The Functions of the Gut Microbiota

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Regulation of Metabolism
The gut microbiota obtains its nutrients from various sources such as consumed dietary ingredients and host-derived requirements like epithelial cells and mucus. Microorganisms utilize these substrates to produce energy to modulate cellular processes, metabolism and growth. The gut encompasses pathways for carbohydrate, lipid and amino acid metabolism (6). Interestingly, the gut flora’s metabolic action is both adaptive and renewable. Through the synthesis of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), B vitamins and vitamin K, commensal bacteria mutualistically interact with intestinal epithelial cells to promote differentiation, proliferation and absorption from the bowel. Jointly, this metabolic mechanism preserves valuable energy and digestible substrates for the host, all while supplying energy and nutrients for growth (9). SCFAs (mainly acetate, butyrate and propionate) are the final products of the carbohydrate fermentation of dietary fibers, and exhibit many positive influences in countering metabolic and inflammatory disorders, for instance, obesity, diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease. This is accomplished via the activation of G-protein-coupled receptors and alteration of transcription factors (17, 18). The microbial assembly of SCFAs, TMA, acetaldehyde and inflammatory regulators control the metabolic fitness of the host through pathways that affect gut motility, immune function and satiety (19). An example of a lipid metabolic activity that relates the gut flora to dyslipidemia (excessive amount of lipids) is the hydrolysation of bile salts, which are steroid acids manufactured in the liver from cholesterol and secreted in bile to accelerate absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, along with the metabol...

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...ience, 336, 1262-1267.
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