Excessive sugar consumption has been linked to obesity, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes, highlighting the critical need to understand the mechanisms regulating dietary behaviours and metabolic processes.
Recent research underscores the importance of gut-to-brain signalling in shaping dietary preferences, although the intricate details remain elusive. Professor Liang Xinmiao and colleagues, in a study published in Nature Microbiology, identified the gut bacterium Bacteroides vulgatus as a pivotal regulator of sugar intake. This microbe exerts its influence by activating the GLP-1-FGF21 hormone axis, a pathway known to modulate energy balance and appetite.
Evidence from blood tests in diabetic mice and humans with type 2 diabetes reveals a correlation between low levels of the “free fatty acid receptor 4” (FFAR4) and heightened sugar cravings. A reduction in FFAR4 levels leads to alterations in the population of Bacteroides vulgatus and a decrease in pantothenic acid, a metabolite critical for dietary preference regulation.
Experimental findings in mice confirm that supplementation with Bacteroides vulgatus and pantothenic acid can effectively modulate sugar intake. These results underscore the role of gut microbes in the interplay between the gut, liver, and brain, influencing food choices and identifying new therapeutic targets for metabolic disorders.
The discovery paves the way for innovative treatments for metabolic diseases by exploring FFAR4 agonists or strategies targeting Bacteroides vulgatus. Future clinical trials will be crucial in validating these approaches for the prevention and management of metabolic conditions such as type 2 diabetes.
exploring FFAR4 agonists or strategies targeting Bacteroides vulgatus. Future clinical trials will be crucial in validating these approaches for the prevention and management of metabolic conditions such as type 2 diabetes.
