Latest news with #DiegoBohórquez
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Scientists May Have Found Humanity's Sixth Sense—In Our Gut
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Here's what you'll learn when you read this story: A new study says that the organisms in our gut have more direct influence on our actions that we previously thought. Scientists analyzed an ancient protein called flagellin, released from the tail of bacteria (known as the flagella), and found that the gut's neuropods could sense this protein, triggering an appetite-suppressing response. The research team hopes that a greater understanding of what impacts the microbiome could help experts develop treatments for obesity and psychiatric disorders. Science textbooks typically describe humans as having five senses—seeing, smelling, hearing, seeing, and touching. While it's true these are the most outward and obvious senses, they're far from the only ones. For one, there's proprioception, which describes the body's ability to sense its position and movement in space—that may not seem like a big deal, but if you live without it, poor balance is only the beginning of your problems. And now, a new study led by scientists at Duke University suggests that there's yet another sense lurking in our gut. This is the home of the microbiome—a collection of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and archaea that impact our immune system, our digestion, and even our mental health. And it's within this microbiome that bacterial flagella (the tail-like structure bacteria use to swim) release an ancient protein known as 'flagellin.' This new study, published yesterday in the journal Nature, describes the flagellin as the method through which neuropods, essentially neurons in your gut, regulate appetite. According to the scientists, neuropods contain a receptor known as 'toll-like receptor 5,' or TLR5, which then sends impulses to the brain via the vagus nerve—the gut-brain information highway that is also the longest nerve of the body's autonomic nervous system. This shows how microbes living in our gut can communicate with the human brain. 'We were curious whether the body could sense microbial patterns in real time and not just as an immune or inflammatory response,' Diego Bohórquez, the senior author of the study from Duke University, said in a press statement, 'but as a neural response that guides behavior in real time.' To test the idea, scientists fasted mice overnight, and when supplied with a dose of flagellin to the colon, the mice ate less than expected. When the same experiment was conducted with mice that lacked the TLR5 receptor, the mice ate their fill and quickly gained weight. This suggests that this microbe-to-brain communication pathway plays a role in giving humans—and other mammals—the 'I'm full' sense. This is what the researchers call our 'neurobiotic sense,' and it very well could be our sixth sense. Or, maybe seventh? Or eighth? We've lost count. Of course, the microbiome is an immensely chaotic environment, containing some 100 trillion microbial cells that can all be influenced by diet, lifestyle, and environment. The next step for the scientists is to figure out what diets change the microbiome and in what ways. 'Looking ahead, I think this work will be especially helpful for the broader scientific community to explain how our behavior is influenced by microbes,' Bohórquez said in a press statement. 'That could be a key piece of the puzzle in conditions like obesity or psychiatric disorders.' You Might Also Like The Do's and Don'ts of Using Painter's Tape The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life? Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Your colon's got a ‘sixth sense' — here's how it can lead to weight loss
Talk about a 'gut feeling.' New research from Duke University highlights the role of neuropods, specialized sensory cells in the colon that act like taste buds for the gut. Neuropods 'sample' nutrients like sugars and bacterial byproducts and quickly send signals to the brain, guiding food choices and even influencing when it's time to stop eating. Researchers call the phenomenon 'neurobiotic sense' — a 'hidden sixth sense.' They hope it paves the way for new obesity treatments and provides insight into mental health disorders affected by diet. 'It's similar to how we use our other senses — sight, sound, smell, taste and touch — to interpret our world,' the study authors said. 'But this one operates from an unexpected place: The gut.' Scientists have long known about the gut-brain connection, the major communication highway that affects digestion, mood and overall well-being. For their part, the colon's neuropod cells can warn the brain of bacterial intruders. The new Duke study — published Wednesday in the journal Nature — focuses on flagellin, a key structural protein that enables bacteria to move. Some of our gut bacteria release flagellin when we eat. Neuropod cells use a special receptor called TLR5 to recognize flagellin and relay the information through the vagus nerve — the main link between the gut and the brain. The researchers examined how this works in mice. They had one set of mice fast overnight before giving them a small dose of flagellin from Salmonella Typhimurium, a well-studied type of bacteria that causes infections. The mice ate less. They repeated these steps with mice that had their TLR5 receptor 'knocked out.' These mice continued to eat and ended up gaining weight because the brain couldn't pick up on the flagellin signal. No other changes to the mice's behavior were detected. The results suggest that TLR5 helps tell the brain that it's time to put down the fork. The brain doesn't get the memo without the receptor. 'If we disrupt this pathway, then the animals end up eating a little bit more for a little bit longer,' Duke School of Medicine neuroscientist Diego Bohórquez told The Post. Bohórquez previously demonstrated that neuropod cells in the gut can distinguish between real sugar and artificial sweeteners. The cells communicate this information to the brain, driving the preference for sugar. 'Looking ahead, I think this work will be especially helpful for the broader scientific community to explain how our behavior is influenced by microbes,' said Bohórquez, a professor of medicine and neurobiology and senior study author. 'One clear next step is to investigate how specific diets change the microbial landscape in the gut,' he added. 'That could be a key piece of the puzzle in conditions like obesity or psychiatric disorders.' Bohórquez said that future research should also address the effect of bacterial strains beyond Salmonella Typhimurium and explore whether antibiotics or probiotics can influence this neurobiotic sense. Solve the daily Crossword
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Scientists discover how you can turn on your body's natural Ozempic to lose weight without the nasty side effects
Your body's gut bacteria has its very own Ozempic-like system, a study suggests, and scientists believe manipulating it could ramp up weight loss without the drug's nasty side effects. Researchers from Duke University in North Carolina have discovered specialized bacteria and cells in the colon that can send signals to the brain to control how much you eat and curb appetite, similarly to how weight-loss drugs work. In the animal study, the scientists found that while eating, a gut bacteria known as flagella releases flagellin protein that then produces a hormone called PYY. When the body feels full or has reached food satisfaction, the PYY hormone alerts the colon's neurobiotic sense, a direct communication channel between the gut and nervous system, to let the brain know to stop eating in real time and prevent a person from consuming excessive calories. The scientists found that when this bacterial sensing system breaks down, people tend to eat more food and gain significantly more weight than people with a fully functioning system, which can lead to obesity. As a result, they concluded that this unique system naturally mimics the appetite-suppressing effects of GLP-1 drugs in the body and can help control weight gain. They also believe that manipulating the bacterial system and enhancing the natural communication, through certain diets or by taking prebiotics and probiotics, could help with weight loss. Senior author Diego Bohórquez, an associate professor of medicine and neurobiology at the university, said: 'Looking ahead, I think this work will be especially helpful for the broader scientific community to explain how our behavior is influenced by microbes.' He continued: 'We were curious whether the body could sense microbial patterns in real time and not just as an immune or inflammatory response, but as a neural response that guides behavior in real time.' The study, which was published in Nature, tested the gut mechanism on two groups of mice: one which had the receptors for the PYY hormone in their gut, known as TLR5, and another that did not. Both groups of mice fasted overnight and were given a small dose of flagellin directly into the colon the next day. The mice with TLR5 receptors in their gut ate less the next day, while those without consumed larger meals and gained more weight. The increased food consumption was seen in both male and female mice. While the results are yet to be replicated in humans, the scientists concluded that the flagellin could trigger cells in the gut to send an appetite-suppressing signal to the brain. According to the researchers, the key player in the system is flagellin. When excessive amounts of food are consumed, the gut bacteria releases high amounts of flagellin in the colon, which in turn sends more urgent signals to the brain to stop eating. The scientists noted that without the TLR5 receptors and the gut's 'We've had enough' signal, the person continues to eat without realizing they are full. The results indicated that the presence of TLR5 receptors in the gut's cells and the production of the PYY hormone act as the body's natural 'stop eating' signal. The study authors wrote: 'It's similar to how we use our other senses – sight, sound, smell, taste and touch – to interpret our world. But this one operates from an unexpected place: The gut.' Based on these results, the scientists hope to further understand how the gut detects microbes and can influence everything from eating habits to mood. Popular weight-loss drugs such as semaglutide (Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) target brain chemistry and suppressing appetite, but they can also lead to long-term side effects and damage to vital organs such as the liver, kidneys and thyroid. However, the discovery of the gut's 'sixth sense' of food consumption, as well as the possibility to increase the presence of flagella through diet changes or supplements, can help people naturally lose weight without suffering the extreme side effects of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Gut's sixth sense? Researchers say it may help you lose weight and boost brain power
It turns out that your gut might have a sense all its own. Researchers at Duke University have discovered that the colon is home to tiny, specialized cells called neuropods. These cells can sense what's happening inside your body, almost like taste buds, but for your gut. They pick up on things like sugars and signals from gut bacteria, then send fast messages straight to your brain. The idea is that your gut may have a 'sixth sense' that helps shape your cravings, when you feel full, and even how your brain works. Scientists are calling it the neurobiotic sense. And according to the researchers, this 'hidden sense' could lead to new treatments for obesity and brain-related disorders tied to diet. 'It's similar to how we use our other senses, sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch, to interpret our world,' the study authors said in a press release from Duke University. 'But this one operates from an unexpected place: The gut.' For a long time, doctors and scientists have talked about the gut-brain connection. It's known that the gut sends signals to the brain that affect mood, digestion, and how we feel overall. But the Duke study, published Wednesday in the journal Nature, reveals something more specific: how certain gut cells respond to bacterial activity and change behavior as a result. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is it better to shower in the morning or at night? Here's what a microbiologist says CNA Read More Undo What they found in mice The researchers focused on a protein called flagellin. Some types of bacteria in your gut release this protein when you eat. Flagellin helps bacteria move around. The special gut cells, neuropods, have a receptor called TLR5 that recognizes flagellin. When the cells spot it, they send a message to the brain through the vagus nerve. That's the main communication line between the gut and the brain. To understand how this works, the team studied mice. In one experiment, they let a group of mice go without food overnight. Then they gave them a small amount of flagellin from Salmonella Typhimurium, a bacterium known to cause infections. Those mice ate less than usual. Then they tried the same test on a group of mice that didn't have the TLR5 receptor. This group kept eating. They didn't get the message that they were full, and they gained more weight. Everything else about the mice stayed the same. Their activity and habits didn't change. That led to an important conclusion: The TLR5 receptor tells the brain when it's time to stop eating. Without it, that signal doesn't arrive. 'If we disrupt this pathway, then the animals end up eating a little bit more for a little bit longer,' said Diego Bohórquez, a neuroscientist at Duke University's School of Medicine, in an interview with The New York Post . Bohórquez previously showed that these same neuropod cells can tell the difference between real sugar and fake sweeteners. They pass that information to the brain, which helps explain why we often prefer real sugar. 'Looking ahead, I think this work will be especially helpful for the broader scientific community to explain how our behavior is influenced by microbes,' said Bohórquez, who is also a professor of medicine and neurobiology and the senior author of the study.
New York Post
6 days ago
- Health
- New York Post
Your colon's got a ‘sixth sense' — here's how it can lead to weight loss
Talk about a 'gut feeling.' New research from Duke University highlights the role of neuropods, specialized sensory cells in the colon that act like taste buds for the gut. Neuropods 'sample' nutrients like sugars and bacterial byproducts and quickly send signals to the brain, guiding food choices and even influencing when it's time to stop eating. Advertisement 4 Duke University researchers report that bacterial flagellin in the colon can trigger neuropods to send a signal to the brain about suppressing appetite. antonivano – Researchers call the phenomenon 'neurobiotic sense' — a 'hidden sixth sense.' They hope it paves the way for new obesity treatments and provides insight into mental health disorders affected by diet. 'It's similar to how we use our other senses — sight, sound, smell, taste and touch — to interpret our world,' the study authors said. 'But this one operates from an unexpected place: The gut.' Advertisement Scientists have long known about the gut-brain connection, the major communication highway that affects digestion, mood and overall well-being. For their part, the colon's neuropod cells can warn the brain of bacterial intruders. 4 Neuropods are tiny sensor cells lining the epithelium of the colon (pictured here). Jo Panuwat D – Advertisement The new Duke study — published Wednesday in the journal Nature — focuses on flagellin, a key structural protein that enables bacteria to move. Some of our gut bacteria release flagellin when we eat. Neuropod cells use a special receptor called TLR5 to recognize flagellin and relay the information through the vagus nerve — the main link between the gut and the brain. The researchers examined how this works in mice. Advertisement They had one set of mice fast overnight before giving them a small dose of flagellin from Salmonella Typhimurium, a well-studied type of bacteria that causes infections. The mice ate less. 4 The researchers used the pathogen Salmonella Typhimurium (pictured here) to test the power of neuropod cells. AP They repeated these steps with mice that had their TLR5 receptor 'knocked out.' These mice continued to eat and ended up gaining weight because the brain couldn't pick up on the flagellin signal. No other changes to the mice's behavior were detected. The results suggest that TLR5 helps tell the brain that it's time to put down the fork. The brain doesn't get the memo without the receptor. 'If we disrupt this pathway, then the animals end up eating a little bit more for a little bit longer,' Duke School of Medicine neuroscientist Diego Bohórquez told The Post. 4 Duke School of Medicine neuroscientist Diego Bohórquez discovered neuropods years ago. Bohórquez previously demonstrated that neuropod cells in the gut can distinguish between real sugar and artificial sweeteners. Advertisement The cells communicate this information to the brain, driving the preference for sugar. 'Looking ahead, I think this work will be especially helpful for the broader scientific community to explain how our behavior is influenced by microbes,' said Bohórquez, a professor of medicine and neurobiology and senior study author. 'One clear next step is to investigate how specific diets change the microbial landscape in the gut,' he added. 'That could be a key piece of the puzzle in conditions like obesity or psychiatric disorders.' Bohórquez said that future research should also address the effect of bacterial strains beyond Salmonella Typhimurium and explore whether antibiotics or probiotics can influence this neurobiotic sense.
