During the Ri.MED Symposium 2024, held recently in Palermo (Italy) Microbiomepost conducted an exclusive interview with Björn O. Schröder from Umeå University.
The interview explores groundbreaking research on the gut mucus layer, which shields intestinal tissues from bacterial invasion and inflammation.
The study examines how dietary fiber intake influences the composition and function of the microbiome in humans, specifically focusing on its effect on mucus function. In a high-fiber diet intervention, human stool samples collected before and after increased fiber intake were transplanted into mice.
Results revealed that mice receiving post-intervention microbiota showed enhanced mucus integrity, linked to an increase in the bacterium Bloutia. Further experiments indicated that Bloutia produces short-chain fatty acids, including acetate and propionate, which stimulate mucus secretion through the FFR2 receptor.
These findings suggest the potential of Bloutia as a next-generation probiotic for gut health, though further research is required to enhance its stability and efficacy.
