Navigation Links
Waste from gut bacteria helps host control weight, UT Southwestern researchers report
Date:10/17/2008

DALLAS Oct. 17, 2008 A single molecule in the intestinal wall, activated by the waste products from gut bacteria, plays a large role in controlling whether the host animals are lean or fatty, a research team, including scientists from UT Southwestern Medical Center, has found in a mouse study.

When activated, the molecule slows the movement of food through the intestine, allowing the animal to absorb more nutrients and thus gain weight. Without this signal, the animals weigh less.

The study shows that the host can use bacterial byproducts not only as a source of nutrients, but also as chemical signals to regulate body functions. It also points the way to a potential method of controlling weight, the researchers said.

"It's quite possible that blocking this receptor molecule in the intestine might fight a certain kind of obesity by blocking absorption of energy from the gut," said Dr. Masashi Yanagisawa, professor of molecular genetics at UT Southwestern and a senior co-author of the study, which appears online in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Humans, like other animals, have a large and varied population of beneficial bacteria that live in the intestines. The bacteria break up large molecules that the host cannot digest. The host in turn absorbs many of the resulting small molecules for energy and nutrients.

"The number of bacteria in our gut far exceeds the total number of cells in our bodies," said Dr. Yanagisawa.

"It's truly a mutually beneficial relationship. We provide the bacteria with food, and in return they supply energy and nutrients," he explained.

Using mice, the researchers focused on two species of bacteria that break up dietary fibers from food into small molecules called short-chain fatty acids. Dr. Yanagisawa's team previously had found that short-chain fatty acids bind to and activate a receptor molecule in the gut wall called Gpr41, although litt
'/>"/>

Contact: Aline McKenzie
aline.mckenzie@utsouthwestern.edu
214-648-3404
UT Southwestern Medical Center
Source:Eurekalert  

4

GOOD

Page: 1 2

Related biology news :

1. Central targets may hinder wider waste management objectives
2. Great potential to improve collection, recycling of Europes electronic waste, says UN report
3. Where does stored nuclear waste go?
4. Managing nuclear wastes for the millennia
5. U of Minnesota researchers discover key for converting waste to electricity
6. Key to using local resources for biomass may include waste
7. Dental chair a possible source of neurotoxic mercury waste
8. Wakame waste
9. Research yields pricey chemicals from biodiesel waste
10. Improving swine waste fertilizer
11. New UGA biomass technology dramatically increases ethanol yield from grasses and yard waste
Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
Related Image:
Waste from gut bacteria helps host control weight, UT Southwestern researchers report
(Date:5/20/2013)... SAN DIEGO (May 20, 2013) - A ... will headline the groundbreaking research that will be unveiled ... Biotechnology Conference (NBC). The meeting takes place Monday, May ... Diego Hotel and Marina. , "The main goal ... to fight against a pathogen that causes the disease", ...
(Date:5/19/2013)... of California, Davis have engineered a strain of photosynthetic ... They report their findings today at the 113th General ... this work, we used synthetic biology approaches to probe ... light energy for growth) cyanobacterial metabolism for the ability ... lead researcher on the study. He is part ...
(Date:5/17/2013)... 2013) The AGA Research Foundation announced a new ... between the gut microbiota, one of today,s most exciting ... , The AGA Research Awards Panel selected Andrew T. ... Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, as the 2013 ... will receive $25,000 of funding, commencing in July 2013, ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):Germ-fighting vaccine system makes great strides in delivery 2New gut microbiome research to explore red meat -- colorectal cancer pathway 2
... 10, 2009)Attempts to treat critical limb ischemia in ... are still thwarted by restenosis (the re-narrowing of ... stenting), the need for repeat treatments and the ... death (gangrene) and amputation. Interventional radiologists have been ...
... Detects Faces in Motion, Matches with Watch-list ... Lithuania, March 9 Neurotechnology, a provider ... the availability of VeriLook Surveillance SDK, a ... using live video streams from high-resolution digital ...
... be tough, but scientists have found a Yellowstone National ... simple one-celled algae called Cyanidioschyzon -- thrives ... occurs naturally around hot springs, said Tim McDermott, professor ... at Montana State University. Cyanidioschyzon could ...
Cached Biology News:Promising 3-year data: Saving limbs with drug-eluting stents 2Promising 3-year data: Saving limbs with drug-eluting stents 3VeriLook Surveillance SDK Provides Real-Time Face Identification Using Video Surveillance Cameras 2VeriLook Surveillance SDK Provides Real-Time Face Identification Using Video Surveillance Cameras 3Montana State team finds Yellowstone alga that detoxifies arsenic 2Montana State team finds Yellowstone alga that detoxifies arsenic 3
(Date:5/21/2013)... Branchburg, NJ (PRWEB) May 21, 2013 ... enhancement industry, has appointed Dale Braddy to Southeastern USA ... proactively bolster its sales muscle in the Southeast. ... a food ingredient brokerage and supplier to food processors ... past 13 years in the food industry and has ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... As the R&D sector becomes ... the industry to deliver better products, faster. Collaborations ... companies often means turning big ideas into reality, ... collaboration with Sensidose AB and Recipharm, is one ... to market sooner. The partnership resulted in the ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... May 21, 2013  Synthetic Biologics, Inc. (NYSE MKT: SYN), ... of serious infectious diseases, announced today that Jeffrey ... Annual Marcum LLP MicroCap Conference on Thursday, May 30, ... the Grand Hyatt Hotel. Mr. Riley is scheduled to present ... of Synthetic Biologics, presentation can be accessed by logging onto ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... NANONEX CORPORATION, a pioneer and leading company ... successful delivery and installation of a new nanoimprint ... major Japanese manufacturing company. , ... lithography tool that has the ability to process ... types. Based on Nanonex inventions and proprietary technologies, ...
Breaking Biology Technology:The Development of an Innovative Microtablet Dosage Form, a Success Story: Live Webinar Hosted by Xtalks 2Synthetic Biologics to Present at the 2nd Annual Marcum LLP MicroCap Conference 2Nanonex Announces the Shipment and Installation of an Innovative Nanoimprint Lithography System for Fully Automated Manufacturing 2
... BOULDER, Colo., and IPSWICH, Mass., July 27, ... Biolabs, Inc. (NEB) announce today that they ... whereby SomaLogic will provide specific SOMAmers as ... and future NEB nucleic acid amplification and ...
... July 27, 2011 Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: ... and commercializing proprietary products principally for use in the hospital ... ended June 30, 2011 financial results on Wednesday, August 3, ... call and live webcast to discuss the financial results on ...
... Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq: KERX ) today ... registration trial of KRX-0401 (perifosine) for the treatment of ... over 430 randomized patients, is being conducted pursuant to ... Drug Administration (FDA) and with Fast-Track Designation.  Perifosine is ...
Cached Biology Technology:Agreement Between SomaLogic and New England Biolabs Enables the Use of SOMAmer Technology for the Optimization of Multiple PCR Products 2Keryx Biopharmaceuticals Announces Completion of Patient Enrollment in KRX-0401 (Perifosine) Phase 3 Refractory Advanced Colorectal Cancer Study 2Keryx Biopharmaceuticals Announces Completion of Patient Enrollment in KRX-0401 (Perifosine) Phase 3 Refractory Advanced Colorectal Cancer Study 3Keryx Biopharmaceuticals Announces Completion of Patient Enrollment in KRX-0401 (Perifosine) Phase 3 Refractory Advanced Colorectal Cancer Study 4Keryx Biopharmaceuticals Announces Completion of Patient Enrollment in KRX-0401 (Perifosine) Phase 3 Refractory Advanced Colorectal Cancer Study 5