A Groundbreaking Gut Health Solution
Akkermansia muciniphila is a species of microbe found in the human gut microbiota. It was first isolated by Dr. Muriel Derrien in 2004 in the laboratory of pre-eminent Microbiologist Prof. Willem M. de Vos.
The Chair of Microbiology at Wageningen University in the Netherlands for over 25 years, Willem de Vos has published over 600 peer-reviewed publications and has been the subject of more than 170,000 citations.
The Akkermansia Company™ is dedicated to sharing useful articles based on the latest scientific research, covering areas relating to the Akkermansia muciniphila strain, gut health, and the microbiome.
The Optimal Gut Solution
Akkermansia muciniphila is a "commensal" bacterium, meaning that it is found naturally in the gastrointestinal tract of humans and animals—representing between 0.5 and 5% of all the bacteria colonizing the intestine. Far from being restricted to mammals, Akkermansia muciniphila can also be found in birds, amphibians, fish, and reptiles.
One key characteristic of Akkermansia muciniphila is its ability to live in the mucus, which it does by expressing mucus-degrading enzymes. This means that Akkermansia muciniphila does not rely on dietary substances to feed itself, giving it a competitive advantage over bacteria that rely on fibers and food particles as their main source of nutrition.1
As a result, Akkermansia muciniphila lives in the mucus layer that covers cells in the intestine. Being located so close to such cells, it is even able to communicate with them.2
A Naturally Beneficial Bacterium
A large body of scientific research has shown that the presence of Akkermansia muciniphila in humans is associated with better health.1
Studies1-8 have found Akkermansia muciniphila to be positively associated with:
- A healthy gut lining
- Reduced metabolic disorders
- Decreased low-grade inflammation
While Akkermansia muciniphila is highly abundant in lean and non-diabetic individuals, it has been found to be lower in those with conditions such as obesity, diabetes, intestinal inflammation, liver diseases, or chronic alcohol consumption.
High levels of Akkermansia muciniphila have been found to decrease insulin resistance and cardiometabolic risk factors, including resistance, serum lipids, BMI and adiposity, while increasing the presence of protective markers such as high-density lipoprotein (or "good" cholesterol).4
Akkermansia muciniphila's Most Efficient Form
Akkermansia muciniphila needed to be cultured in large amounts in order to move from preclinical to clinical studies. As such, a synthetic medium was developed to enable high-yield cultures, and a preclinical model confirmed that Akkermansia muciniphila retains its efficacy when grown synthetically.
It has also been vital to ensure the stability of the bacteria in its transition from preclinical to clinical studies. As an anaerobic bacterium, Akkermansia muciniphila is highly sensitive to oxygen in its live form.
Our researchers discovered that pasteurization could stabilize Akkermansia muciniphila while also preserving its beneficial effects.
A purified membrane protein from Akkermansia muciniphila or the pasteurized bacterium improves metabolism in obese and diabetic mice, Plovier H. et al., Nature Medicine, 2016
The Benefits of Pasteurization
Our research has clearly demonstrated that the pasteurized form of Akkermansia muciniphila MucT is more efficient than its live form—the unexpected conclusion was that pasteurization not only increases its stability and potential shelf life, but increases its health benefits as well.
Pasteurized Akkermansia muciniphila MucT use reduced body weight and fat mass gain through several complementary mechanisms. It improved gut barrier function, while also increasing energy expenditure and excretion of energy in the feces.
This is highly unique compared to most other classic probiotic supplements on the market.
The Latest Findings
The Importance of the Gut Microbiome
The gut barrier manages what comes in and goes out of the gut, and when the function of the gut barrier is disturbed, the gut becomes more permeable, leading to "leaky gut."3
The Prevalence of Obesity & Diabetes
An imbalance in the gut microbiota can promote diet-induced obesity and metabolic complications through a variety of mechanisms.4
Understanding Irritable Bowel Syndrome
IBS is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder affecting the large intestine. It is believed around 1 in 10 people worldwide live with the condition.5
References
- Derrien M, Belzer C, de Vos WM (2017) Akkermansia muciniphila and its role in regulating host functions. Microb Pathog 106:171-181. doi:10.1016/j.micpath.2016.02.005.
- Cani PD, de Vos WM (2017) Next-Generation Beneficial Microbes: The Case of Akkermansia muciniphila. Front Microbiol 8:1765. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2017.01765.
- Cani, P. D., et al. (2007). "Metabolic endotoxemia initiates obesity and insulin resistance." Diabetes 56(7): 1761-1772.
- Everard, A., et al. (2013). "Cross-talk between Akkermansia muciniphila and intestinal epithelium controls diet-induced obesity." Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 110(22): 9066-9071.
- Dao, M.C., et al. (2016). "Akkermansia muciniphila and improved metabolic health during a dietary intervention in obesity: relationship with gut microbiome richness and ecology." Gut 65(3): 426-436.
- Depommier, C., et al. (2019). "Supplementation with Akkermansia muciniphila in overweight and obese human volunteers: a proof-of-concept exploratory study." Nat Med 25(7): 1096-1103.
- Cani, P. D., et al. (2022). "Akkermansia muciniphila: paradigm for next-generation beneficial microorganisms." Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 19(10): 625-637.
- A purified membrane protein from Akkermansia muciniphila or the pasteurized bacterium improves metabolism in obese and diabetic mice, Plovier H. et al. , Nature Medicine, 2016