Figure 4 Bacterial growth dynamic-based model of appetite control Figure 4 | Bacterial growth dynamic-based model of appetite control. Hypothetical model linking bacterial growth phases with host-feeding cycles. During regular feeding schedules, the meal-induced exponential growth phase (Exp) of bacterial populations in the large intestine should be terminated after 20 min, a time usually associated with feeling full and with activation of satiety pathways. When the bacterial population size declines postprandially due to the natural lysis and elimination of bacteria, the feeling of satiety also declines resulting in a renewed feeling of hunger and the onset of the next meal. The inter-meal interval in regularly and spontaneously-fed healthy humans lasts ~5–6 h226. This time corresponds with the duration of the bacterial stationary phase (Stat) and the beginning of the decline phase accelerated by in viscera conditions. A new meal will reset the cycle of bacterial growth resulting in long-term maintenance of the gut bacterial population. Fetissov, S. O. (2016) Role of the gut microbiota in host appetite control: bacterial growth to animal feeding behaviour Nat. Rev. Endocrinol. doi:10.1038/nrendo.2016.150