Liver-Gut-Interaction: Role of Microbiome Transplantation in the Future Treatment of Metabolic Disease

Abstract

The association between shifts in gut microbiome composition and metabolic disorders is a well-recognized phenomenon. Clinical studies and experimental data suggest a causal relationship, making the gut microbiome an attractive therapeutic goal. Fecal microbiome transplantation (FMT) is a method to alter a person’s microbiome composition. Although this method allowed for the establishment of proof of concept for using microbiome modulation to treat metabolic disorders, the method is not yet ready for broad application. It is a resource-intensive method that also carries some procedural risks and whose effects are not always reproducible. This review summarizes the current knowledge on FMT to treat metabolic diseases and gives an outlook on open research questions. Further research is undoubtedly required to find applications that are less resource-intensive, such as oral encapsulated formulations, and have strong and predictable results. Furthermore, a clear commitment from all stakeholders is necessary to move forward in the direction of developing live microbial agents, next-generation probiotics, and targeted dietary interventions.

Nutritional Interventions with Bacillus coagulans Improved Glucose Metabolism and Hyperinsulinemia in Mice with Acute Intermittent Porphyria

“…Changes in gut microbiome composition in metabolic disorders are well documented [36,37]. However, it is difficult to establish whether dysbiosis is specifically associated…”

“…Changes in gut microbiome composition in metabolic disorders are well documented [36,37]. However, it is difficult to establish whether dysbiosis is specifically asso-ciated with a genetic defect or disease status, and more importantly, whether nutritional supplementation can improve disease.…”

“…Brown adipose tissue (BAT) activity has been associated with a loss of BW and improved muscle contractility, whereas its decline has been related to reduced insulin sensitivity, impaired glucose homeostasis, and T2DM development [36]. In order to investigate the role of metabolically active BAT, half of the mice (n = 3/group) were kept at room temperature (25 • C, RT), while the other half underwent cold exposure (4 • C) for 1 h before [ 18 F]FDG injection (n = 3/group).…”

Liver Diseases: Science, Fiction and the Foreseeable Future

“…However, FMT is presently approved for proof-ofconcept studies only and is not yet ready for a broad application. Against this background, Stadlbauer presents an overview of the current knowledge and describes the tasks ahead to be tackled for making FMT available to larger patient populations [31]. In this regard, methodological advances and standardization approaches, such as the one just published by Lederer and colleagues, will certainly be instrumental [32].…”

Comparative Analysis of Healthy Gut Microbiota in German and Korean Populations: Insights from Large-Scale Cohort Studies

“…The human gut microbiome consists of at least 2300 genera and 15,000-36,000 species of bacteria [1,2] and plays many critical roles, including educating the immune system [3], providing protection against pathogens [4], enabling energy biogenesis [5], and producing vitamins, enzymes, and other compounds not synthesized by human cells [5]. Furthermore, detailed knowledge could be used to develop new therapies and interventions to treat diseases that are linked to imbalances or disruptions in the gut microbiome, such as inflammatory bowel disease [6], obesity [7], and metabolic disorders [8].…”