Page 28 - EJMO-9-2

Eurasian Journal of
Medicine and Oncology Gut microbiome effects on obesity

including polyphenols. One of their main roles is to to a decrease in fat-free mass (0.8 kg). However, fat mass
prevent the digestion fats and carbohydrates from food. remained unchanged. The mechanisms underlying
65
This is due to their ability to block some digestive enzymes this association remain unclear and require further
responsible for breaking down nutrients, such as pancreatic clarification.
lipase, which helps digest fats, and amylases, which break New medications have recently emerged to treat obesity
down carbohydrates into sugars that the body can absorb. 55
and promote weight loss. Semaglutide and tirzepatide are
During Ramadan, dietary habits and fasting programs two well-known drugs currently used to treat obesity.
change. Ramadan intermittent fasting (RIF) affects gut Semaglutide, a GLP‐1 analog, imitates the effects of native
hormones, including leptin, and ghrelin, GLP-1. RIF has GLP‐1, improving glycemic control and promoting weight
proven to be an effective strategy to modulate appetite- loss by decreasing caloric intake, reducing hunger, and
regulating hormones, resulting in improved body increasing satiety and satiation. In patients suffering
66
composition indices and a reduction in obesity. 56 from obesity-related heart failure with preserved ejection
Certain bioactive compounds, including curcumin and fraction and T2D, semaglutide resulted in greater declines
zinc, have shown promising effects in obesity management. in heart failure symptoms and significant weight loss
67
Curcumin has demonstrated strong anti-inflammatory than the placebo after 1 year. Another study found that
effects related to obesity. An umbrella review indicated participants receiving 2.4 mg of semaglutide per week
57
that curcumin intake could reduce WC, BMI, and BW. experienced an average BW reduction of 15.3 kg. 68
Moreover, the intake of curcumin, curcuminoids, or Similarly, the effects of tirzepatide have been
turmeric has demonstrated notable anti-inflammatory investigated. A recent systematic review and meta-
properties. Individuals consuming different amounts of analysis of randomized controlled trials discovered the
these three compounds exhibited reductions in C-reactive positive effect of tirzepatide. The weekly treatment with
protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and tirzepatide resulted in significant increase in BW and lower
interleukin (IL)-6. Furthermore, zinc and resveratrol hemoglobin A1C levels, without a significant increase in
58
have shown promising potential in modulating leptin serious or life-threatening adverse events. 69
levels and glucose signaling, which may have beneficial
effects on energy regulation in obese individuals and Colchicine is another pharmaceutical drug known
cardiovascular health. However, a longer exposure time is to reduce inflammation in multiple diseases. It has the
suggested to be necessary to fully assess their impact on ability to reduce inflammatory markers, including CRP,
energy homeostasis. 59 glycoprotein acetylation, and certain inflammatory
cytokine serum concentrations. 70-72 In the context of
Obesity is one of the major metabolic syndromes obesity, colchicine has shown a considerable effect on
(MetSyn). Significant weight loss is considered the leukocyte populations implicated in both innate and
7
primary and only curative treatment to address MetSyn, adaptive immune responses. 73
as it can influence many of its components. In addition to
high-dose GPL-1RAs, new medical treatment options are To enhance nutrition and public health, more than
being developed to manage MetSyn. These include dual 45 countries have imposed taxes on sugar-sweetened
or triple hormonal agonists targeting the GLP-1, glucose- beverages. In several nations, these taxes have been related
74
dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), and glucagon to higher pricing and reduced sales and consumption of
receptors. GLP-1 plays a role in controlling blood sugar taxed beverages. A significant decrease in the purchase
75
and appetite, while GIP works alongside GLP-1 to enhance of these beverages and obesity rates has been observed
insulin sensitivity, and glucagon helps regulate blood sugar in middle- and upper-middle-income countries. These
levels. 60,61 In addition, leptin, a key hormone in appetite findings confirm that imposing high taxes on SBBs could
regulation, plays an essential role in regulating appetite be an effective solution to combat obesity and related
and energy balance, which can influence BW and obesity. 62 health risks. 76

In this regard, researchers have investigated the effects 3. GM
of various medications on weight loss. Levothyroxine, a
medication used as a substitute for thyroid hormones, is The GM consists of a community of microorganisms,
63
administered to restore hormonal balance. Results have including viruses, bacteria, archaea, and fungi, residing
64
shown that after 6 months of levothyroxine treatment within the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), with bacteria
in individuals with hypothyroidism, resting energy reign over this niche. 77,78 Most of these microorganisms
expenditure increased, which suggests that bodies are predominantly inhabit the large intestine. 79,80 The most
burning more calories. This resulted in weight loss due dominant and prevalent bacterial phyla within the gut

Volume 9 Issue 2 (2025) 20 doi: 10.36922/ejmo.8318