A Scoping Review on the Role of the Microbiome as a Factor in the Bidirectional Association Between Obesity and...

Obesity is a chronic illness highly comorbid with mental health conditions, particularly depression. Among the factors involved in this association, inflammation is a consistently identified link. This review explores the emerging role of the gut microbiota as a modulator of inflammation and its potential involvement in the pathophysiological processes linking obesity and depression.

Chronic low-grade inflammation is observed in both obesity and depressive disorders. Alterations in gut microbiota are increasingly implicated in inflammatory mechanisms, including increased intestinal permeability, immune activation, and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, influencing leukocyte function and cytokine production. Additionally, both obesity and depression are associated with altered microbial composition. The gut microbiome contributes to chronic inflammation relevant to the pathophysiology of both obesity and depression. Accumulating evidence highlights the need for further research into how gut microbiota influences inflammatory mechanisms observed in both obesity and depression.