A Bibliometric and Visualized Analysis of Global Trends in Gut Microbiota and Metabolic Syndrome Research

The relationship between the gut microbiota and metabolic syndrome (MetS) has attracted increasing attention, but the knowledge structure, research hotspots, and evolution of this field remain insufficiently characterized. English-language articles and reviews published in the Web of Science Core Collection from 2015 to 2025 were retrieved, based on the final search and data export conducted on April 18, 2026. Using the predefined search strategy and database filters, 2,473 records were retrieved and analyzed using CiteSpace 6.4.R1, VOSviewer 1.6.20, and SCImago Graphica 1.0.35 to evaluate publication trends, collaboration networks, knowledge structures, research hotspots, and emerging frontiers. Annual publication output increased from 72 articles in 2015 to 333 in 2025 and peaked at 334 in 2021. The country/region collaboration network comprised 97 nodes and 134 links, with a density of 0.0288. China and the United States were the leading contributors, while the United States occupied a prominent bridging position. Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Zhejiang University, Harvard Medical School, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences were major institutional contributors. Nieuwdorp M was the most productive author, whereas Cani PD was the most frequently co-cited author. Nutrients was the most productive journal, publishing 170 articles. Keyword analysis identified MetS, gut microbiota, obesity, inflammation, and insulin resistance as the principal research themes. "Diet induced obesity" showed the strongest early keyword burst (strength = 9.02; 2015-2019), whereas probiotics, dysbiosis, and clinical trials emerged as recent research frontiers. While metabolic and inflammatory mechanisms remained prominent, microbiota-targeted interventions and clinical translation gained increasing research attention in recent years.