May 2, 2023
The human body is a complex ecosystem of cells, tissues, and microorganisms, with trillions of bacteria residing in the gut alone. These microorganisms play a crucial role in maintaining the health of the human body, and their importance is increasingly being recognized in the scientific community. Among these microorganisms, one bacterium that has recently garnered attention for its beneficial effects on human health is Akkermansia muciniphila.
A. muciniphila is a mucus-degrading bacterium that feeds on the glycoproteins, or mucins, which form a protective layer in the intestinal tract. Mucins are secreted in large amounts in the gut, providing a continuous source of carbon, energy, and nitrogen for the gut microbiota. A. muciniphila type strain MucT is highly abundant in healthy adults.
Research has shown that A. muciniphila is involved in various metabolic functions, and its abundance is affected by diet and medications. For instance, caloric restriction and starvation have been shown to increase the abundance of A. muciniphila in the gut (one reason that intermittent fasting is beneficial). Furthermore, the anti-diabetic drug, metformin, can stimulate the growth of A. muciniphila. Metabolic disorders, including obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and cardiovascular diseases, have been associated with a reduction in the abundance of Akkermansia spp. in rodent and human studies.
A. muciniphila has been linked to other conditions as well. In rodent and human studies, A. muciniphila has been linked to type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Some discrepencies also exist in the literature. For example, correlation studies have shown higher amounts of A. muciniphila in patients with Alzheimer's disease, yet the bacterium has been shown to improve cognitive function in mouse models of the disease.
In addition, A. muciniphila has been shown to be a propionate producer in the presence of vitamin B12, which has important implications for gut health. Even dead (i.e., pasteurized) A. muciniphila MucT has been shown to have beneficial effects on host health. Research has shown that live or pasteurized A. muciniphila MucT can improve several cardiometabolic risk factors, including insulin resistance, without increasing circulating levels of GLP1 nor affecting DPP4 activity, an enzyme involved in the degradation of GLP1. A. muciniphila supplementation has also been shown to prevent the natural deterioration of parameters associated with metabolic syndrome in untreated patients.
While A. muciniphila shows great promise as a therapeutic target, more research is needed to fully understand its mechanisms of action and how to optimize its use. Nonetheless, it is clear that this bacterium is an important player in gut health and has the potential to improve the health of those suffering from metabolic disorders and other conditions.
Reference: Cani PD, Depommier C, Derrien M, Everard A, de Vos WM. Akkermansia muciniphila: paradigm for next-generation beneficial microorganisms. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2022 Oct;19(10):625-637. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41575-022-00631-9
Alireza FakhriRavari, PharmD, BCPS, BCIDP, AAHIVP is an Assistant Professor of Infectious Diseases at Loma Linda University School of Pharmacy.
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