The emerging role of the intestine in metabolic diseases

Abstract

The intestine is an important metabolic organ that has gained attention in recent years for the newly identified role that it plays in the pathophysiology of various metabolic diseases including obesity, insulin resistance and diabetes. Recent insights regarding the role of enteroendocrine hormones, such as GIP, GLP-1, and PYY in metabolic diseases, as well as the emerging role of the gut microbial community and gastric bypass bariatric surgeries in modulating metabolic function and dysfunction have sparked a wave of interest in understanding the mechanisms involved, in an effort to identify new therapeutics and novel regulators of metabolism. This review summarizes the current evidence that the gastrointestinal tract has a key role in the development of obesity, inflammation, insulin resistance and diabetes and discusses the possible players that can be targeted for therapeutic intervention.

Keywords::

• type 2 diabetes
• incretins
• bariatric surgery
• microbiota
• gut hormones

Acknowledgements

The authors want to thank the Metabolic and Vascular Diseases Department at Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. and Dr. Francesco Rubino’s team at Weill-Cornell Medical College for their dedication and valuable discussions.

Declaration of interest

WDB, CZ, and CMR are employees of Hoffmann-La Roche Inc.