2024-07-23 09:15:37
Gut microbiota, the set of microorganisms that live in our intestines, controls many aspects related to human metabolism and eating behavior. It is also closely linked to the development of metabolic pathologies such as diabetes or obesity. A new study now reveals that some intestinal bacteria produce substances with a function similar to the human enzyme DPP-4, responsible for the degradation of incretins, hormones that control blood glucose.
This discovery opens the door to the development of drugs against enzymes of bacterial origin and the improvement of treatments against type 2 diabetes.
The research has been led by the Institute of Agrochemistry and Food Technology (IATA), of the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC) in Spain.
Incretins are hormones that cause the secretion of insulin by the pancreas when food is eaten and, therefore, are responsible for the reduction in blood glucose levels. The two main incretins are growth inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), hormones with which DPP-4 interacts directly. IATA research shows that enzymes produced by bacteria, with behavior similar to DPP-4, also interact with these hormones.
“Until now, we know that the activity of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 or DPP-4 produced by human cells worsens the response to glucose, because it breaks down and inacretins, which are responsible for the release of insulin after eating food. We have now found that some intestinal bacteria produce a homologue of DPP-4. This is a mechanism through which the microbiota can increase the health of our metabolism,” explains Marta Olivares, CSIC researcher at IATA and one of the authors of the study.
Pharmacological research for the treatment of type 2 diabetes has focused on the interaction between DPP-4 and incretins, trying to increase their useful life by blocking the activity of the DPP-4 enzyme. “These drugs have been designed to act on human DPP-4, but we do not know that some intestinal bacteria produce enzymes that work correctly,” said Alfonso Benítez, CSIC scientist at IATA and author- the study said.
The results of the work show that, although some drugs are effective in preventing the action of enzymes homologues to DPP-4 of bacteria of the genus Parabacteroides merdae, other drugs do not affect their behavior. That is, the common inhibitors used in antidiabetic treatments differ in their ability to act against bacterial enzymes.
The research team highlighted the importance of developing treatments that act against enzymes of bacterial origin. “Our finding shows the need to add this factor to achieve more effective treatments for type 2 diabetes,” concludes Benítez.
The gut microbiota affects many aspects of human health. (Credit: Amazing Things/NCYT)
Internal hormones in diabetes
The consumption of foods containing carbohydrates or sugars, often associated with overweight and obesity, is related to high blood glucose levels. Glucose, our main source of energy, enters the cells thanks to insulin, a hormone released by the pancreas after eating.
Obese and obese subjects have excessive blood glucose as a result of eating unhealthy foods, and require a large insulin release so that glucose, after eating, enters the cells and lowers blood glucose. .
Obesity is the main risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes, which accounts for 90% of diabetes cases. It is a metabolic disorder that is characterized by people who suffer from hyperglycemia, a high level of sugar in the blood.
Different studies indicate an increase in DPP-4 activity in people with obesity and type 2 diabetes, which causes the inefficiency of the hormones responsible for the release of insulin by the pancreas and, therefore, an increase in blood glucose.
“Our study provides scientific evidence on the possible role of the microbiota in the development of type 2 diabetes, and it shows the need to address not only dietary factors, but also the composition and activity of the Intestinal bacteria are the cause of this disease”, reveals the study. group. Research staff from the Principe Felipe Research Institute of Valencia (CIPF) also participated in the study.
The study is titled “Gut microbiota DPP4-like enzymes are increased in type-2 diabetes and contribute to incretin inactivation.” And it was published in the journal Genome Biology. (Source: Isidoro García / CSIC)
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