The association between gut microbiota and resting metabolic rate in overweight/obese women: a case

PURPOSE: When examining the underlying processes of obesity, evaluation of gut
flora and energy homeostasis can be crucial since disruption of the normal gut
microbiota community and energy imbalances are significant factors in the
development of obesity. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the relative
abundance of important obesity modulator gut microbiota (including Firmicutes,
Bacteroidetes, Bifidobactrium spp., Lactobacillus spp., Bacteroides fragilis,
Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Akkermansia muciniphila, and Escherichia coli) in
fecal samples of normometabilic and hypometabolic overweight/obese individuals.
METHODS: This matched case-control study conducted on 36 healthy women aged
18-50 years old. An indirect calorimeter and impedance body analyzer were used
to assess resting metabolic rate (RMR) and body composition, respectively.
Dietary intake and physical activity were assessed using questionnaires. To
determine the abundance of the abovementioned gut microbiota, quantitative
polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method was performed. Moreover, ELISA kits were
used to assess leptin, ghrelin, and insulin hormones.
RESULTS: The results highlighted higher load of Firmicutes (p = 0.02), F.
prausnitzii (p < 0.001), and B. fragilis (p = 0.02) in the normometabolic individuals compared to the hypometabolic ones. Besides, the positive correlation between the abundance of Firmicutes (β = 7.76 × 10-1, p = 0.01), F. prausnitzii (β = 1.29 × 10-5, p = 0.01), and B. fragilis (β = 4.13 × 10-6, p = 0.04) with the RMR have been shown. Whereas the abundance of Bacteroidetes, A. muciniphila, Lactobacillus spp., Bifidobactrium spp., and E. coli showed no significant difference (p > 0.05) and no significant correlation with the RMR
except Lactobacillus spp. (β = 1.73 × 10-4, p = 0.01).
CONCLUSION: It seems that gut microbiota can be a potential target for refining
host energy homeostasis and treating obesity and its consequences.

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DOI: 10.1007/s40200-023-01368-1
PMCID: PMC11196539
PMID: 38932806

Conflict of interest statement: Competing interestsThe authors declare that they
have no competing interests.