Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine and the Boyce Thompson Institute have discovered a new mechanism by which beneficial gut microbes regulate fat metabolism using a molecule called bile acid-methylcysteamine (BA-MCY). This finding could lead to new treatments for metabolic diseases, such as fatty liver disease, high cholesterol, and obesity. The study reveals that when gut bacteria produce excess bile acids, the body responds by producing BA-MCY, which inhibits the production of more bile acid and promotes fat metabolism.
The researchers found that beneficial gut microbes work in tandem with the human body to fine-tune fat metabolism and cholesterol levels. This collaboration involves the production of bioactive molecules, including bile acids, which are produced in the liver and delivered to the intestine where they facilitate food breakdown and nutrient absorption. The study identified a specific molecule, BA-MCY, that is produced by intestinal cells and has the opposite effect of the bile acids it modifies.
The discovery emphasizes the importance of diet in health and suggests potential therapeutic targets for metabolic disorders. Boosting dietary fiber intake was found to enhance BA-MCY production, which could help reduce fat accumulation in the liver and improve cholesterol metabolism. The researchers also detected BA-MCYs in human blood samples, indicating that this mechanism may occur in people.
The study’s findings have significant implications for understanding the role of the gut microbiota in various diseases, including obesity, cancer, and chronic inflammation. Further research is needed to learn more about how this process is regulated and studying microbe-gut crosstalk in different disease states.
Source: https://scitechdaily.com/scientists-discover-new-molecule-that-boosts-fat-metabolism-naturally