Our gut is home to trillions of microbes that work with our bodies to maintain health. A recent study explored how these microbes team up with the host body to regulate bile acids, essential molecules involved in digestion, cholesterol levels, and fat metabolism. Researchers found that gut bacteria can modify bile acids to activate signaling molecules, which control cholesterol metabolism.
However, this microbial influence on metabolism is balanced by the body’s own mechanisms. Scientists have identified a clever trick used by the body to counteract the microbial effects. In the intestines, the body modifies bacterial bile acids into new derivatives called BA-MCYs, which act as FXR antagonists, essentially flipping the “off switch” on cholesterol metabolism.
The study, published in Nature, suggests that boosting these BA-MCY levels can help reduce fat accumulation in the liver, providing a potential treatment for conditions like fatty liver disease or high cholesterol. Dietary interventions, such as increasing fiber intake, also enhance BA-MCY production, hinting at the role of diet in managing this system.
The discovery highlights the complex interplay between our bodies and gut bacteria, demonstrating how they work together to regulate metabolic homeostasis. Further research is needed to understand how diet and lifestyle influence BA-MCY levels and whether these compounds can help manage diseases like diabetes or metabolic syndrome.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2025-01-gut-bacteria-chemical-war-body.html