Posted on Jan 13, 2015, 6 a.m.
Metabolic Syndrome may be prevented by promoting a healthy composition of intestinal bacteria.
A risk factor for diabetes and heart disease, Metabolic Syndrome is a condition involving a large waistline, high triglycerides level, low HDL cholesterol level, high blood pressure, and high fasting blood sugar. Gut microbiota – the bacteria that live in the intestine – performs key functions in health: when it becomes dysregulated it can promote chronic inflammatory diseases; as well, an altered gut microbiota promotes inflammation that leads to Metabolic Syndrome. Employing a mouse model, Andrew Gewirtz, from Georgia State University (Georgia, USA), and colleagues observed that promoting healthy gut microbiota can prevent Metabolic Syndrome. The study authors observe that: “Expression of [Toll-like receptor 5] on [intestinal epithelial cells] regulates the composition and localization of the intestinal microbiota, preventing diseases associated with intestinal inflammation.”
Chassaing B, Ley RE, Gewirtz AT. “Intestinal Epithelial Cell Toll-like Receptor 5 Regulates the Intestinal Microbiota to Prevent Low-Grade Inflammation and Metabolic Syndrome in Mice.” Gastroenterology. 2014 Dec;147(6):1363-1377.e17.