Unlocking the Secret to Preventing Obesity: Nurturing Unusual Gut Bacteria

The bacterial population residing in our big intestine forms an incredibly dense and intricate ecosystem. Although certain members of this group can lead to sickness and ailments (like specific types of bacteria and viruses), many others are beneficial and aid in maintaining our well-being.

Akkermansia muciniphila It is one of these beneficial bacteria.

Scientists have been aware for decades that A muciniphila is linked to optimal health. A key role it performs within our digestive system is sustaining the functionality of our gut barrier. This ensures harmful bacteria stay out while allowing us to effectively absorb essential nutrients from our food, which keeps our cellular functions running properly. However, when there's a disruption in this balance, A muciniphila In the intestines, this can result in various health issues.

This peculiar bacterium resides in our big intestine and thrives on mucin, which is the protective mucus coating lining the inner walls of the large intestine.

Mucin creates a slight yet crucial gap between human cells and the microbial community residing within the large intestine. When this protective mucous barrier is compromised, these microorganisms can make direct contact with human cells. Consequently, this interaction might trigger an inflammatory response from the human cells due to their reaction against the bacteria — which could ultimately contribute to conditions like inflammatory bowel disease.

Akkermansia muciniphila is extremely selective about food. Its sole energy source comes from glycoproteins found within mucin (a substance made up of proteins and carbohydrates). However, exactly how this bacterium derived energy from these glycoproteins remained unclear until now. My research alongside fellow scientists has revealed the mechanism behind this process. A muciniphila deploys a range of different enzymes that work together in order to unlock the sugar found in mucin.

By utilizing mucin derived from pigs, we examined the enzymatic activity on cell surfaces along with their genetic makeup to determine which enzymes played a role in degrading the glycoproteins within the mucin.

We discovered that A muciniphila utilizes 66 distinct enzymes to derive the crucial energy required from the glycoproteins for performing its vital functions. Our team is the first to document this mechanism.

Important for health

Studies looking at A muciniphila’s Interactions with the immune systems of mice have shown that it reduces inflammation and might prevent obesity and diabetes from developing.

Scientists have identified particular peptides (a kind of molecule) that it produces, which influence the immune system in this manner. Because of its benign character and soothing impact on the immune response, Akkermansia muciniphila has even been utilized to create probiotics.

Researchers have similarly discovered that individuals suffering from a metabolic disorder, like diabetes or fatty liver disease, possess reduced quantities of Akkermansia muciniphila In your larger intestine. The more streamlined and fit you are, the greater A muciniphila you have.

Although Akkermansia muciniphila eats only mucus; however, our diet can still influence it, albeit indirectly.

Colon-dwelling bacteria such as A muciniphila They utilize the carbohydrates extracted from fiber-abundant foods in our diet for energy. As a result, these microorganisms generate substances known as short-chain fatty acids. These compounds nourish the uppermost layer of human cells within the colon. Actually, 10 percent of our total energy derives from this process.

Akkermansia muciniphila Additionally, it aids other bacterial species within the microbiome by providing them with fragmented mucus for sustenance—a mechanism referred to as "cross-feeding." However, when dietary fiber intake is insufficient, mucins turn into a significantly more prominent food source.

This may result in the reduction of the large intestine’s protective mucus lining—disrupting the balanced environment within the gut microbiota. Consequently, this raises the likelihood of experiencing inflammatory disorders. Thus, even though Akkermansia muciniphila It is not a pathogen, but it can eliminate excessive mucus under improper conditions.

Our study provides the first comprehensive illustration of how this particular bacterial strain degrades mucus. Understanding this mechanism is crucial because it plays a vital role in the interactions among our microorganisms and between these microorganisms and ourselves. The enzymes we have detailed come into play here. Akkermansia muciniphila Can now also serve as methods to examine the variations in these intricate mucin structures across various bodily locations and among individuals.

As researchers delve deeper into Akkermansia muciniphila And as for the other microorganisms residing in the colon, the greater our appreciation grows regarding the significance of consuming a varied, fibre-rich diet.

Lucy Crouch serves as a Research Fellow within the Institute of Microbiology and Infection, part of the Department of Microbes, Infection and Microbiomes, which falls under the School of Infection, Inflammation and Immunology, located in the College of Medicine and Health at the University of Birmingham.

This article has been republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. You can read the original piece here. original article .

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