Gut Bacteria Influences Fat Absorption

12 Sep 2016 --- The amount of bacteria in the gut could influence how the body absorbs fat, a new study from the University of Cincinnati has found. The research lends additional insight into how bacteria in the gut, or lack thereof, influences intestinal mast cells (MMC) activation and fat absorption.

The study's principal investigator Patrick Tso, PhD, Mary Emery Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the UC College of Medicine, explained, “A change in the absorption of fat is very important for the development of obesity studies.”

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) overweight and obesity are risk factors for Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and other health problems.

The study, funded by the NIH, saw Tso and his team compare intestinal fat absorption and mast cell activation in rodents placed on antibiotics to clear their systems of bacteria, as well as a control group. They then introduced lipids to both groups.

"Our results suggest that the presence of gut microbiota is involved in MMC activation, induced by the ingestion of fat, and contributes to fat-induced permeability," explained Tso, adding that the study also found a "novel role of the gut microbiome in the promoting the absorption of lipid."

Mast cells are intimately involved with the immune system in the body. They come from bone marrow and go into all tissues of the body. Each mast cell contains secretory granules, like storage sacs, containing powerful biologically active molecules called mediators. These can be secreted when mast cells are activated, leading to allergic and inflammatory responses.

The team detailed how mast cells also play a key role in the defense of the gastrointestinal tract against foreign organisms, and while the absorption of fat is actually associated with mucosal mast cell activation, it is not known exactly what role the gut bacteria plays.

Tso added, "This effect is specific to fat, since the absorption of carbohydrates or protein does not activate mucosal mast cells."