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Sucrose-preferring gut microbes prevent host obesity by producing exopolysaccharides.

Authors :
Shimizu, Hidenori
Miyamoto, Junki
Hisa, Keiko
Ohue-Kitano, Ryuji
Takada, Hiromi
Yamano, Mayu
Nishida, Akari
Sasahara, Daiki
Masujima, Yuki
Watanabe, Keita
Nishikawa, Shota
Takahashi, Sakura
Ikeda, Takako
Nakajima, Yuya
Yoshida, Naofumi
Matsuzaki, Chiaki
Kageyama, Takuya
Hayashi, Ibuki
Matsuki, Akari
Akashi, Ryo
Source :
Nature Communications; 1/29/2025, Vol. 16 Issue 1, p1-16, 16p
Publication Year :
2025

Abstract

Commensal bacteria affect host health by producing various metabolites from dietary carbohydrates via bacterial glycometabolism; however, the underlying mechanism of action remains unclear. Here, we identified Streptococcus salivarius as a unique anti-obesity commensal bacterium. We found that S. salivarius may prevent host obesity caused by excess sucrose intake via the exopolysaccharide (EPS) –short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) –carbohydrate metabolic axis in male mice. Healthy human donor-derived S. salivarius produced high EPS levels from sucrose but not from other sugars. S. salivarius abundance was significantly decreased in human donors with obesity compared with that in healthy donors, and the EPS–SCFA bacterial carbohydrate metabolic process was attenuated. Our findings reveal an important mechanism by which host–commensal interactions in glycometabolism affect energy regulation, suggesting an approach for preventing lifestyle-related diseases via prebiotics and probiotics by targeting bacteria and EPS metabolites. While diet is essential for daily nutrient acquisition, excessive intake of sugar-rich foods drives obesity and related health issues like diabetes. Here, the authors show that commensal bacterium S. salivarius curbs obesity by transforming dietary sugars into beneficial compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20411723
Volume :
16
Issue :
1
Database :
Complementary Index
Journal :
Nature Communications
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
182537298
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-56470-0