Forget what you know about bile because thats about to change, thanks to a discovery made by Michigan State University and published in the current issue of Nature.
Much of our knowledge about bile hasnt changed in many decades. Its produced in the liver, stored in our gall bladder and injected into our intestine when we eat, where it breaks down fats in our gut. In fact, the first bile acid was discovered in 1848, and the scientists who revealed the structure of bile acids in 1928 won the Nobel Prize. Thats a long time ago.
Since then, our understanding of the chemistry of bile production in the liver was that the cholesterol backbone of the bile acid structure is linked to the amino acids glycine or taurine to produce our primary bile acids, said Robert Quinn, assistant professor of biochemistry and molecular biology and Global Impact researcher, and lead author of the study. It begs the question of how the new bile acids weve discovered have remained hidden during the last 170 years of bile acid chemical research.
These new bile acids are not produced by our enzymes; theyre made by microbes in our gut. This discovery will change how medical textbooks address digestion, and it contributes to an ever-growing body of knowledge supporting the importance of the microbiome, the collective community of bacteria and other microorganisms living in our guts.
Quinns team, comprised of scientists from MSU, the University of California San Diego and a number of collaborating institutions, showed that microbes in the gut, members of the microbiome, produce unique bile acids by conjugating the cholesterol backbone with myriad other amino acids.
This represents a fifth mechanism of bile acid metabolism by the microbiome that greatly expands our understanding of mammalian bile.
While much of the study was conducted in mice, these novel bile acids were also found in humans. And heres the kicker that will guide future research: Theyre particularly abundant in the guts of people suffering with gastrointestinal diseases, such as Crohns disease and cystic fibrosis.
These molecules can alter signaling pathways in the human gut that result in a reduction of overall bile acid production, representing a new mechanism where our gut bacteria can manipulate our own physiology, Quinn said.
While the disease connection is an intriguing line of research, this is merely one aspect being pursued by Quinns lab.
Clearly, our understanding of these compounds is in its infancy, Quinn said. This exciting new discovery opens more questions than answers about these compounds and their role in our health.
(Note for media: Please include a link to the original paper in online coverage: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-2047-9)
Excerpt from:
New bile discovery will rewrite textbooks - MSUToday
- Ofquack to regulate herbal medicine? [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 6th, 2010]
- The FIH have appointed a (former?) supporter of AIDS denialism as Chief Executive [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 12th, 2010]
- Back Quacks Whacked, Singh Wins [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 16th, 2010]
- Financial irregularities at the FIH? [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 21st, 2010]
- Statement from the Society of Homeopaths on the departure of Paula Ross [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2010]
- Voting [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 6th, 2010]
- Why am I using posterous and where will you find it on my blog? [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 22nd, 2010]
- Paranoia, conspiracies and leaks – are you now, or have you ever been a homeopath? [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 29th, 2010]
- David Tredinnick in quacks for questions [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 3rd, 2010]
- The lurking fear in Tredinnick’s Integrated Health Care debate [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 9th, 2010]
- Homeopathic Action Trust still funding unethical trials [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 12th, 2010]
- Sikora & al-Megrahi [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 17th, 2010]
- Insurance giants sponsor seminar by delusional homeopath [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 27th, 2010]
- Dore are in financial trouble – again [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: August 4th, 2010]
- Karol Sikora is a very confused man [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: August 17th, 2010]
- Politicians, their babies & MMR [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- Farewell to the RLHH, hello to the RLHIM [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- Homeopathy and the NHS in Scotland [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 11th, 2010]
- The UKIP MEP and Andrew Wakefield [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 13th, 2010]
- NICE & the Cancer Drugs Fund – politics based medicine [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 7th, 2010]
- The Nobel Prize winner and the unethical autism trial [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 11th, 2010]
- Homeopaths respond to the Abha Light Scandal [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 15th, 2011]
- Brian Haw and the false cures of quackery [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 19th, 2011]
- Prince Charles congratulates homeopaths who try to treat AIDS with homeopathy [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 3rd, 2011]
- Intro to Biochemistry 4130 [Last Updated On: August 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 27th, 2011]
- Aging and Rejuvenation: Chemistry and Biochemistry at Work [Last Updated On: August 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 27th, 2011]
- General Biochemistry Review [Last Updated On: August 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 27th, 2011]
- Wu Tang - Biochemical Equation (Datsik [Last Updated On: August 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 27th, 2011]
- Biochemistry Proves The Existence of God [Last Updated On: August 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 27th, 2011]
- MF DOOM ft RZA Biochemical Equation [Last Updated On: August 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 27th, 2011]
- Biochemistry- Clemson Graduate School [Last Updated On: August 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 27th, 2011]
- Ch 2 Water (Biochemistry) [Last Updated On: August 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 27th, 2011]
- Carbohydrates - Biochemistry [Last Updated On: August 31st, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 31st, 2011]
- Introduction to Biochemistry Lecture 1 of 4 [Last Updated On: August 31st, 2011] [Originally Added On: August 31st, 2011]
- Nerdcore Biochemistry Hip Hop [Last Updated On: September 17th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 17th, 2011]
- Bite-Sized Biochemistry #16: Carbohydrates I (Structure and Function) [Last Updated On: September 23rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 23rd, 2011]
- Biochemistry the Movie Part 2 [Last Updated On: September 23rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 23rd, 2011]
- Ch 17 Beta Oxidation part 1 (Biochemistry) [Last Updated On: September 23rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 23rd, 2011]
- Introduction to Biochemistry Lecture 2 of 4 [Last Updated On: September 23rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 23rd, 2011]
- Bite-Sized Biochemistry #3: Protein Structure I [Last Updated On: September 23rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 23rd, 2011]
- Bite-Sized Biochemistry #19: Cellular Signaling II [Last Updated On: September 23rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 23rd, 2011]
- Ch 21 Fatty Acid Synthesis part 1(Biochemistry) [Last Updated On: September 23rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 23rd, 2011]
- Ch 5 Hemoglobin part 1 (Biochemistry) [Last Updated On: September 23rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 23rd, 2011]
- Seminar Profiles - BSc Sport [Last Updated On: September 23rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 23rd, 2011]
- Get to Grips with Biochemistry (Glycolysis - Part 1) [Last Updated On: September 23rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 23rd, 2011]
- Cytochrome P450: Radicals in a Biochemical Setting [Last Updated On: September 23rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 23rd, 2011]
- Biochemistry and Biophysics Career Overview [Last Updated On: September 23rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 23rd, 2011]
- PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY OF ANIMAL FOODS 101 (Cholesterol, Saturated Fat, Etc) #319 [Last Updated On: September 23rd, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 23rd, 2011]
- Ch 3 Amino Acids part 1 (Biochemistry) [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2011]
- Biochemistry the Movie Part 1 [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2011]
- Smith: General, Organic, [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2011]
- Bite-Sized Biochemistry #53 - Immune System [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2011]
- Six Degrees: from Kevin Bacon to Biochemistry [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2011]
- Introduction to Biochemistry [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2011]
- DUBSurce - Biochemical eagles [FREE DOWNLOAD] [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2011]
- Ch 15 Glycolysis Regulation part 4 (Biochemistry) [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2011]
- Human Biochemistry - Allosteric Enzymes [Last Updated On: September 24th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 24th, 2011]
- Water, Acids, and Buffers in Biochemistry, Part 1 of 8 [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2011]
- The Work of a Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory (Part 1 of 2) [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2011]
- Krebs Cycle Song: Musical Biochemistry! [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2011]
- Ch 3 Amino Acids part 2 (Biochemistry) [Last Updated On: September 25th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 25th, 2011]
- Alcohol Fermentation and the Dawn of Biochemistry [Last Updated On: September 26th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 26th, 2011]
- Ch 4 Protein Structure part 1 (Biochemistry) [Last Updated On: September 26th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 26th, 2011]
- Bite-Sized Biochemistry #45 - Transcription I (RNA Synthesis) [Last Updated On: September 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 27th, 2011]
- Kaplan's USMLE Step 1 Program Preview: Biochemistry [Last Updated On: September 27th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 27th, 2011]
- Bite-Sized Biochemistry #47 - Transcription III / Translation I [Last Updated On: September 28th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 28th, 2011]
- Bite-Sized Biochemistry #22 - Glycolysis II / Carbohydrate Metabolism [Last Updated On: September 29th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 29th, 2011]
- Bite-Sized Biochemistry #39 - Nucleotide Metabolism I [Last Updated On: September 30th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 30th, 2011]
- Bite-Sized Biochemistry #48 - Translation II (Protein Synthesis) [Last Updated On: September 30th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 30th, 2011]
- Biochemical tests of bacteria [Last Updated On: September 30th, 2011] [Originally Added On: September 30th, 2011]
- Chinese Crossfire - Biochemical Desert [De_Dust2] [Last Updated On: October 1st, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2011]
- Holistic Biochemistry of Cannabinoids by Robert Melamede (part 1 of 5) [Last Updated On: October 4th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- Ch 12 Signaling part 1(Biochemistry) [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2011]
- Bite-Sized Biochemistry #8: Protein Structure and Hemoglobin [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2011]
- I Love My Major: Biochemistry [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2011]
- A biochemical rheostat controls cell death using protein-protein interaction Bim Mcl1 [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2011]
- Lecture - 4 Protein structure II [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2011]
- Bite-Sized Biochemistry #1: Basics [Last Updated On: October 7th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2011]
- Scope of Biochemistry - Will I get a job ? [Last Updated On: October 9th, 2011] [Originally Added On: October 9th, 2011]
- Scope of Biochemistry - Will I get a job ? [Last Updated On: August 17th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 9th, 2011]