Obesity and Asthma: Microbiome-Metabolome Interactions
Stephanie A Shore1, Youngji Cho1
1Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts.
Summary
Obesity-related gut bacteria changes may worsen asthma. Metabolites like short-chain fatty acids and bile acids produced by gut bacteria could be key factors in obesity-related asthma, suggesting new treatment avenues.
Area of Science:
- Microbiome research
- Metabolic disorders
- Respiratory medicine
Background:
- Obesity is a significant risk factor for asthma, yet obese individuals with asthma exhibit poor responses to conventional therapies.
- Obesity is associated with alterations in gut bacterial composition, impacting metabolic health and systemic inflammation.
- Gut microbiota-derived metabolites can influence extra-intestinal diseases, including cardiovascular conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the hypothesis linking obesity-associated gut microbiota alterations to the pathogenesis of obesity-related asthma.
- To explore the potential roles of specific gut bacteria-derived metabolites, namely short-chain fatty acids and bile acids, in this condition.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on the interplay between obesity, gut microbiota, and asthma.
- Analysis of existing research on metabolomic alterations in obesity and the impact of gut bacteria-derived metabolites on systemic health.
Main Results:
- Obesity alters host metabolomes and gut bacterial communities.
- Gut bacteria produce metabolites that enter circulation and affect distant organs.
- Short-chain fatty acids and bile acids are identified as key microbial metabolites potentially involved in obesity-related asthma.
Conclusions:
- Obesity-related dysbiosis of the gut microbiota may contribute to the development and severity of asthma in obese individuals.
- Understanding the role of microbiota-derived metabolites could pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies targeting obesity-related asthma.
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