Neuromodulatory effect of microbiome on gut-brain axis; new target for obesity drugs

Considering the increasing prevalence of obesity worldwide, new approaches for its control have been investigated. Recent evidences highlighted the role of the gut microbiome in weight management. Obesity-associated gut microbiota alters host energy uptake, insulin sensitivity, inflammation, and fat storage. Moreover, the gut microbiota-derived metabolites could control appetite directly by affecting the central nervous system or indirectly through modifying the gut hormones secretion. Metabolites of the gut microbiome-brain axis could be novel targets for designing drugs in obesity. They can be prescribed directly like butyrate or can be modulated by manipulating the gut microbiota through probiotics, prebiotics and other dietary components such as polyphenols. Microbiome studies are trying to identify novel microbial species as next-generation probiotics to restore healthy gut microbiota composition and combat obesity and its related complications. According to the relationships between the gut microbiota and microbial composition of other parts of the body, the mechanisms linking the gut-brain axis and the whole human microbiota should be elucidated to provide novel anti-obesity strategies.