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Published on: July 31, 2019
Does Gut Microbial Methylglyoxal Metabolism Impact Human Physiology?
Oluwatomisono I Akinrimisi1, Kim Maasen2, Jean L J M Scheijen2,3
1Department of Experimental Vascular Medicine, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Science Institute, Amsterdam University Medical Center, location AMC, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
Methylglyoxal (MGO) is a highly reactive dicarbonyl associated with oxidative stress, inflammation, and chronic diseases, particularly diabetic vascular complications and atherosclerosis through the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). In the setting of human/host diseases, the formation of MGO has mainly been considered as the byproduct of glycolysis. Gut microbes play an important role in the development of cardiometabolic diseases. Here, we discuss a possibility that gut microbes can modulate the MGO pool within the host through (i) the alternation of the host metabolism, and (ii) direct MGO synthesis and/or detoxification by human commensal microorganisms. We also explore how dietary MGO impacts the composition of the gut microbiota and their potential role in modulating host health. This paradigm is highly innovative, with the current literature providing observations supporting this concept. Targeting the gut microbiome is emerging as an approach for treating cardiometabolic diseases through dietary, pre-, pro-, and postbiotic interventions, faecal microbiota transplantations, and the use of small molecule inhibitors of microbial enzymes. This can be a novel strategy to reduce MGO stress in the setting of cardiometabolic diseases and lowering the burden of diabetic complications and cardiovascular disease.
Insights
Gut microbes influence methylglyoxal (MGO) levels in the body by altering host metabolism and direct microbial synthesis or detoxification. Targeting the gut microbiome offers a novel strategy to reduce MGO stress and prevent cardiometabolic diseases.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Metabolic Health
- Oxidative Stress
Background:
- Methylglyoxal (MGO) is a reactive dicarbonyl linked to oxidative stress, inflammation, and chronic diseases like diabetic vascular complications and atherosclerosis.
- MGO formation is primarily attributed to host glycolysis, but the role of gut microbiota is increasingly recognized in cardiometabolic disease development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the capacity of gut microbes to modulate host methylglyoxal (MGO) levels.
- To investigate the impact of dietary MGO on gut microbiota composition and host health.
- To highlight the potential of targeting the gut microbiome for managing MGO-related stress in cardiometabolic diseases.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and conceptual discussion on the interplay between gut microbiota and MGO metabolism.
- Analysis of existing observations supporting the role of gut microbes in MGO modulation.
- Exploration of dietary MGO effects on microbiota and host health.
Main Results:
- Gut microbes can influence host MGO pools via host metabolism alteration and direct MGO synthesis or detoxification.
- Dietary MGO impacts gut microbiota composition, potentially affecting host health.
- The gut microbiome's role in MGO homeostasis presents an innovative paradigm.
Conclusions:
- Gut microbiota represent a significant, yet underappreciated, factor in host MGO regulation.
- Interventions targeting the gut microbiome (e.g., prebiotics, probiotics, FMT) offer a novel therapeutic strategy for reducing MGO stress.
- Modulating the gut microbiome may help mitigate diabetic complications and cardiovascular disease burden.
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