Diet, microbes and metabolism: implications for metabolic disorders

Growing evidence suggests that the secret to understanding human health and combatting metabolic disease lies in the microscopic world of our gut bacteria.

Recent research by scientists at the Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI) and Cornell University reveals that a specific fatty acid produced by gut bacteria directly influences fat metabolism in animals. This research is crucial because it sheds light on the complex interplay between diet, gut microbiota, and host metabolic health, providing insights that could open new avenues in our approach to managing metabolic disorders.

The researchers focused on certain gut bacteria that produce fatty acids with a special chemical structure known as a cyclopropane ring and showed that these can be converted into signals that trigger fat desaturation in the C nematode. elegans, a model organism often used to study humans. biology. Interestingly, C. elegans itself produces a chemically similar fatty acid compound that regulates the same metabolic pathway as the bacterial cyclopropane fats.

“Our research suggests that the host organism may have acquired the ability to produce its own signaling molecule, mimicking bacterial biochemistry, through a gene obtained from bacteria, a process known as horizontal gene transfer ” shared Bennett Fox, postdoctoral researcher at BTI and first author of the study.

The research, recently published in Natural communications, showed that bacterial and endogenous fatty acids activate a host receptor that functions as a central regulator of overall fat metabolism. This direct link between microbiota metabolites and host lipid metabolism offers insight into how our bodies might harness beneficial gut bacteria to regulate vital processes like obesity and metabolic dysfunction.

“Microbiota-dependent metabolites regulate virtually every aspect of animal physiology, including development, metabolism, and immune responses. Despite the vital importance of these metabolites, many of their structures remain unknown,” noted Frank Schroeder , professor at BTI and principal investigator. author of the study.

Whether chemicals produced by bacteria can influence their host’s metabolism is a promising area of ​​research. Further studies could investigate host-bacteria interactions to better understand – and potentially improve – metabolic health.

“The devil is in the details. As we gain clarity regarding the molecular mechanisms of fat metabolism and its regulation by specific dietary-derived compounds, we get closer to harnessing this knowledge for better results in human health,” Fox said. “This research not only expands our understanding of fundamental biological processes, but also highlights potential avenues for future exploration in human health and disease management.”