Researchers have found that gut bacteria produce a molecule that can slip into the bloodstream, driving the liver to make excess glucose and fat. This process may worsen conditions such as type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease.
The study behind the findings
The research, published in Cell Metabolism on July 29, was led by teams at McMaster University, Université Laval, and the University of Ottawa. They discovered that by trapping this bacterial molecule in the gut before it reaches the bloodstream, blood sugar control and liver health improved dramatically in mice with obesity.
A new twist on a classic cycle
“We’ve known for nearly a century that muscles and the liver exchange lactate and glucose — a process called the Cori cycle,” said Jonathan Schertzer, senior author and professor at McMaster University. “What we’ve discovered is a new branch of that cycle, where gut bacteria are also part of the conversation.”
The role of D-lactate
The Cori cycle, which won Carl and Gerty Cori the 1947 Nobel Prize, explained how muscles use lactate and the liver produces glucose in a constant exchange of fuel. However, this study showed that obese mice — and even people with obesity — have elevated levels of a lesser-known molecule, D-lactate. Unlike the muscle-derived L-lactate, D-lactate is mainly produced by gut microbes and appears to raise blood sugar and liver fat more aggressively.
The “gut trap” solution
To address this, the researchers developed a safe, biodegradable polymer that binds to D-lactate in the gut, preventing it from entering the bloodstream. In mice, this approach lowered blood glucose, reduced insulin resistance, and eased liver inflammation — all without requiring changes to diet or body weight.
Implications for future therapies
“This is a completely new way to think about treating metabolic diseases like type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease,” said Schertzer. “Instead of targeting hormones or the liver directly, we’re intercepting a microbial fuel source before it can do harm.”
What comes next
The research, supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, highlights a potential new therapeutic strategy that could one day lead to treatments for millions of people affected by metabolic diseases.
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