Linking gut microbiota, metabolic syndrome and metabolic health among a sample of obese Egyptian females

BACKGROUND: Studies of the gut microbiota have revealed a great link to obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS). AIM: The aim of this study was to review the dysbiosis of gut microbiota in terms of the components of MetS among a sample of obese Egyptian female patients and to assess current potential gut microbiota targeted therapies for the treatment of MetS. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study is a cross-sectional study included 82 obese Egyptian women. All participants were subjected to anthropometric assessment; and laboratory evaluation of fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin, C-reactive protein (CRP), lipid profile, and insulin resistance homeostasis model assessment (HOMA), in addition to fecal microbiota analysis for Lactobacillus, Bifidobacteria, Firmicutes and Bacteroid. RESULTS: Among obese group with MetS, Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio was negatively associated with HOMA and positively associated with serum cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), while Lactobacillus was negatively associated with serum cholesterol. Among obese group without MetS, (F/B) ratio is negatively associated with Waist circumference (central obesity marker) and positively associated with CRP (inflammatory marker), while Lactobacillus was positively correlated with FBS and HOMA, and Bifidobacteria was negatively associated with serum cholesterol and LDL. CONCLUSION: The two beneficial types the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria supplementation in the form of probiotic with therapeutic treatment and decreasing of WC have their important role in controlling and treating hypertension, serum cholesterol and LDL levels, among obese females even with MetS.