<i>Akkermansia muciniphila</i> ameliorates fatty liver through microbiota-derived α-ketoisovaleric acid metabolism and hepatic PI3K/Akt signaling.

ABSTRACT: Akkermansia muciniphila (Akk) has been shown to improve obesity via gut microbiota, while its effects on modulating gut fungi remain underexplored. This study investigates the effects of Akk on obese mice, focusing on gut fungi, metabolites, and hepatic lipid metabolism. We found that Akk treatment significantly modulated gut fungal diversity, enhanced gut immune responses, and improved fatty liver. Specifically, the abundance of harmful fungi Fusarium decreased. Subsequently, Akk improved hepatic lipid metabolism via the PI3K/Akt pathway, as determined by proteomics analysis. Additionally, an in vitro colonic organoid and microbiota co-culture system confirmed these effects by validating changes in key fungi and metabolites. Crucially, α-ketoisovaleric acid was identi

SUBMITTER: Liu C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12059670 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature