microbiota roles is key to managing weight gain and loss.

Area of Science:

Microbiology
Human Physiology
Metabolism

Background:

Gut microorganisms influence host physiology, including energy balance and fat deposition.
Microbial fermentation of indigestible dietary components yields energy for the host via short-chain fatty acids.
Gut microbiota composition is dynamic and influenced by diet, potentially affecting weight management.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the mechanisms by which gut microorganisms influence host weight gain and fat deposition.
To review the current understanding of gut microbiota's role in energy harvest and host metabolism.
To investigate the relationship between gut microbiota composition and host physiological factors like gut hormones and inflammation.

Main Methods:

Literature review of studies investigating gut microbiota and host weight.

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Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing

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Analysis of mechanisms including energy harvest, short-chain fatty acid production, and gut hormone modulation.

Examination of the impact of diet composition on gut microbiota and its subsequent effects on host physiology.

Main Results:

Gut microbes contribute to energy harvest through dietary fiber fermentation, providing absorbable short-chain fatty acids.
Microbiota composition can be altered by diet, with observed changes in obese individuals on specific weight loss diets.
Evidence suggests gut microorganisms influence gut hormones, inflammation, and motility, impacting satiety and food intake.
Conflicting data exists regarding distinct gut microbiota compositions between obese and non-obese individuals.

Conclusions:

Gut microbiota plays a significant role in host energy balance and fat accumulation.
Microbial influence on gut hormones, inflammation, and motility presents potential targets for weight management.
Further research is needed to elucidate the specific roles of different gut microbes in host physiology and weight regulation.