Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 18, 2026

An Advanced Murine Model for Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis in Association with Type 2 Diabetes
10:17

An Advanced Murine Model for Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis in Association with Type 2 Diabetes

Published on: April 26, 2019

7.5K

Microbially Produced Acetate: A "Missing Link" in Understanding Obesity?

Chad M Trent1, Martin J Blaser2

  • 1Departments of Medicine and Microbiology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY 10016, USA.

Cell Metabolism
|July 14, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Microbially produced acetate (MPA) from gut bacteria signals the brain and pancreas, increasing insulin release after meals. This process promotes energy storage, contributing to diet-induced obesity.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiome research
  • Metabolic disease
  • Gut-brain axis

Background:

  • The gut microbiome is linked to obesity, but mechanisms remain unclear.
  • Host-microbial interactions in metabolic regulation require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the role of microbially produced acetate (MPA) in diet-induced obesity.
  • To elucidate the signaling pathways involved in MPA-mediated effects on energy metabolism.

Main Methods:

  • Investigated the impact of MPA on post-prandial insulin release.
  • Examined the integrated gut, brain, and pancreatic signaling network.

Main Results:

  • MPA was found to increase post-prandial insulin release.
  • Evidence suggests a sequential signaling cascade involving the gut, brain, and pancreas.

Conclusions:

  • Microbially produced acetate plays a role in regulating insulin secretion and energy retention.
  • The gut microbiome influences host metabolism through integrated signaling pathways.

More Related Videos

Quantitative Determination of De Novo Fatty Acid Synthesis in Brown Adipose Tissue Using Deuterium Oxide07:34

Quantitative Determination of De Novo Fatty Acid Synthesis in Brown Adipose Tissue Using Deuterium Oxide

Published on: May 12, 2023

1.6K
Author Spotlight: Illuminating New Avenues for Adipose Tissue Metabolism and Disease Prevention02:55

Author Spotlight: Illuminating New Avenues for Adipose Tissue Metabolism and Disease Prevention

Published on: October 6, 2023

2.1K

Related Concept Videos

Fates of Pyruvate01:20

Fates of Pyruvate

Pyruvate is the end product of glycolysis, where glucose is oxidized to pyruvate, simultaneously reducing NAD+ to NADH. Two molecules of ATP are also produced by substrate-level phosphorylation.
In aerobic organisms, pyruvate is metabolized via the citric acid cycle to produce reduced coenzymes NADH and FADH2. These coenzymes are then oxidized in the electron transport chain to produce ATP and, in the process, regenerate the NAD+ and FAD. As seen in some cell types and organisms, fermentation...
12.0K
Obesity01:24

Obesity

The Body Mass Index (BMI) is a numerical value derived from a person's weight and height, used to categorize individuals into weight ranges. It is calculated using the formula: weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared. Obesity is a health condition characterized by excessive accumulation of adipose tissue that poses health risks, often diagnosed with a BMI ≥ 30. This excess fat storage occurs when surplus dietary calories are converted into triglycerides and stored in...
1.5K
Overview of Fatty Acid Metabolism01:28

Overview of Fatty Acid Metabolism

Lipids also are sources of energy that power cellular processes. Like carbohydrates, lipids are composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, but these atoms are arranged differently. Most lipids are nonpolar and hydrophobic. Major types include fats and oils, waxes, phospholipids, and steroids.
Fatty acids are catabolized in a process called beta-oxidation, which takes place in the matrix of the mitochondria and converts their fatty acid chains into two-carbon units of acetyl groups. The acetyl...
37.6K
Microbial Fermentation01:23

Microbial Fermentation

Fermentation is a crucial anaerobic metabolic process that enables microbes to derive energy from sugar without relying on oxygen or an electron transport chain. This process is fundamental to various biological and industrial applications and is classified based on the metabolic products generated.Role of Pyruvate in FermentationPyruvate and its derivatives serve as key electron acceptors in fermentative pathways. The oxidation of NADH to regenerate NAD+ is essential for the continuation of...
1.8K
Lipid Catabolism01:25

Lipid Catabolism

Triglycerides serve as crucial long-term energy storage molecules in microorganisms, providing a dense source of metabolic energy. Their breakdown is mediated by lipases, which hydrolyze triglycerides into glycerol and free fatty acids. Each of these components follows distinct metabolic pathways, ultimately contributing to ATP synthesis and cellular energy homeostasis.Glycerol MetabolismGlycerol, released from triglyceride hydrolysis, is phosphorylated by glycerol kinase to form...
1.3K
Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Metabolism and Excretion01:20

Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Metabolism and Excretion

Drug metabolism, a critical process in the liver, involves two primary phases: Phase I reactions and Phase II conjugation. Obesity introduces significant alterations in this metabolic process, primarily due to fatty infiltration of the liver, leading to conditions such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This condition can modify the activities of both Phase I and II enzymes, impacting how drugs are metabolized in obese patients.Phase I metabolism sees variable effects across...
267