Researchers from Imperial College London (ICL) have identified a compound produced by gut bacteria that may protect the body against type 2 diabetes.
The study showed that trimethylamine (TMA), a small molecule produced by gut microbes during the breakdown of choline found in eggs and meat, can play a vital role in improving insulin response and suppressing inflammation—two factors that reduce the risk of developing diabetes.
The researchers explained that TMA is capable of mitigating the effects of high-fat diets on the body, based on experiments conducted on human cell models and laboratory mice. The findings suggest that this microbial metabolite may help break some of the links between obesity, diabetes, and chronic low-grade inflammation.
Mark Emmanuel Dumas, a biochemist at ICL, said: “We have shown that a molecule produced by gut microbes can protect the body from the damage caused by poor nutrition through a novel mechanism.”
The researchers added that TMA works by inhibiting the protein IRAK4, which is responsible for triggering inflammatory responses when consuming high-fat foods. This mechanism could open the door to developing drugs that mimic the effects of TMA and reduce inflammation caused by unhealthy diets.
They emphasized that the findings are still at an early stage and require confirmation through longer-term studies involving human volunteers. However, the results offer promising prospects for managing insulin resistance and preventing type 2 diabetes.
The study also highlights the crucial role of the gut microbiome, as bacteria can secrete chemical compounds that interact with vital biological signals in the body, creating new opportunities for therapeutic interventions in obesity and diabetes.
ScienceAlert
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