Over the past decade, researchers have discovered a link between the composition of the gut microbiota and aspects of cardiovascular disease. neutral fat level and Blood sugar level after meals.

However, the development of therapies targeting these associations has been difficult, primarily due to an incomplete understanding of metabolic processes within the intestine.

Now, researchers at the Broad Institute have achieved a more thorough and detailed view of how gut microbes influence metabolism.

They used a powerful method called shotgun metagenomic sequencing to closely examine the DNA of all the microorganisms in the sample.

In addition to this, they applied a technique called metabolomics to measure the amounts of hundreds of known substances and even thousands of unidentified substances produced by these organisms.

The method uncovered more than 16,000 associations between microbes and metabolic traits, with one particularly noteworthy finding. Oscilibacter This genus showed lower cholesterol levels compared to those without these bacteria.

Remarkably, Oscilibacter Bacterial species were found to be highly prevalent in the gut, with an average of one in every 100 bacteria present.

To understand how these microorganisms metabolize cholesterol, the researchers aimed to identify the biochemical pathways involved, which involved culturing the microorganisms in a laboratory setting.

Fortunately, the laboratory has spent years collecting bacteria from stool samples and has built a unique collection that includes: Oscilibacter seed.

After the researchers successfully cultivated the bacteria in the lab, they used mass spectrometry to identify byproducts that may be produced when the bacteria process cholesterol.

This helped us understand the methods these bacteria use to lower cholesterol levels.

They discovered that this bacterium converts cholesterol into a substance that other bacteria can further break down and remove from the body.

By applying machine learning, the research team identified specific enzymes that may be responsible for converting cholesterol into these substances.

Additionally, researchers identified another type of gut bacteria. Eubacteria CoprostanorigenesIt also plays a role in lowering cholesterol.

This bacterium contains genes known to be involved in the processing of cholesterol. In their latest findings, the team observed: eubacteria may cooperate with Oscilibacter To further lower cholesterol levels.

This means that future research focusing on how different types of bacteria interact may provide deeper insight into the complex impact that the gut microbiome has on human health. It shows that.

Researchers aim to understand how the complex world inside our gut works, starting with one tiny organism or gene at a time.

They believe this careful approach can help uncover how the system works and create targeted therapies that may directly target harmful microorganisms.

Two experts not involved in the study conducted interviews. Today’s medical news About studying.

“The gut microbiome plays a major role in human health,” said Chen-Han Chen, MD, a board-certified interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at Memorial Care Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, California. This includes cardiovascular health.”

“In this study, we utilized metagenomic and metabolomics techniques to identify and focus on a specific species of enterobacterium (Ocilibacter). As more research is conducted to understand the relationship between the microbiome and cardiovascular disease, further research is being done to understand the relationship between the microbiome and cardiovascular disease. You will be able to identify many bacterial species. ”
— Dr. Chen-Han Chen

Professor Chen pointed out: “The uptake and metabolism of fat and cholesterol in the intestine affects blood cholesterol levels, so it is important to understand the mechanisms by which this occurs.”

“This research could lead to treatments that help our natural gut microbiota better maintain a favorable blood cholesterol profile, which in turn leads to improved cardiovascular health.” That’s a possibility,” he explained.

Dr. Yuming Nee, a board-certified cardiologist and lipid specialist at MemorialCare Heart and Vascular Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, Calif., agreed. ”

“We coexist with trillions of microorganisms on our skin, in our intestinal tracts, and in our urogenital tract. These microorganisms play important roles in our ability to fight external pathogens, food metabolism, and the health of our immune system. Specifically, this study shows that there are bacterial strains that can influence cholesterol exposure in the intestinal tract.”
— Dr. Yuming Ni

“The discovery of the cholesterol metabolic properties of Oscilibacter bacteria is interesting and suggests that this probiotic strain could be used as a treatment for high cholesterol,” Nee said.

However, Ni also pointed out that the study has some limitations.

“Given that this study was conducted in vitro, it is too early to tell whether this organism’s effects on cholesterol can be replicated in humans. More importantly, this microorganism may cause other effects in the human body. “We don’t know what effects it might have, and these other effects could be harmful,” he said.

Dr. Ni said, “Further studies in real patients are needed to determine whether this microorganism can help reduce cholesterol intake.”