The gut microbiome of individuals with obesity and type 2 diabetes lacks the commensal bacteria Blautia wexlerae
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Reviewed by Dat Tien Nguyen, B.A, ScM.
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Posted on August 22th, 2022
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Our large intestine contains a collection of commensal bacteria. The interaction between these bacteria and the metabolites they produce has a tremendous impact on our health. A recent study published in Nature found that there is a potential association between the abundance of the commensal bacteria Blautia wexlerae and disorders like obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Using a cross-sectional study design, the researchers found that the gut microbiome of those who are obese (BMI > 25 kg/m2 ) and have type 2 diabetes has a low abundance of of Blautia wexlerae. This association is driven neither by sex, age, nor medication usage such as metformin. Subsequent tests on mice found that oral supplementation of Blautia wexlerae prevents fat accumulation, and it helps with weight reduction in mice that are on a high-fat diet. In terms of obesity-induced diabetes, Blautia wexlerae helps reduce fasting blood glucose, boost insulin production after intraperitoneal glucose tolerance testing, and ameliorate inflammation of the epididymal adipose tissue by inhibit the accumulation of pro-inflammatory M1-like macrophages.
Blautia wexlerae produces 3 metabolites that have been documented for their anti-diabetic effect in prior studies:
Using a cross-sectional study design, the researchers found that the gut microbiome of those who are obese (BMI > 25 kg/m2 ) and have type 2 diabetes has a low abundance of of Blautia wexlerae. This association is driven neither by sex, age, nor medication usage such as metformin. Subsequent tests on mice found that oral supplementation of Blautia wexlerae prevents fat accumulation, and it helps with weight reduction in mice that are on a high-fat diet. In terms of obesity-induced diabetes, Blautia wexlerae helps reduce fasting blood glucose, boost insulin production after intraperitoneal glucose tolerance testing, and ameliorate inflammation of the epididymal adipose tissue by inhibit the accumulation of pro-inflammatory M1-like macrophages.
Blautia wexlerae produces 3 metabolites that have been documented for their anti-diabetic effect in prior studies:
- Acetylcholine: binds to alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor expressed on adipose tissue to induce an anti-inflammatory effect.
- L-ornithine: modulates host lipid metabolism
- S-adenosylmethionine: acts as a methyl donor for biologic methylation and helps to prevent diabetes, obesity, and inflammation