Health and Disease: Akkermansia muciniphila , the Shining Star of the Gut Flora

Abstract

Akkermansia muciniphila ( A. muciniphila ) has drawn much attention as an important gut microbe strain in recent years. A. muciniphila can influence the occurrence and development of diseases of the endocrine, nervous, digestive, musculoskeletal, and respiratory systems and other diseases. It can also improve immunotherapy for some cancers. A. muciniphila is expected to become a new probiotic in addition to Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium . An increase in A. muciniphila abundance through direct or indirect A. muciniphila supplementation may inhibit or even reverse disease progression. However, some contrary findings are found in type 2 diabetes mellitus and neurodegenerative diseases, where increased A. muciniphila abundance may aggravate the diseases. To enable a more comprehensive understanding of the role of A. muciniphila in diseases, we summarize the relevant information on A. muciniphila in different systemic diseases and introduce regulators of A. muciniphila abundance to promote the clinical transformation of A. muciniphila research.

Meta-analysis of the human gut microbiome uncovers shared and distinct microbial signatures between diseases

“…We did observe that Akkermansia muciniphila was differentially increased in all these disorders (PD, schizophrenia, and T2D) as well (Figure 3e). This finding is highly controversial in the literature, since previous studies have observed that Akkermansia muciniphila is both beneficial (53) and pathogenic (54). From our analysis, it is difficult to determine the causal role of Akkermansia muciniphila in these diseases.…”

Gut microbial community and fecal metabolomic signatures in different types of osteoporosis animal models

“…There were five genera related to bone metabolism between the DIO and CON groups, and the observed changes in g__Akkermansia abundance were unique in the DIO. In the gut microbiota, Akkermansia (Phylum Verrucomicrobia) influences the onset and progression of several diseases [ 49 ] and maintains intestinal barrier homeostasis [ 50 ]. The loss of Akkermansia impairs intestinal integrity, increases intestinal leakage, and, by extension, promotes metabolic endotoxemia, inflammation, and insulin resistance [ 51 ].…”

Research trends on the gut microbiota in endocrine metabolism: a thematic and bibliometric analysis

“…The WoSCC, recognized for its extensive interdisciplinary scope, hosts over 170 million articles from more than 250 academic disciplines (Shi et al, 2022). Specifically, the database hosts a significant volume of literature pertinent to our study, with a considerable number of articles and cited references directly related to gut microbiota research within the realm of endocrinology and metabolism (Zhang et al, 2022;Li C. et al, 2023;Xue et al, 2023;Takeuchi et al, 2023). Given the database's extensive usage and acclaim in scientometric research, it provides a solid basis for analyzing the trajectory of gut microbiota research in our field.…”

“…Within this context, specific bacterial species such as Akkermansia muciniphila have been identified for their distinctive roles in modulating metabolic pathways, thereby presenting potential targets for therapeutic intervention. This bacterium, residing in the mucus layer, enhances the thickness and integrity of the mucosal layer and contributes to the prevention of inflammation caused by disturbances in gut permeability (Xue et al, 2023). Furthermore, studies have linked the presence of Akkermansia muciniphila with favorable impacts on glucose metabolism, suggesting a negative correlation with markers of insulin resistance and obesity, thereby offering potential therapeutic avenues for metabolic disorders (Shi et al, 2022).…”