Composition of cultivable intestinal microbiota in patients suffering from obesity and type II diabetes

Obesity and the metabolic syndrome represent a real threat to human health. The rate of obesity has increased significantly worldwide. Excess body weight is one of the most important factors that contribute to the etiology of many diseases. Worldwide, nearly 1 billion adults and 10% of children are classified as overweight or obese. Their average life span is reduced and the main consequences are cardiovascular diseases and type II diabetes. Recently other causes of obesity were recognized; in this regard the intestinal microbiota is a new accepted factor. The colonic microbiota is diversified and very complex, composed from a wide range of microorganisms, usually in symbiosis with the host. The microbiota could be regarded as a metabolic organ that can break down indigestible food components, degrade potentially toxic compounds, and synthesize certain vitamins and amino acids. Other physiological functions include preventing the proliferation of pathogens and the boosting of the local immunity, production of essential nutrients to maintain the energy balance and adjusting the energy storage. Sometimes this balance is lost and a state of dysbiosis occurs. A dysbiosis of the microbiota can lead to host metabolic imbalances, as metabolic syndrome for example. The purpose of this study was to evaluate plasma levels of hepatic transaminase, lipase, cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, ESR, the C-reactive protein and fibrinogen in relation to the composition of the gut microbiota in obese people with diabetes and dyslipidemia.