New Insights into Gut Microbes and Metabolic Diseases

A recent study published in the journal “Cell Metabolism” highlights a new role for gut microbes in causing metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease. This discovery could pave the way for developing innovative treatments targeting these microbes before they negatively impact the body.

Gut Microbes and Their Impact on Metabolism

The study, conducted by research teams from McMaster, Laval, and Ottawa Universities, revealed that a molecule produced by gut microbes can enter the bloodstream and stimulate the liver to produce more glucose and fats. This excess production may lead to imbalances in blood sugar levels and fat accumulation in the liver.

What distinguishes this discovery is that researchers developed a method to trap this molecule in the gut before it enters the body, resulting in significant improvements in blood sugar control and reduction of fatty liver disease in obese mice.

Deeper Understanding of the Metabolic Cycle

This discovery represents a new development in understanding the classical metabolic cycle known for nearly a century. The cycle, known as the Cori cycle, discovered by Carl Ferdinand Cori and Gerty Theresa Cori, explains how the body exchanges fuel between muscles and the liver.

Researchers discovered a new branch of this cycle, where gut bacteria play a pivotal role in the process. The new molecule, D-lactate, primarily originates from gut microbes and has a more pronounced effect on sugar and fat levels in the liver compared to the known molecule L-lactate.

Therapeutic Challenges and Innovations

To stop the effect of D-lactate, researchers developed an “intestinal substrate trap,” a safe and biodegradable polymer that binds D-lactate in the gut and prevents its absorption. This technique has shown great effectiveness in reducing blood sugar levels and decreasing insulin resistance and liver inflammation without the need to change diet or weight.

This new approach to treating metabolic diseases represents a paradigm shift, focusing on intercepting the microbial fuel source before it causes harm, rather than directly targeting hormones or the liver.

Conclusion

This study highlights the importance of the microbiome in chronic diseases and opens the door to new treatment directions. Thanks to funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health, this research could significantly impact the development of future treatments for diseases like type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease. Our growing understanding of the role of microbes in public health enhances the potential for developing effective strategies to combat these diseases.