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Updated: Oct 29, 2025

Microbiota Analysis Using Two-step PCR and Next-generation 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing
Published on: October 15, 2019
A review on gut microbiota: a central factor in the pathophysiology of obesity
A L Cunningham1,2, J W Stephens3, D A Harris4,3
1Department of Surgery, Swansea Bay University Health Board, Swansea, SA2 8QA, UK. cunninghamal@doctors.org.uk.
Abstract:
Obesity and its complications constitute a substantial burden. Considerable published research describes the novel relationships between obesity and gut microbiota communities. It is becoming evident that microbiota behave in a pivotal role in their ability to influence homeostatic mechanisms either to the benefit or detriment of host health, the extent of which is not fully understood. A greater understanding of the contribution of gut microbiota towards host pathophysiology is revealing new therapeutic avenues to tackle the global obesity epidemic. This review focuses on causal relationships and associations with obesity, proposed central mechanisms encouraging the development of obesity and promising prospective methods for microbiota manipulation.
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