Obesity, Early Life Gut Microbiota, and Antibiotics

Abstract

Obesity is a major public health problem that continues to be one of the leading risk factors for premature death. Early life is a critical period of time when the gut microbiota and host metabolism are developing in tandem and significantly contribute to long-term health outcomes. Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota, particularly in early life, can have detrimental effects on host health and increase the susceptibility of developing obesity later in life. Antibiotics are an essential lifesaving treatment; however, their use in early life may not be without risk. Antibiotics are a leading cause of intestinal dysbiosis, and early life administration is associated with obesity risk. The following review explores the relevant literature that simultaneously examines antibiotic-induced dysbiosis and obesity risk. Current evidence suggests that disruptions to the composition and maturation of the gut microbiota caused by antibiotic use in early life are a key mechanism linking the association between antibiotics and obesity. Without compromising clinical practice, increased consideration of the long-term adverse effects of antibiotic treatment on host health, particularly when used in early life is warranted. Novel adjunct interventions should be investigated (e.g., prebiotics) to help mitigate metabolic risk when antibiotic treatment is clinically necessary.

Effects and Mechanisms of Probiotics, Prebiotics, Synbiotics, and Postbiotics on Metabolic Diseases Targeting Gut Microbiota: A Narrative Review

“…Intestinal barrier function, also called intestinal integrity, was strongly influenced by gut microbiota [ 95 ]. The oral administration of probiotics like Bifidobacterium longum NK49 and Lactobacillus plantarum NK3 could improve obesity and osteoporosis in mice by completing intestinal barrier integrity and further modulating immune cells with reducing TNF-α expression [ 71 ].…”

Resveratrol Butyrate Esters Inhibit Obesity Caused by Perinatal Exposure to Bisphenol A in Female Offspring Rats

“…Numerous studies have confirmed that intestinal microbiota and obesity are closely associated with metabolic abnormalities in hosts [ 41 ]. For example, the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio, which is related to obesity, is lower in obese individuals than in normal individuals [ 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 ].…”

Levels of Predominant Intestinal Microorganisms in 1 Month-Old Full-Term Babies and Weight Gain during the First Year of Life

“…These studies underline the importance of the early life microbiota as a key driver for adequate infant development and later health. Moreover, recent evidence indicates that altering this early microbiota may also have long-lasting effects on body weight and weight gain in childhood and on the later risk of obesity during adulthood [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. Indeed, higher birth weight and rapid growth during early life have been linked to increased risk of overweight and obesity during childhood and adulthood [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ].…”