Imperial College London Identifies Gut Microbe Molecule with Potential to Transform Diabetes Treatment
Researchers at Imperial College London, in collaboration with international partners, have discovered a molecule produced by gut microbes that shows promise in improving insulin sensitivity and controlling blood sugar levels. This molecule, trimethylamine (TMA), is produced when gut bacteria metabolize dietary choline. The study, published in Nature Metabolism, highlights TMA's potential to act as a natural inhibitor of IRAK4, a protein involved in inflammatory processes. By binding to IRAK4, TMA reduces inflammation and enhances the body's insulin response. This discovery could signal a shift from traditional diabetes treatments, which focus on managing symptoms, to addressing the root causes of insulin resistance and metabolic imbalance.