Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 8, 2026

Investigating the Alleviating Effects of Bacillus cereus Administration on Colitis through Gut Microbiota Modulation
Published on: July 27, 2022
Microbiota-derived IPA protects against colitis by regulating intestinal HMGCS2-mediated ketogenesis to facilitate
Yanan Zhang1, Shuyu Tu1,2, Xian Shao3
1Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
Abstract:
The gut microbiota sustains intestinal homeostasis, yet how microbial metabolites direct epithelial repair remains unclear. Here we identify indole-3-propionic acid (IPA), a tryptophan-derived bacterial metabolite, as a key regulator of mucosal healing. IPA activates PPARα in intestinal epithelial cells, enhancing transcription of the ketogenic enzyme HMGCS2 and boosting β‑hydroxybutyrate (BHB) production. BHB in turn stimulates LGR5⁺ intestinal stem cells, accelerating epithelial regeneration. Using germ-free models and the IPA‑producer Peptostreptococcus russellii, we show that dietary tryptophan and specific commensals sustain luminal IPA levels, which are critical for recovery in colitis. Restoration of IPA or BHB attenuates inflammation and barrier defects, outlining a microbiota‑metabolite‑stem cell axis that could be therapeutically targeted in inflammatory bowel disease and other barrier disorders.
More Related Videos
09:42Murine Endoscopy for In Vivo Multimodal Imaging of Carcinogenesis and Assessment of Intestinal Wound Healing and Inflammation
Published on: August 26, 2014
09:11Systematic Scoring Analysis for Intestinal Inflammation in a Murine Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Induced Colitis Model
Published on: February 14, 2021
Related Concept Videos
Drugs for Peptic Ulcer Disease: Sucralfate as Mucosal Protective Agents
In this scenario, mucosal protective agents like sucralfate play an essential role. Sucralfate, a complex of sulfated sucrose and aluminum hydroxide, demonstrates its usefulness in acidic conditions,...
Anatomy of the Intestines
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the...
Drugs for Peptic Ulcer Disease: Prostaglandin Analogs as Mucosal Protective Agents
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can induce peptic ulcers by inhibiting cyclooxygenase, decreasing...
Facilitated Transport
Facilitated Transport
Social Facilitation