Posted on 08/04/2025 6:43:25 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
New research reveals that certain gut microbial byproducts may hold promise as a novel therapy for obesity-associated metabolic complications by restoring critical hormone-producing cells in the intestine.
The study focuses on enteroendocrine cells (EECs)—specialized cells in the gut that play a key role in metabolic regulation by releasing hormones such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which stimulate insulin secretion and suppress appetite. In obesity, these cells are diminished in number and function, contributing to insulin resistance and poor metabolic health.
Researchers investigated how microbial metabolites derived from dietary tryptophan—an amino acid found in protein-rich foods—may help restore EEC numbers. Specifically, they studied the effects of indole, a key tryptophan metabolite produced by gut bacteria, on intestinal stem cell differentiation into EECs.
Using a combination of human intestinal organoids, known as "mini-gut," and rat models, the research team discovered that obesity led to a significant drop—about 60%—in the number of hormone-producing cells in the intestines.
However, when human gut organoids were treated with indole or with the culture medium of a probiotic bacterial strain grown in tryptophan, the number of these cells more than doubled. This effect was blocked when a specific cell receptor called the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) was turned off, suggesting this pathway plays a key role in the process.
"Our findings suggest that microbial metabolites derived from dietary tryptophan can reverse obesity-associated reductions in hormone-secreting gut cells," said Alip Borthakur, Ph.D.
"This points to a potential therapeutic strategy that leverages the gut microbes to improve metabolic outcomes in obesity."
The study provides foundational evidence supporting the development of microbiota-targeted interventions—such as probiotic or dietary approaches—to boost incretin hormone production to improve glucose metabolism and regulate appetite in people with obesity.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
Obese people lose 60% of cells in their intestines that otherwise would make key hormones like glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a new drug that is helping people lose a lot of weight. Eating tryptophan sources helps gut bacteria make a product that brings them back to nearly normal.
What are high sou of tryptophan?
Bkmk
RFK Jr needs to reverse the ban on L-tryptophan.
I seem to have missed the 2005 reintroduction.
Acidophilus restores good bacteria when antibiotics wipe all good. When good bacteria is lost, the body goes into digestive melt down. Take all the kinds of acidophilus..it takes awhile .. few weeks..to get the good bacteria restored.
You can buy tryptophan as a supplement. Does that count?
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