Researchers further understanding of how gut bacteria regulate weight gain

Researchers at the Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre in University College Cork have discovered how gut bacteria communicate with their host to specifically regulate weight gain and serum cholesterol levels.    The research, funded by Science Foundation Ireland, has implications for the rational selection and design of probiotics for the control of obesity, high cholesterol and diabetes. 

The findings are published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The team led by Dr. Cormac Gahan and Dr. Susan Joyce has analysed a bacterial protein that modifies (a major component of bile secretions) in the gut. This protein, bile salt hydrolase, is commonly made by and functions to change the chemical properties of bile acids in the gut. The research team has shown that specifically increasing levels of this protein reduces serum cholesterol levels and weight gain in mice. The group are currently exploring the relevance of these findings to humans.

"Recent work by other groups has shown that bile acids act as signalling molecules in the host, almost like a hormonal network, with an ability to influence host metabolism. What we have done is to show that a specific mechanism exists by which bacteria in the can influence this process with significant consequences for the host,"  commented  Dr Gahan.

Dr Joyce added "the findings may be used as a basis for the future selection of probiotics or dietary interventions which target this mechanism to regulate or .  We now have the potential for matching probiotic strains with specific end-user needs. Work is underway to determine how this system operates in humans."

More information: Susan A. Joyce, John MacSharry, Patrick G. Casey, Michael Kinsella, Eileen F. Murphy, Fergus Shanahan, Colin Hill, and Cormac G. M. Gahan. "Regulation of host weight gain and lipid metabolism by bacterial bile acid modification in the gut." PNAS 2014 ; published ahead of print May 5, 2014,. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1323599111

Provided by Science Foundation Ireland
Citation: Researchers further understanding of how gut bacteria regulate weight gain (2014, May 15) retrieved 29 March 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2014-05-gut-bacteria-weight-gain.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

New discoveries linking gut bacteria with cholesterol metabolism give hope for the future

 shares

Feedback to editors