Role of Gut Microbiome and Microbial Metabolites in Alleviating Insulin Resistance After Bariatric Surgery

Global trends and collaborative networks in gut microbiota-insulin resistance research: a comprehensive bibliometric analysis (2000-2024)

Background

The human gut microbiota plays a crucial role in maintaining metabolic health, with substantial evidence linking its composition to insulin resistance. This study aims to analyze the global scholarly contributions on the relationship between intestinal microbiota and insulin resistance from 2000 to 2024.

Methods

A bibliometric analysis was conducted using data from Scopus and Web of Science Core Collection. The search strategy included terms related to "Gastrointestinal Microbiome" and "Insulin Resistance" in the title or abstract.

Results

The analysis of 1,884 relevant studies from 510 sources was conducted, revealing a mean citation of 51.36 per manuscript and a remarkable annual growth rate of 22.08%. The findings highlight the significant role of gut microbiota in insulin resistance, corroborating prior studies that emphasize its influence on metabolic disorders. The literature review of the current study showed key mechanisms include the regulation of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and gut hormones, which are critical for glucose metabolism and inflammation regulation. The analysis also identifies "Food and Function" as the most productive journal and Nieuwdorp M. as a leading author, underscoring the collaborative nature of this research area.

Conclusion

The consistent increase in publications in the field of gut microbiota and insulin resistance indicates growing recognition of the gut microbiota's therapeutic potential in treating insulin resistance and related metabolic disorders. Future research should focus on standardizing methodologies and conducting large-scale clinical trials to fully realize these therapeutic possibilities.

A Metabolite Perspective on the Involvement of the Gut Microbiota in Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a commonly diagnosed condition that has been extensively studied. The composition and activity of gut microbes, as well as the metabolites they produce (such as short-chain fatty acids, lipopolysaccharides, trimethylamine N-oxide, and bile acids) can significantly impact diabetes development. Treatment options, including medication, can enhance the gut microbiome and its metabolites, and even reverse intestinal epithelial dysfunction. Both animal and human studies have demonstrated the role of microbiota metabolites in influencing diabetes, as well as their complex chemical interactions with signaling molecules. This article focuses on the importance of microbiota metabolites in type 2 diabetes and provides an overview of various pharmacological and dietary components that can serve as therapeutic tools for reducing the risk of developing diabetes. A deeper understanding of the link between gut microbial metabolites and T2D will enhance our knowledge of the disease and may offer new treatment approaches. Although many animal studies have investigated the palliative and attenuating effects of gut microbial metabolites on T2D, few have established a complete cure. Therefore, conducting more systematic studies in the future is necessary.

Plasma short-chain fatty acid changes after bariatric surgery in patients with severe obesity

BACKGROUND

Obesity has reached epidemic dimensions in recent decades. Bariatric surgery (BS) is one of the most effective interventions for weight loss and metabolic improvement in patients with obesity. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) are gut microbiota-derived metabolites with a key role in body weight control and insulin sensitivity. Although BS is known to induce significant changes in the gut microbiota composition, its impact on the circulating levels of certain metabolites produced by the gut microbiota such as SCFA remains poorly understood.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the impact of BS on the circulating SCFA levels in patients with severe obesity.

SETTING

University hospital.

METHODS

An observational, prospective study was performed on 51 patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Plasma samples were collected at baseline (1 day before surgery) and at 6 and 12 months after BS. Plasma SCFA levels were determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

RESULTS

The results revealed significant changes in the circulating levels of SCFA after BS. A marked increase in propionate, butyrate, isobutyrate, and isovalerate levels and a decrease in acetate, valerate, hexanoate, and heptanoate levels were observed 12 months after BS. Furthermore, the changes in the levels of propionate, butyrate, and isobutyrate negatively correlated with changes in body mass index, while those of isobutyrate correlated negatively with changes in the homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance index.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that propionate, butyrate, and isobutyrate levels could be related to weight loss and improved insulin sensitivity in patients with severe obesity after BS.

The impact of microbially modified metabolites associated with obesity and bariatric surgery on antitumor immunity

Obesity is strongly associated with the occurrence and development of many types of cancers. Patients with obesity and cancer present with features of a disordered gut microbiota and metabolism, which may inhibit the physiological immune response to tumors and possibly damage immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. In recent years, bariatric surgery has become increasingly common and is recognized as an effective strategy for long-term weight loss; furthermore, bariatric surgery can induce favorable changes in the gut microbiota. Some studies have found that microbial metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), inosine bile acids and spermidine, play an important role in anticancer immunity. In this review, we describe the changes in microbial metabolites initiated by bariatric surgery and discuss the effects of these metabolites on anticancer immunity. This review attempts to clarify the relationship between alterations in microbial metabolites due to bariatric surgery and the effectiveness of cancer treatment. Furthermore, this review seeks to provide strategies for the development of microbial metabolites mimicking the benefits of bariatric surgery with the aim of improving therapeutic outcomes in cancer patients who have not received bariatric surgery.

Exercise training modifies xenometabolites in gut and circulation of lean and obese adults

Regular, moderate exercise modifies the gut microbiome and contributes to human metabolic and immune health. The microbiome may exert influence on host physiology through the microbial production and modification of metabolites (xenometabolites); however, this has not been extensively explored. We hypothesized that 6 weeks of supervised, aerobic exercise 3×/week (60%-75% heart rate reserve [HRR], 30-60 min) in previously sedentary, lean (n = 14) and obese (n = 10) adults would modify both the fecal and serum xenometabolome. Serum and fecal samples were collected pre- and post-6 week intervention and analyzed by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Linear mixed models (LMMs) identified multiple fecal and serum xenometabolites responsive to exercise training. Further cluster and pathway analysis revealed that the most prominent xenometabolic shifts occurred within aromatic amino acid (ArAA) metabolic pathways. Fecal and serum ArAA derivatives correlated with body composition (lean mass), markers of insulin sensitivity (insulin, HOMA-IR) and cardiorespiratory fitness (V ̇ O 2 max $$ \dot{\mathrm{V}}{\mathrm{O}}_{2\max } $$ ), both at baseline and in response to exercise training. Two serum aromatic microbial-derived amino acid metabolites that were upregulated following the exercise intervention, indole-3-lactic acid (ILA: fold change: 1.2, FDR p < 0.05) and 4-hydroxyphenyllactic acid (4-HPLA: fold change: 1.3, FDR p < 0.05), share metabolic pathways within the microbiota and were associated with body composition and markers of insulin sensitivity at baseline and in response to training. These data provide evidence of physiologically relevant shifts in microbial metabolism that occur in response to exercise training, and reinforce the view that host metabolic health influences gut microbiota population and function. Future studies should consider the microbiome and xenometabolome when investigating the health benefits of exercise.

Fecal Metabolome and Bacterial Composition in Severe Obesity: Impact of Diet and Bariatric Surgery

The aim of this study was to monitor the impact of a preoperative low-calorie diet and bariatric surgery on the bacterial gut microbiota composition and functionality in severe obesity and to compare sleeve gastrectomy (SG) versus Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). The study also aimed to incorporate big data analysis for the omics results and machine learning by a Lasso-based analysis to detect the potential markers for excess weight loss. Forty patients who underwent bariatric surgery were recruited (14 underwent SG, and 26 underwent RYGB). Each participant contributed 4 fecal samples (baseline, post-diet, 1 month after surgery and 3 months after surgery). The bacterial composition was determined by 16S rDNA massive sequencing using MiSeq (Illumina). Metabolic signatures associated to fecal concentrations of short-chain fatty acids, amino acids, biogenic amines, gamma-aminobutyric acid and ammonium were determined by gas and liquid chromatography. Orange 3 software was employed to correlate the variables, and a Lasso analysis was employed to predict the weight loss at the baseline samples. A correlation between Bacillota (formerly Firmicutes) abundance and excess weight was observed only for the highest body mass indexes. The low-calorie diet had little impact on composition and targeted metabolic activity. RYGB had a deeper impact on bacterial composition and putrefactive metabolism than SG, although the excess weight loss was comparable in the two groups. Significantly higher ammonium concentrations were detected in the feces of the RYGB group. We detected individual signatures of composition and functionality, rather than a gut microbiota characteristic of severe obesity, with opposing tendencies for almost all measured variables in the two surgical approaches. The gut microbiota of the baseline samples was not useful for predicting excess weight loss after the bariatric process.

Bile acids, gut microbiota and metabolic surgery

Metabolic surgery, or bariatric surgery, is currently the most effective approach for treating obesity and its complications. Vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) are the top two types of commonly performed metabolic surgery now. The precise mechanisms of how the surgeries work are still unclear, therefore much research has been conducted in this area. Gut hormones such as GLP-1 and PYY have been studied extensively in the context of metabolic surgery because they both participate in satiety and glucose homeostasis. Bile acids, whose functions cover intestinal lipid absorption and various aspects of metabolic regulation via the action of FXR, TGR5, and other bile acid receptors, have also been actively investigated as potential mediators of metabolic surgery. Additionally, gut microbiota and their metabolites have also been studied because they can affect metabolic health. The current review summarizes and compares the recent scientific progress made on identifying the mechanisms of RYGB and VSG. One of the long-term goals of metabolic/bariatric surgery research is to develop new pharmacotherapeutic options for the treatment of obesity and diabetes. Because obesity is a growing health concern worldwide, there is a dire need in developing novel non-invasive treatment options.

Inter-Organ Crosstalk in the Development of Obesity-Associated Insulin Resistance

The epidemics of obesity and type 2 diabetes have led to intensive investigation of the underlying mechanisms of these diseases and their main complications such as cardiovascular diseases and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This search has contributed to better understand how organs and tissues communicate with each other in the so-called inter-organ crosstalk. Adipose tissue, the liver, or skeletal muscle can actively release secreted factors termed "organokines" which can interact with other distant targets in complex networks. More recently, other novel mediators of inter-organ crosstalk such as extracellular vesicles and their non-traditional cargoes as miRNAs and lncRNAs are gaining importance and represent potential therapeutic targets. In the present chapter we summarize some of the current knowledge on inter-organ communication with a focus on adipose tissue-released factors and their modulation on other organs and tissues like pancreas, liver, skeletal muscle, the cardiovascular system, and the gut in the context of obesity and its progression to insulin resistance. We also provide a perspective on mediators of inter-organ crosstalk as potential therapeutic targets.

Metabolomics in Bariatric Surgery: Towards Identification of Mechanisms and Biomarkers of Metabolic Outcomes

Bariatric surgery has been widely performed for the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Efforts have been made to investigate the mechanisms underlying the metabolic effects achieved by bariatric surgery and to identify candidates who will benefit from this surgery. Metabolomics, which includes comprehensive profiling of metabolites in biological samples, has been utilized for various disease entities to discover pathophysiological metabolic pathways and biomarkers predicting disease progression or prognosis. Over the last decade, metabolomic studies on patients undergoing bariatric surgery have identified significant biomarkers related to metabolic effects. This review describes the significance, progress, and challenges for the future of metabolomics in the area of bariatric surgery.

Gut Microbiome and Metabolites in Patients with NAFLD and after Bariatric Surgery: A Comprehensive Review

The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing, as are other manifestations of metabolic syndrome such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. NAFLD is currently the number one cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. The pathophysiology of NAFLD and disease progression is poorly understood. A potential contributing role for gut microbiome and metabolites in NAFLD is proposed. Currently, bariatric surgery is an effective therapy to prevent the progression of NAFLD and other manifestations of metabolic syndrome such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. This review provides an overview of gut microbiome composition and related metabolites in individuals with NAFLD and after bariatric surgery. Causality remains to be proven. Furthermore, the clinical effects of bariatric surgery on NAFLD are illustrated. Whether the gut microbiome and metabolites contribute to the metabolic improvement and improvement of NAFLD seen after bariatric surgery has not yet been proven. Future microbiome and metabolome research is necessary for elucidating the pathophysiology and underlying metabolic pathways and phenotypes and providing better methods for diagnostics, prognostics and surveillance to optimize clinical care.

Leaky Gut as a Potential Culprit for the Paradoxical Dysglycemic Response to Gastric Bypass-Associated Ileal Microbiota

Altered host-intestinal microbiota interactions are increasingly implicated in the metabolic benefits of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery. We previously found, however, that RYGB-associated ileal microbiota can paradoxically impair host glycemic control when transferred to germ-free mice. Here we present complementary evidence suggesting that this could be due to the heightened development of systemic endotoxemia. Consistently, application of ileal content from RYGB-treated compared with sham-operated rats onto Caco-2 cell monolayers compromised barrier function and decreased expression of the barrier-stabilizing proteins claudin-4 and desmoglein-2. Our findings raise the possibility that RYGB-associated ileal microbiota produce and release soluble metabolites which locally increase intestinal permeability to promote systemic endotoxemia-induced insulin resistance, with potential implications for the treatment of RYGB patients who eventually relapse onto type 2 diabetes.