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Akkermansia muciniphila in neurological disorders: mechanisms and therapeutic potential via the gut-brain axis
Jingzhi Feng1,2,3, Xiaomin Hu2,3, Jiancheng Liu2,3
1School of Health Preservation and Rehabilitation, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
Abstract:
In recent years, the role of Akkermansia muciniphila (A. muciniphila) in neurological diseases has attracted increasing attention. As a probiotic, A. muciniphila is closely associated with host health, metabolism, and immunity, demonstrating therapeutic potential in various conditions such as obesity, atherosclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, and liver disorders. In the context of neurological diseases, A. muciniphila significantly influences the host brain through the microbiota-gut-brain axis (MGBA). This review summarizes the roles and mechanisms of A. muciniphila and its active components (e.g., the outer membrane protein Amuc_1100, extracellular vesicles AmEVs, and short-chain fatty acids SCFAs) in various neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), depression, cerebral palsy (CP), epilepsy (EP), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). It exerts protective effects by enhancing the intestinal barrier, regulating lipid metabolism, producing SCFAs, secreting neuroactive substances, and inhibiting neuroinflammation, thereby suggesting novel therapeutic avenues for neurological disorders. However, due to limited data from large-scale human clinical trials and the complexity of disease mechanisms and host-microbiota interactions, its clinical translation faces considerable challenges. Future efforts should focus on multicenter randomized controlled trials and in-depth mechanistic studies utilizing technologies such as metabolomics to facilitate evidence-based clinical application.
Insights
Akkermansia muciniphila (A. muciniphila) shows therapeutic potential for neurological diseases by influencing the microbiota-gut-brain axis. This beneficial bacterium enhances gut health and reduces neuroinflammation, offering new treatment avenues.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Neuroscience
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Akkermansia muciniphila (A. muciniphila) is a beneficial probiotic linked to host health, metabolism, and immunity.
- Emerging research highlights its association with various conditions, including obesity, metabolic disorders, and inflammatory diseases.
- The gut microbiota's influence on the brain via the microbiota-gut-brain axis (MGBA) is a growing area of study.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the roles and mechanisms of A. muciniphila and its components in neurological disorders.
- To explore the therapeutic potential of A. muciniphila for conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, depression, and autism spectrum disorder.
- To identify challenges and future directions for the clinical application of A. muciniphila in neurology.
Main Methods:
- Literature review summarizing existing research on A. muciniphila and neurological diseases.
- Analysis of studies investigating the mechanisms by which A. muciniphila influences the MGBA.
- Examination of the effects of A. muciniphila's active components, including Amuc_1100, AmEVs, and SCFAs.
Main Results:
- A. muciniphila exerts protective effects in neurological disorders through mechanisms like enhancing intestinal barrier function, regulating lipid metabolism, and producing SCFAs.
- It modulates neuroinflammation and secretes neuroactive substances, impacting brain health.
- Studies indicate potential benefits in conditions including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, depression, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, ASD, and ALS.
Conclusions:
- A. muciniphila presents promising therapeutic potential for a range of neurological disorders via the MGBA.
- Further research, including large-scale human clinical trials and mechanistic studies, is needed to overcome challenges in clinical translation.
- Focus on multicenter randomized controlled trials and metabolomics is crucial for evidence-based application.
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