The gut microbiota comprise all the living organisms in our intestine. Microbiota has key roles in metabolic homeostasis, digestion and nutrient metabolism protection against pathogens or modulation of the immune system. Advances in techniques such as metagenomics or metabolomics have expanded our knowledge of the intestinal ecosystem. Beyond genetic, behavioral, or environmental factors, alterations of gut microbiota parameters such as composition, diversity, or metabolites including short-chain fatty acids, have shown to be associated with cardiovascular comorbidities. In this chapter, we described the role of the gut microbiota in obesity and type 2 diabetes pathophysiology, and the changes it undergoes during bariatric surgery, as well as explored the possibilities of modifying the microbiome to obtain potential clinical benefits.
Part of the book: Bariatric Surgery