Microbial Interactions with Intestinal Lipid Digestion and Absorption: Emerging Targets for Metabolic Disorders

Dietary fat undergoes digestion and absorption before entering enterocytes, where lipids are re-esterified and packaged into chylomicrons for lymphatic transport. The interaction between intestinal lipid absorption and metabolic disorders, such as obesity, has been demonstrated in both animal models and human studies. Here, we comprehensively review microbial interactions with intestinal lipase secretion and lipid absorption as well as the potential mechanisms associated with microbial metabolites, bile acids, immune cells, Snhg9, toll-like receptors, and intestinal permeability. We also highlight the relevance of these findings to metabolic diseases and their potential application in developing therapies that target intestinal lipid absorption through the modulation of gut microbiota, such as the use of probiotics and dietary nutrients. Finally, key questions regarding microbial interactions with intestinal lipid absorption are outlined to guide future research.