The gut microbiota suppresses insulin-mediated fat accumulation via the short-chain fatty acid receptor GPR43.

ABSTRACT: The gut microbiota affects nutrient acquisition and energy regulation of the host, and can influence the development of obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes. During feeding, gut microbes produce short-chain fatty acids, which are important energy sources for the host. Here we show that the short-chain fatty acid receptor GPR43 links the metabolic activity of the gut microbiota with host body energy homoeostasis. We demonstrate that GPR43-deficient mice are obese on a normal diet, whereas mice overexpressing GPR43 specifically in adipose tissue remain lean even when fed a high-fat diet. Raised under germ-free conditions or after treatment with antibiotics, both types of mice have a normal phenotype. We further show that short-chain fatty acid-mediated activation of GPR43 suppresses ins

SUBMITTER: Kimura I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3674247 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature