Deciphering the role of adipose tissue microbial DNA in obesity-related metabolic dysfunction
Authors' conclusion
Clinical obesity is characterized by distinct gut microbiota signatures, impaired intestinal barrier function, and increased adipose-associated microbial DNA. Adipose tissue-derived DNA promoted adipocyte dysfunction in vitro, supporting a potential role for the gut-adipose tissue microbial axis in obesity-related metabolic complications.
Study context
- Population
- Adults with severe obesity undergoing laparoscopic RYGB, stratified by metabolic phenotype; academic tertiary referral center, Lisbon, Portugal
- Participants
- 50 adults
- Exposure
- Clinical obesity vs pre-clinical obesity
- Outcome
- Gut microbiota composition, intestinal barrier markers, adipose tissue-associated microbial DNA profiles, and adipocyte functional responses to adipose tissue-derived microbial DNA
Methodological detailsexploratory, complementary mechanistic in vitro experiments, single-centre
- Exploratory
- Complementary mechanistic in vitro experiments
- Single-centre
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Clinical obesity associated with higher protein intake, impaired gut barrier function and enrichment of hydrogen sulfide-producing genera (Bilophila, Desulfovibrio)
- Pre-clinical obesity showed higher Akkermansia and Bifidobacterium
- Adipose tissue from clinical obesity contained more microbial DNA, with reduced diversity and partial overlap with gut profiles
- In adipocytes, adipose-derived microbial DNA from clinical vs pre-clinical obesity induced increased oxidative stress, IL-1β and NFκB expression, and a lower adiponectin/leptin gene expression ratio
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Original publication
Deciphering the role of adipose tissue microbial DNA in obesity-related metabolic dysfunction. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. Published 24 June 2026. doi:10.
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