Editorial
Open Access
Gut Microbiota-Induced 5-HT Synthesis and Obesity
Katsunori Nonogaki*
Department of Diabetes Technology, Tohoku University of Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering
*Corresponding author: Katsunori Nonogaki, Department of Diabetes Technology, Tohoku University of Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering,
6-6-11 Aramakiaza, Aoba, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8579, Japan, Tel: +81-22-795-3865; Fax: +81-22-795-3865; E-mail:
@ , @
Received: December 09, 2015; Accepted: December 15, 2015; Published: December 19, 2015
Editorial Top
Although the role of gut microbiota in type 2 diabetes and the
therapeutic effects of metformin have recently been reported [1-
3], the intestinal microbiota composition may be also influenced
by obesity. Microbiota depletion by antibiotic treatment
promotes browning of white adipose tissue and improves insulin
sensitivity in obese animals such as ob/ob mice and diet-induced
obesity [4]. Such metabolic improvements are mediated by
eosinophil infiltration, enriched type 2 cytokine signaling and M2
macrophage polarization in the subcutaneous white fat depots
[4]. Microbiota composition may therefore influence insulin
sensitivity.
Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is mainly synthesized, stored, and released from enterochromaffin cells within mucosal epithelia of the gut [5]. Gut microbes regulate 5-HT levels in the colon and blood. Spore-forming bacteria (Sp) from the mouse and human microbiota promote 5-HT biosynthesis from colonic enterochromaffin cells [5]. Peripheral 5-HT synthesis is specifically regulated via tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (Tph1). Tph1-deficient mice fed a high-fat diet are protected from obesity, insulin resistance and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease while exhibiting greater energy expenditure by brown adipose tissue [6]. Tph1-deficient mice and microbiota depletion may have similar effects on obesity and energy homeostasis. Thus, the regulation of gut microbiota and 5-HT systems may be a novel therapeutic target for obesity and insulin resistance.
Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is mainly synthesized, stored, and released from enterochromaffin cells within mucosal epithelia of the gut [5]. Gut microbes regulate 5-HT levels in the colon and blood. Spore-forming bacteria (Sp) from the mouse and human microbiota promote 5-HT biosynthesis from colonic enterochromaffin cells [5]. Peripheral 5-HT synthesis is specifically regulated via tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (Tph1). Tph1-deficient mice fed a high-fat diet are protected from obesity, insulin resistance and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease while exhibiting greater energy expenditure by brown adipose tissue [6]. Tph1-deficient mice and microbiota depletion may have similar effects on obesity and energy homeostasis. Thus, the regulation of gut microbiota and 5-HT systems may be a novel therapeutic target for obesity and insulin resistance.
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