Gut microbiota and obesity: Involvement of the adipose tissue

Obesity is a common and multi-factorial condition. During the last years, different research has been done to clarify the complex mechanisms that occur in this disease. The excessive increase of the adipose tissue depots is the first clear signal of an impaired metabolism. Moreover, the endocannabinoid system (eCB), inflammation regulatory factors and weight control - through the diet - are strictly connected with the obesity development. The gut microbiota has been proposed as one suitable candidate to explain the intricacy of this scenario. Nevertheless, the latest findings are characterized by several conflicting theories that do not allow us to define the precise role of the gut microbiota. This review, through a critical analysis of the relevant literature, underlines the possibility of considering the gut microbiota as a "joining link" between obesity and the adipose tissue. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.