“Gut microbiota is considered to be one of the important factors that maintain human health by regulating host metabolism.” An article in the Virulence journal provides a comprehensive look at Akkermansia muciniphila, which is found in abundance in the gut, regulates immune and metabolic functions, and protects gut health. In addition, A. muciniphila has shown positive effects on diabetes, obesity, and inflammatory and parasitic diseases. Found in the host gut, the abundant bacterium was shown in some studies to survive even in the systems of mice and humans on antibiotics. Data were sourced from various publications from September 2004 to June 2024.

In mice, A. muciniphila impacted the function of the gut barrier, affecting mucus layer thickness. It can play a role in host health promotions and intestinal barrier integrity. The Virulence review summarized studies, focusing on how changes to A. muciniphila levels influenced diseases. So far, studies on A. muciniphila have been mostly animal experiment based. The authors say, “further research should focus on its safety and effectiveness in the treatment or prevention of diseases. More importantly, the function and mechanism of action of A.muciniphila in different diseases are still poorly understood, and further research is needed for its application in clinical diseases.”