https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-022-32015-7
https://bio.nikkeibp.co.jp/atcl/news/p1/22/08/18/09831/
A Japanese team has found bacteria in the microbiome of Japanese people that may improve obesity and diabetes symptoms in a joint study with Waseda University and others. In a cohort study, Blautia wexlerae was identified as an intestinal bacterium that is less common in obese and type 2 diabetic Japanese and more common in thin and non-diabetic people. Blautia wexlerae accounts for more than 1% of the intestinal bacteria in approximately 90% of Japanese people.
Mice receiving Blautia wexlerae in addition to a high-fat diet showed approximately half the weight gain and visceral fat accumulation compared to those on a high-fat diet. If Blautia wexlerae were added to a high-fat diet, blood insulin and blood glucose levels were reduced elevated las well as inflammatory responses in adipose tissue which are associated to diabetic symptoms.
As to the mechanism of action, addition of Blautia wexlerae culture supernatant to adipocyte cells suppressed intracellular fat accumulation, and Omics analysis revealed that Blautia wexlerae produced L-ornithine, which is believed to promote lipid metabolism, acetylcholine, which suppresses inflammation, and S-adenosylmethionine, which suppresses insulin resistance. The team also showed that Blautia wexlerae may cooperate with other intestinal bacteria, such as butyrate-producing bacteria, to improve the overall intestinal environment.Next steps are to verify the safety and efficacy of Blautia wexlerae in humans.