Challenges in simulating the human gut for understanding the role of the microbiota in obesity

M. Aguirre, K. Venema*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

There is an elevated incidence of cases of obesity worldwide. Therefore, the development of strategies to tackle this condition is of vital importance. This review focuses on the necessity of optimising in vitro systems to model human colonic fermentation in obese subjects. This may allow to increase the resolution and the physiological relevance of the information obtained from this type of studies when evaluating the potential role that the human gut microbiota plays in obesity. In light of the parameters that are currently used for the in vitro simulation of the human gut (which are mostly based on information derived from healthy subjects) and the possible difference with an obese condition, we propose to revise and improve specific standard operating procedures.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)31-53
JournalBeneficial Microbes
Volume8
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017

Keywords

  • human obesity
  • intestinal microbiota
  • fermentation
  • simulation

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