Tracking microbiota fibre breakdown to treat NASH

Article Microbiology

Parabacteroides distasonis uses dietary inulin to suppress NASH via its metabolite pentadecanoic acid

Wenchao Wei et al.

Summary: Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a severe form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease characterized by liver inflammation and fat accumulation. In this study, it was found that dietary soluble fiber inulin is more effective than insoluble fiber cellulose in suppressing NASH progression in mice. The gut commensal Parabacteroides distasonis uses inulin to produce the protective metabolite pentadecanoic acid, which improves gut barrier function and alleviates NASH in mice.

NATURE MICROBIOLOGY (2023)

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Article Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

Inulin Improves Diet-Induced Hepatic Steatosis and Increases Intestinal Akkermansia Genus Level

Carlos Perez-Monter et al.

Summary: Supplementing inulin in a classic obesity and fatty liver model mice can effectively prevent hepatic steatosis and reshape the composition of intestinal microbiota.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES (2022)

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Review Cell Biology

Gut-liver axis: Pathophysiological concepts and clinical implications

Herbert Tilg et al.

Summary: Bidirectional crosstalk between the gut and liver plays a crucial role in regulating gastrointestinal health and disease. Nutrients, microbial antigens, metabolites, and bile acids regulate metabolism and immune responses in the gut and liver, which reciprocally shape the structure and function of the microbial community. Perturbation of this host-microbe interaction is observed in various liver diseases and is exacerbated by impaired intestinal barrier, contributing to hepatic inflammation and disease progression.

CELL METABOLISM (2022)

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Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Evaluating microbiome-directed fibre snacks in gnotobiotic mice and humans

Omar Delannoy-Bruno et al.

Summary: Westernization has led to changing food preferences which have negative health effects, along with increased food insecurity. Dietary fiber intake is beneficial in preventing cardiovascular disease and obesity, but the complex nature of the gut microbiome makes it difficult to define how food ingredients affect its properties. This study aimed to design snacks with different fiber preparations to target specific components of the microbiome in individuals with obesity.

NATURE (2021)

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Article Microbiology

Commensal microbe-derived acetate suppresses NAFLD/NASH development via hepatic FFAR2 signalling in mice

Ryo Aoki et al.

Summary: The study demonstrates that the commensal microbiome-acetate-FFAR2 molecular circuit improves insulin sensitivity in the liver and prevents the development of NAFLD/NASH. Consumption of prebiotic inulin leads to significant improvements in NAFLD/NASH phenotype, with changes in gut microbiome and increased concentrations of short-chain fatty acids like acetate.

MICROBIOME (2021)

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Article Gastroenterology & Hepatology