Depletion of <i>Blautia</i> Species in the Microbiota of Obese Children Relates to Intestinal Inflammation and Metabolic Phenotype Worsening
Alfonso Benítez‐Páez, Eva M. Gómez del Pugar, Inmaculada López‐Almela, Ángela Moya-Pérez, Pilar Codoñer‐Franch, Yolanda Sanz
Abstract
Child obesity constitutes a risk factor for developing insulin resistance which, if sustained, could lead to more severe conditions like type 2 diabetes (T2D) in adulthood. Our study identified previously unknown species whose depletion ( Blautia luti and Blautia wexlerae ) is associated with insulin resistance in obese individuals. Our results also indicate that these bacterial species might help to reduce inflammation causally linked to obesity-related complications. Childhood is considered a window of opportunity to tackle obesity. These new findings provide, therefore, valuable information for the future design of microbiota-based strategies for the early prevention of obesity-related complications.