Changes in GLP-1 and GLP-2 levels in people with obesity after a diet-induced weight-loss intervention and association with specific microbiota signature

GLP-1 and GLP-2 (GLPs) are gastrointestinal hormones that are co-secreted in equimolar amounts from intestinal enteroendocrine cells in response to nutrients (particularly glucose and fatty acids) and have an important role in regulating host energy homeostasis. There is evidence that obesity changes the dynamics of GLPs – increasing their fasting levels but impairing their secretion after food ingestion. Gut dysbiosis has been proposed as a contributor to these alterations, but to our knowledge, no studies have been done to assess this. Using taxonomic profiling and functional analysis, we explored the association of GLP dynamics with specific metagenomic signatures in a prospective cohort of patients with obesity undertaking a weight-loss dietary intervention for 6 months (trial registration #ISRCTN12973246), in which effective weight loss (=10%) was achieved. This study offers new insights into host-microbiota interactions that will offer clues about metabolic diseases and how they are related to specific microbiota signatures