Question

"A Bug against Obesity"

Eating too much and not doing exercise causes Obesity. When we consume more calories, in the form of sugars and fats, and not burn off these by doing exercise or physical activity, then this surplus energy will be stored as fat in our body. Obesity develops gradually overtime, the reason could be due to poor diet and lifestyle, lack of physical activity.

Role of Microbiome in Obesity:

Microbiome (probiotics) are important for health benefits and they have been used as therapeutic agent for metabolic disorders. Probiotics are a group of beneficial microbes that confers health benefits when consumed in an adequate amount. Genetic makeup in the host cell is also one of the factors of metabolic disorders and diseases. The composition of gut microbiota (GM) and its function can be altered by consumption of improper diet, which affects the health status of the host, resulting to obesity. Gut microbiota (GM) is required for energy balancing, intestinal integrity, and immunity against invading pathogens.So, GM can be positively altered by probiotic supplementation, thereby treating illness of diarrhea, allergy, gastrointestinal disorders etc. The gut microbiota makes an important contribution to human metabolism by contributing enzymes that are not encoded by the human genome, for example, the breakdown of polysaccharides, polyphenols and synthesis of vitamins. Intestinal bacteria can also synthesize biotin, Vitamin B12, folic acid, and thiamine. Iron supplementation is boosted by the bacterial siderophore, enterobactin, which associates with host mitochondria when bound to Fe3+ ions. They also leave behind N, P, for the host.

Eg. Pediococcus pentosaceus and Saccharomyces boulardii.

The gut microbiota is the sum of all bacteria that are present in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract starting from the oral cavity and increasing in its density along the small and large intestine. The gut microbiome Firmicutes, have important protective, structural, and metabolic functions. It protects the host by displacing harmful bacteria, competing with pathogens for nutrients, and producing anti-microbial factors. Moreover, they help the host with structural functions like developing the immune system, inducing immunoglobulin A (IgA), and reinforcing the mucosal barrier. The commensal bacteria provide metabolic functions to benefit the host by synthesizing vitamin K, folate, and biotin. Also it helps in the absorption of magnesium, calcium, and iron ions. Degradation of dietary polysaccharides and fiber by Firmicutes produced SCFAs, eg.propionate, acetate, and butyrate. Acetate is used in peripheral tissues as a substrate for cholesterol while butyrate is a rich energy source for the epithelial cells that line the colon. Firmicutes resulting in increased fermented end products, including SCFAs. Firmicutes which produced SCFAs from non-digested dietary compounds has been made as a marker for obesity. The most abundant Gram-positive commensal bacteria present in the gut, has been linked with obesity.

*****Draw a diagram from this scenario please.

Answer 1

Mechanisms of immunomodulation by beneficial microbes. Probiotics can modulate the immune system in the intestine through the luminal conversion process. The bacteria produce secreted soluble factors and metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and vitamins using substrates from the diet. These bioactive compounds affect the function of intestinal epithelium and mucosal immune cells, resulting in production of cytokine and related factors such as a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) and B-cell activating factor (BAFF).