Innovative Approach: Sequestering Gut Bacteria's Microbial Fuel Improves Blood Sugar and Liver Health

Recent research from Canadian scientists has unveiled a groundbreaking method to enhance metabolic health by targeting a microbial-derived fuel in the gut. The study, published in Cell Metabolism, highlights how a molecule produced by gut microbiota can enter the bloodstream and promote excessive glucose and fat production in the liver, contributing to conditions like type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease.

Researchers at McMaster University, Université Laval, and the University of Ottawa discovered that obese mice—and humans with obesity—exhibit elevated levels of D-lactate, a less common form of lactate originating primarily from gut bacteria. Unlike the well-known L-lactate produced by muscles, D-lactate was found to more aggressively raise blood sugar and liver fat.

The team developed a novel "gut substrate trap"—a biodegradable polymer that binds to D-lactate within the gut, preventing its absorption into the bloodstream. When administered to mice, this trap significantly lowered blood glucose levels, improved insulin sensitivity, and reduced liver inflammation and fibrosis—all without altering their diet or body weight.

Professor Jonathan Schertzer, the senior author, explained that this discovery introduces a new dimension to understanding metabolic pathways, extending the classic Cori cycle, which involves the exchange of lactate and glucose between muscles and the liver. This research reveals a new branch involving gut bacteria, adding complexity to how metabolic signals are mediated.

The findings are significant because they present a novel therapeutic target—intercepting the microbial fuel before it causes harm. This approach shifts the focus from hormonal or organ-specific treatments to the microbiome itself, highlighting its role in chronic metabolic diseases.

This research underscores the growing recognition of the microbiome's influence on health and disease, offering promising new avenues for managing obesity-related conditions.

For more detailed information, view the full study in Cell Metabolism: link. Source: Medical Xpress.