Akkermansia and Bacteroides Abundance, Significance, and Therapeutic Potential in Obesity and Associated Metabolic Dysfunction by Systematic Review of Clinical and Sequencing Data
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Systematic Review
Abstract: Background Gut microbiome dysbiosis is critical for host metabolic health and is closely linked to obesity and metabolic dysfunctions. The genera Akkermansia and Bacteroides have gained significant attention for their roles in affecting host metabolism and energy storage, particularly in preventing or reducing obesity. Obesity affects roughly 30% of people worldwide, and global adult overweight/obesity prevalence is forecasted to rise substantially by 2050 (e.g., reaching 57.4% for men and 60.3% for women). Pakistan ranks ninth globally in terms of obesity, with major urban surveys indicating one in four adults suffer from obesity or overweight. Method The systematic review was conducted in compliance with PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) standards. A multichannel search of peer-reviewed studies published between 2009 and 2025 was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, institutional websites, and manual citation chasing. The initial search yielded 146 candidate records, which were filtered down after removing duplicates (13 records) and screening for clinical relevance. Following rigorous multi-stage screening and full-text eligibility assessments, a final total of 35 studies, including a core subset of 12 high-impact primary research papers, were synthesized. Result Systematic synthesis across global and regional populations reveals that the depletion of Akkermansia muciniphila is a universal hallmark indicator of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Landmark clinical trials demonstrate that live and pasteurized Akkermansia are safe for humans, decrease cholesterol, improve insulin sensitivity, reinforce gut barrier integrity, and increase muscle strength. Bacteroides exhibit a complex, strain-dependent dual role: while some species promote calorie extraction and energy harvest, others correlate with leanness and metabolic benefits. Secondary taxa such as Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Bifidobacterium breve contribute to metabolic improvements by producing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like butyrate, which enhance glucose homeostasis and reduce inflammation. Conclusion Gut microbiota, specifically Akkermansia and Bacteroides, function as key regulators of host metabolic health. A substantial depletion of Akkermansia serves as a universal microbial signature for obesity and related metabolic dysfunction. Next-generation probiotics (NGPs), particularly safe and stable pasteurized versions, offer a scalable and powerful way to treat "leaky gut" syndrome, systemic inflammation, and insulin resistance. Future efforts will require large-scale, long-term human trials in South Asian and diverse populations to validate these microbial markers against regional genetic and dietary backgrounds.
Institution: University of the Punjab
Language: English
Topic: Gut microbiota and health
Subfield: Molecular Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7127094556
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