A study conducted at Imperial College London (ICL) has revealed a promising discovery: a compound produced by gut bacteria may offer protection against type 2 diabetes, according to the Emirates News Agency.
The study showed that trimethylamine “TMA,” a small molecule produced by gut microbes during the breakdown of choline found in food sources such as eggs and meat, can play a pivotal role in enhancing the body’s response to insulin and reducing inflammation, two key factors that contribute to reducing the likelihood of developing diabetes.
Researchers explained that the “TMA” compound has the ability to mitigate the negative effects of diets that rely heavily on fat on the body. Experiments on human cells and laboratory mouse models have shown that this microbial metabolite may be able to break some of the complex links between obesity, diabetes, and chronic low-grade inflammation.
Protecting the body:
Biochemist at “ICL,” Marc Emmanuel Dumas, stated: “We have shown that a molecule from gut microbes can protect the body from the damage caused by malnutrition through a new mechanism.”
Researchers pointed out that “TMA” works by inhibiting the “IRAK4” protein, which is responsible for the inflammatory response that occurs when eating foods rich in fat. This mechanism may pave the way for the development of drugs that mimic the effect of “TMA” and reduce inflammation caused by unhealthy diets.
The study confirms the crucial importance of the microbiome in the gut, where bacteria can secrete chemicals that interact with vital signals in the body, opening new horizons for therapeutic interventions in cases of obesity and diabetes.
The researchers emphasized that these findings are still preliminary and require further verification through studies conducted on human volunteers for longer periods, but they open promising horizons for managing insulin resistance and preventing type 2 diabetes.
