A team of researchers from the Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology, Research Center of the Superior Council of Scientific Investigations (IATA-CSIC), has identified a new intestinal bacterium of the genre 'HoldeManellla', capable of reducing blood glucose levels afterwards Of the meals, as well as to improve metabolism in organs such as the liver.
Both indicators are altered in people with obesity, with metabolic syndrome or with type 2 diabetes, so their functional regulation and restoration would be very beneficial for these pathologies.
The team, coordinated by Yolanda Sanz, Researcher of the IATA-CSC, focuses his research on analyzing the function that the bacteria that inhabit our intestinal tract have on our health, not only the local effects they exercise in the intestine, but also those that They are produced through their interaction with various organs and systems, including the liver and brain.
In the study, published in the magazine The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Journal, the preclinical efficacy of a genre bacterium has been evaluated Holdella in animal experimental models, and it has been shown that this bacterium is effective to regulate glucose levels Throughout the organism, exercising a function that could be very useful for the prevention and treatment of insulin resistance, hyperglycemia and diabetes. In addition, the complete genome of this bacteria has been sequenced to confirm the safety of its use in humans.
"The applications of this bacterium are diverse and have an optimistic horizon. In particular, in the field of food, the bacterium could be used as a new generation probiotic. Also in the pharmaceutical industry it could be used as a bioterapeutic agent for treatment and the Prevention of dysfunctions of glucose metabolism. This bacterium could be used, in combination with antidiabetic drugs, to increase its effectiveness at reduced doses and, therefore, also reduce its adverse effects, one of the main causes that certain drugs that They are effective are withdrawn from the market, "explains Marina Roma, postdoctoral researcher of the CSIC in the IATA-CSIC.
The intestinal bacteria of the genus Holdemanellla is part of the natural microbiota of metabolically healthy individuals and has the ability to improve glucose tolerance, that is, reduce glucose concentrations after ingestion, in the context of obesity.
It also decreases high glucose concentrations (hyperglycemia) under basal conditions and reverses alterations of gluconeogenesis and insulin resistance in the liver associated with obesity. This bacterium presents the peculiarity that it is capable of modulating the endocrine system of intestine and communication that exists between the intestine and brain to control metabolism.
Bacteria favors secretion of GLP-1 gastrointestinal hormone (glucagon peptide) in the large intestine; This hormone is released after each meal to reduce blood glucose levels. In the small intestine, the bacteria also seems to improve the signals that the Hormone GLP-1 sends the brain, by neurally, favoring the control of glucose metabolism in peripheral tissues such as the liver. This hormone is of great interest for the pharmaceutical industry, in fact, synthetic annalogues of GLP-1 hormone are currently marketed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
At present, diabetes affects around 8% of the general population. It is a serious illness and, not taking action, it will soon affect 10%.
The abuse of foods rich in carbohydrates or sugars, frequently associated with overweight and obesity, is related to higher levels of blood glucose. Glucose, our main source of energy, enters the cells thanks to insulin, hormone released by the pancreas after the intake of food.
Subjects with overweight and obesity have an excess of blood glucose, as a consequence of the consumption of unhealthy diets, and require greater insulin secretion for glucose, after food intake, enter into the cells and be Reduce blood blood glucose.
In the long term, the highest demand for insulin causes the cells not respond to this hormone (insulin resistance) and that the function of the pancreas is finally deteriorated. As a consequence, blood glucose levels remain elevated continuously by developing diabetes and causing failures in different organs, such as the pancreas.
Date Of Update: 09 December 2021, 17:51
