The microbial epigenome in metabolic syndrome

Mol Aspects Med. 2017 Apr:54:71-77. doi: 10.1016/j.mam.2016.09.003. Epub 2016 Sep 23.

Abstract

Dietary habits, lifestyle, medication, and food additives affect the composition and functions of the GI microbiota. Metabolic syndrome is already known to be associated with an aberrant gut microbiota affecting systemic low-grade inflammation, which is also outlined by differing epigenetic patterns. Thus, structural changes and compositional evaluation of gut microbial differences affecting epigenetic patterns in metabolic syndrome are of research interest. In the present review we focus on the disparities in the gut microbiota composition of metabolic syndrome and the resulting aberrant profile of bioactive microbial metabolites known to affect epigenetic modifications such as G-protein coupled receptors and inflammatory pathways.

Keywords: DNA methylation; Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio; Obesity; SCFAs.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Epigenesis, Genetic*
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Metabolic Syndrome / genetics*
  • Metabolic Syndrome / microbiology*
  • Metabolome
  • Models, Biological
  • Toll-Like Receptors / metabolism

Substances

  • Toll-Like Receptors