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Gut Wellness, Microbiome, Enzymes

Akkermansia Muciniphila an Overview

Akkermansia Muciniphila an Overview

Introduction to the Microbiome

The human microbiome is the collection of all the microorganisms that live in and on our bodies. These microorganisms, also known as microbiota, include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and archaea. The microbiome plays a vital role in our health, affecting everything from our immune system to our metabolism. One of the most important components of the microbiome is the gut microbiota. The gut microbiota is made up of trillions of bacteria that live in our intestines. These bacteria play a role in digestion, absorption of nutrients, and immune function.

What is Akkermansia Muciniphila?

Discovered in 2004 and named after the Dutch microbiologist Dr Antoon Akkermans, A.muciniphila is a Gram-negative, anaerobic mucin-degrading bacterium that is found in the gut microbiota of humans and other mammals. Mucin is a type of glycoprotein that makes up the mucus layer that lines the inside of the intestines. Akkermansia muciniphila is able to degrade mucin, which provides it with a source of energy.

First let’s look at what the Mucus layer does in the intestines:

The mucus layer is a thick, sticky substance that lines the inside of the intestines. It is made up of glycoproteins, which are proteins that are attached to carbohydrates. The mucus layer serves a number of important functions, including:

  • Protecting the gut from harmful bacteria and toxins: The mucus layer acts as a physical barrier that prevents harmful bacteria and toxins from coming into contact with the cells lining the intestines.
  • Keeping the gut hydrated: The mucus layer helps to keep the gut hydrated by preventing water from evaporating.
  • Lubricating the intestines: The mucus layer helps to lubricate the intestines, which makes it easier for food to pass through.
  • Promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria: The mucus layer provides a home for beneficial bacteria, which help to keep the gut healthy.

The mucus layer is essential for maintaining intestinal health. A healthy mucus layer is thick and sticky, and it is able to prevent harmful bacteria and toxins from coming into contact with the cells lining the intestines. If the mucus layer is damaged, it can lead to a number of health problems, including inflammation, infection, and malabsorption.

Here are some of the factors that can damage the mucus layer:

  • Inflammation: Inflammation can damage the mucus layer, making it more susceptible to damage from harmful bacteria and toxins.
  • Viral infections: Viral infections can also damage the mucus layer.
  • Antibiotics: Antibiotics can kill beneficial bacteria, which can lead to an imbalance in the gut microbiota and damage to the mucus layer.
  • Stress: Stress can also damage the mucus layer.

Akkermansia degrades the mucus layer, stimulating new mucus production. As a by-product of  ‘feeding on mucin; it produces  short-chain fatty acids *propionate and *acetate ,  which feed other beneficial gut bacteria which helps  make *butyrate. 

  • Proprionate: produced by microbiota in response to fibre in the diet. Fatty acid propionate can calm the immune cells that drive up blood pressure,.
  • Acetate: acetate may modulate body weight control through different mechanisms that can affect central appetite regulation, gut-satiety hormones, and improvements in lipid metabolism and energy expenditure.
  • The cells of the gut lining feed on butyrate and this makes butyrate essential for gut barrier maintenance. A shortage of butyrate has been implicated in diseases involving colonic inflammation such as ulcerative collitis. Due to the importance of butyrate as an inflammatory regulator and immune system contributor, butyrate depletions could be a key factor influencing the pathogenesis of many vasculitic conditions.: The cells of the gut lining feed on butyrate making butyrate essential for gut barrier maintenance. A shortage of butyrate has been implicated in diseases involving colonic inflammation such as ulcerative collitis.

Akkermansia muciniphila has been shown to have a number of beneficial effects on human health. These effects include:

  • Improved gut barrier function: Akkermansia muciniphila helps to keep the gut barrier healthy by increasing the production of mucus and tight junctions. This helps to protect the body from harmful bacteria and toxins.
  • Reduced inflammation: Akkermansia muciniphila has been shown to reduce inflammation in the gut and throughout the body. This is thought to be due to its ability to modulate the immune system.
  • Improved glucose metabolism: Akkermansia muciniphila has been shown to improve glucose metabolism in people with obesity and type 2 diabetes. This is thought to be due to its ability to increase insulin sensitivity and reduce inflammation.
  • Reduced risk of obesity: Akkermansia muciniphila has been shown to reduce the risk of obesity in mice. This is thought to be due to its ability to increase energy expenditure and reduce fat storage.

What Can Affect the Amount of Akkermansia Muciniphila in the Body?

The amount of Akkermansia muciniphila in the gut microbiota can be affected by a number of factors, including:

  • Age: The amount of Akkermansia muciniphila tends to decrease with age.
  • Diet: A diet high in fiber and low in processed foods is thought to be beneficial for Akkermansia muciniphila.
  • Exercise: Exercise has been shown to increase the abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila in the gut.
  • Stress: Stress can decrease the abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila in the gut.
  • Medications: Some medications, such as antibiotics, can decrease the abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila in the gut.

Problems with Too Much Akkermansia Muciniphila

There is no evidence that too much Akkermansia muciniphila is harmful. However, some studies have shown that a higher abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila may be associated with an increased risk of colon cancer. More research is needed to confirm this association.

Problems with Too Little Akkermansia Muciniphila

A low abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila has been associated with a number of health problems, including:

  • Obesity
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Cancer

Foods that Support Akkermansia Muciniphila

There are a number of foods that can support the growth of Akkermansia muciniphila in the gut. These foods include:

  • Fibre: Fibre is a type of carbohydrate that is not digested by the body. It is a prebiotic, which means that it feeds the beneficial bacteria in the gut. Good sources of fiber include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes.
  • Probiotics: Probiotics are live bacteria that are similar to the bacteria that naturally live in the gut. They can be found in fermented foods, such as yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut.
  • Short-chain fatty acids: Short-chain fatty acids are produced by the beneficial bacteria in the gut. They are a source of energy for the cells
  • Green Tea:  Green tea polyphenol Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a major bioactive polyphenol in green tea, possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties
  • Polyphenols:  Red and purple pigment foods such as cranberries, blueberries, baclcurrants, red olives, red cabbage etc

Foods that Decrease Akkermansia Muciniphila

There are a number of foods that can decrease the growth of Akkermansia muciniphila in the gut. These foods include:

  • Processed foods: Processed foods are often high in sugar, unhealthy fats, and artificial ingredients. These foods can disrupt the balance of the gut microbiota and lead to a decrease in Akkermansia muciniphila.
  • Sugar: Sugar is a simple carbohydrate that is quickly digested by the body. It can feed the harmful bacteria in the gut and lead to a decrease in Akkermansia muciniphila.
  • Unhealthy fats: Unhealthy fats, such as saturated and trans fats, can disrupt the balance of the gut microbiota and lead to a decrease in Akkermansia muciniphila.

How to Increase Akkermansia Muciniphila

There are a number of things that you can do to increase the abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila in your gut. These include:

  • Eating a healthy diet: A healthy diet that is high in fiber and low in processed foods is essential for supporting the growth of Akkermansia muciniphila.
  • Taking probiotics: Probiotics are live bacteria that are similar to the bacteria that naturally live in the gut. They can be found in fermented foods, such as yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut. You can also take probiotic supplements.
  • Exercising regularly: Exercise has been shown to increase the abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila in the gut.
  • Managing stress: Stress can decrease the abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila in the gut. Find healthy ways to manage stress, such as yoga, meditation, or spending time in nature.

    Summary   

    • History: Akkermansia muciniphila was first isolated in 2004 from the feces of healthy adults. It was named after its ability to degrade mucin, a type of glycoprotein that makes up the mucus layer that lines the inside of the intestines.
    • Genetics: Akkermansia muciniphila has a relatively small genome, which is about 2.5 million base pairs in size. This is much smaller than the genomes of other bacteria that are found in the gut.
    • Metabolism: Akkermansia muciniphila is a fermentative bacterium, which means that it gets its energy from breaking down carbohydrates. It is able to degrade mucin, which is a complex carbohydrate that is not easily digested by other bacteria.
    • Role in health: Akkermansia muciniphila has been shown to have a number of beneficial effects on human health. These effects include:
      • Improved gut barrier function: Akkermansia muciniphila helps to keep the gut barrier healthy by increasing the production of mucus and tight junctions. This helps to protect the body from harmful bacteria and toxins.
      • Reduced inflammation: Akkermansia muciniphila has been shown to reduce inflammation in the gut and throughout the body. This is thought to be due to its ability to modulate the immune system.
      • Improved glucose metabolism: Akkermansia muciniphila has been shown to improve glucose metabolism in people with obesity and type 2 diabetes. This is thought to be due to its ability to increase insulin sensitivity and reduce inflammation.
      • Reduced risk of obesity: Akkermansia muciniphila has been shown to reduce the risk of obesity in mice. This is thought to be due to its ability to increase energy expenditure and reduce fat storage.
    • Future research: Akkermansia muciniphila is a relatively new bacterium, and there is still much that we do not know about it. Future research is needed to better understand its role in human health and to develop ways to increase its abundance in the gut.

    Sources:

     

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