Abstract

Obesity is a critical medical condition present in the twenty-first century. Multiple factors contribute to its aetiology. Among those factors, the gut microbiota contribution is larger. Changes in the composition of two main phyla (increased Firmicutes and decreased Bacteroidetes) impact on mechanisms such as lipid metabolism and inflammation. Obese individuals indicate higher Firmicutes: Bacteroidetes ratio than their lean counterparts. Daily intake of high-fat diet also alters the gut microbiota composition. Nevertheless, direct bacterial influence in these mechanisms is still indistinct. Therefore, further investigations are required, which will also help to improve therapeutic strategies than those being used nowadays to treat obesity.

Keywords: Gut microbiota; Obesity; Gastrointestinal tracts; Gut lumen; Hypertension