Gut Microbiome
Gut microbe molecule TMA may help curb inflammation and improve insulin control
Raportoinut AI AI:n luoma kuva Faktatarkistettu
An international team of researchers has identified trimethylamine (TMA), a gut microbe metabolite produced from dietary nutrients such as choline, as a compound that inhibits the immune-signalling protein IRAK4, dampening inflammation and improving insulin action in experimental models. The discovery, reported in Nature Metabolism, suggests a potential new way to counter some of the harmful metabolic effects of high-fat diets and opens avenues for future type 2 diabetes therapies, a disease affecting more than 500 million people worldwide.
A retired US Marine officer in Massachusetts, plagued by a gut that brewed its own alcohol, has seen his symptoms resolve after receiving faecal transplants from a healthy donor. The treatment targeted the rare auto-brewery syndrome, where gut microbes ferment sugars into intoxicating levels of alcohol. This case highlights potential new avenues for managing the condition triggered by antibiotic use.
Raportoinut AI
A long-term trial suggests that replacing sugar with low-calorie sweeteners can enhance beneficial gut microbes and help sustain weight loss. The study, involving over 300 overweight Europeans, found participants using sweeteners maintained greater weight reduction after 10 months. However, experts caution that the microbiome changes might stem from weight loss itself.