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©2014 Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Nov 21, 2014; 20(43): 16079-16094
Published online Nov 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i43.16079
Published online Nov 21, 2014. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i43.16079
Gut microbiota and metabolic syndrome
Davide Festi, Ramona Schiumerini, Leonardo Henry Eusebi, Giovanni Marasco, Martina Taddia, Antonio Colecchia, Department of Digestive Diseases and Internal Medicine, University of Bologna, S Orsola Hospital, 40138 Bologna, Italy
Author contributions: Schiumerini R, Marasco G and Taddia M contributed to the review of the literature and initial draft of manuscript; Festi D, Eusebi LH and Colecchia A contributed to revising and final approval of the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Davide Festi, Professor, Department of Digestive Diseases and Internal Medicine, University of Bologna, S Orsola Hospital, Via Massarenti 9, 40138 Bologna, Italy. davide.festi@unibo.it
Telephone: +39-33-6552747 Fax: +39-51-6364123
Received: May 21, 2014
Revised: June 20, 2014
Accepted: July 16, 2014
Published online: November 21, 2014
Revised: June 20, 2014
Accepted: July 16, 2014
Published online: November 21, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: The present review offers a summary of available studies exploring the pathogenic role of gut microbiota in the development of metabolic syndrome, subdividing experimental evidences coming from animal models and human subjects, since their results are not always comparable. The relative influences of dietary intake on gut microbial composition and functions are also explored, as well as the effects on intestinal microhabitat exerted by diet-induced weight loss and bariatric surgery. Finally a critical evaluation of the available evidences on probiotic and prebiotics is reported, delineating their potential clinical impact.