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Microbes & Immunity Management of obesity

a patient’s gastrointestinal tract, with the aim of restoring medications, including antibiotics, still require further
gut microbiota and treating related disorders. Unlike investigation. The role of different species of gut microbial
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probiotics, FMT provides recipients with a complete species also warrants greater focus in future microbiological
community of gut microbiota and its metabolites from research. Various studies have revealed that metabolic
healthy donors, rendering it a potentially more effective activities of gut microbiota facilitate the extraction of
123
therapeutic intervention. The remarkable efficacy of FMT energy (calories) from ingested dietary food and aid in
in treating Clostridium difficile infections suggests that it is storing this energy for later usage by the host. By leveraging
becoming a promising therapeutic option for other conditions gut microbiota modulation, novel treatments can pave
linked to gut dysbiosis, including persistent irritable bowel the way for sustainable obesity management, providing
syndrome, constipation, and ulcerative colitis. A pilot effective alternatives to conventional weight-loss strategies.
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human study demonstrated a substantial improvement in Advancing research on microbiome-targeted therapies
peripheral insulin sensitivity among nine obese individuals will be essential for optimizing clinical applications and
with metabolic syndrome following the transplantation of ensuring that interventions are tailored to individual
fecal microbiota from lean donors. Nevertheless, in several microbiota profiles for improved health outcomes.
recent randomized clinical trials, FMT did not demonstrate
significant effects on metabolic profiles and weight Acknowledgments
reduction. There are also risks associated with FMTs, as The authors are thankful to the Vice Chancellor, Maj.
125
viral pathogens cannot be eliminated through filtration. Gen. Dr. G.K. Thapaliyal, Swami Vivekanand Subharti
Therefore, FMT should be utilized only as a last resort for University, Meerut, for his valuable suggestions during the
conditions, such as recurrent C. difficile infection (Figure 4). finalization of this paper.
Furthermore, FMTs may have detrimental impacts in the
context of obesity. A recent case report described a patient Funding
who underwent a successful FMT for C. difficile infection but
subsequently developed new-onset obesity after receiving None.
stool from an overweight donor. 126 Conflict of interest
15. Conclusion The authors declare that they have no competing interest.

In conclusion, the gut microbiome plays a pivotal role in Author contributions
obesity development and associated metabolic disorders
by influencing energy metabolism, immune responses, Conceptualization: Amar P. Garg
inflammation, and nutrient absorption. The intricate Visualization: Rashmi Goley, Anchal Bamal
relationship between diet, antibiotic exposure, and Writing – original draft: All authors
microbiota composition demonstrates how external Writing – review & editing: Amar P. Garg
factors shape gut health, potentially leading to obesity
when dysbiosis occurs. Understanding the mechanisms by Ethics approval and consent to participate
which gut microbiota impacts obesity, including microbial Not applicable.
metabolites and immune modulation, offers valuable
insights into prevention and treatment strategies. Dietary Consent for publication
interventions, particularly plant-based diets, contribute Not applicable.
to greater microbial diversity, fostering a healthier gut
environment. Moreover, strategies, such as probiotic, Availability of data
prebiotic, and synbiotic supplementation, as well as fecal
microbiota transplantation, have emerged as promising Not applicable.
therapeutic approaches for restoring microbial balance, Further disclosure
improving metabolic function, and preventing obesity-
related complications. However, the effects of microbiota Part of this paper was presented as a keynote address at the
treatments may vary from person to person, over time, International Conference on Pediatrics and Child Health
and depending on factors, such as diet, concurrent in Dubai, UAE, on May 15–16, 2025.
medical treatments, and coexisting diseases. The complex
interactions between the native gut microbiota, the References
quality and quantity of transplanted microbiota, the gut 1. NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC). Trends
environment, host genetics, and interactions with various in adult body-mass index in 200 countries from 1975

Volume 2 Issue 4 (2025) 54 doi: 10.36922/MI025160036