“TL;DR: Christensenella bacteria, part of the gut microbiota, have emerged as a potential ally in weight management. Found in the human gut, these bacteria, especially Christensenella minuta, are associated with a leaner body type and improved metabolic health. Research suggests they may prevent weight gain by altering metabolism and enhancing gut health, though most evidence comes from animal studies and human observational data. Studies show Christensenella minuta can reduce weight gain in mice on high-fat diets without changing food intake, suggesting it affects how the body processes energy. It may lower levels of hormones like leptin and resistin, which are linked to fat storage and insulin resistance. Additionally, Christensenella increases gut microbiota diversity and strengthens the gut barrier, potentially reducing inflammation associated with obesity. Given its association with leanness, Christensenella minuta is being explored as a next-generation probiotic. Preliminary research highlights its potential to manage obesity and related conditions like metabolic syndrome, but more studies are needed to develop effective treatments for humans. Diet impacts Christensenella abundance. Diets rich in animal products may increase its presence, while low-protein diets may reduce it. This suggests that dietary changes could enhance the bacteria’s weight-loss benefits. While promising, the evidence is not conclusive. Most studies are preclinical or observational, and human trials are limited. The complex interplay of genetics, diet, and gut microbiota means results may vary between different people. Further research is needed to confirm Christensenella’s role and develop practical applications.”
Can Christensenella bacteria could be help prevent or reduce obesity (and consequently, cellulite) naturally?
Christensenella: the slimming bacteria
Christensenella bacteria and weight loss
Association of Christensenella bacteria with the ‘lean phenotype’ (slim body type)
Are Christensenella bacteria inherited?
How do Christensenella bacteria help prevent obesity?
Christensenella bacteria reduce adiposity and metabolic markers
Christensenella improve Liver fat metabolism
Christensenella bacteria improve Gut microbiota (but bacteria populations)
Christensenella improve gut barrier integrity
Christensenella bacteria and our diet: meat and dairy, metabolic syndrome, probiotic effect and adipose tissue metabolism
Christensenella bacteria: limitations and future directions
Christensenella and weight loss: key points
Human genetics shape the gut microbiome (2014)
The Gut Microbiome Contributes to a Substantial Proportion of the Variation in Blood Lipids (2015)
Comprehensive analysis of the fecal microbiota of healthy Japanese adults reveals a new bacterial lineage associated with a phenotype characterized by a high frequency of bowel movements and a lean body type (2016)
Effects of Christensenella minuta lipopolysaccharide on RAW 264.7 macrophages activation (2018)
A taxonomic signature of obesity in a large study of American adults (2018)
Fecal microbiota and bile acid interactions with systemic and adipose tissue metabolism in diet-induced weight loss of obese postmenopausal women (2018)
The human gut bacteria Christensenellaceae are widespread, heritable, and associated with health (2019)
Regional distribution of Christensenellaceae and its associations with metabolic syndrome based on a population-level analysis (2020)
A New Strain of Christensenella minuta as a Potential Biotherapy for Obesity and Associated Metabolic Diseases (2021)
A keystone gut bacterium christensenella minuta-a potential biotherapeutic agent for obesity and associated metabolic diseases (2024)
Christensenella minuta, a new candidate next-generation probiotic: current evidence and future trajectories (2024)
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Christensenella: the slimming bacteria
It is now well known that gut bacteria influence our body weight and that faecal transplants can turn lean people into obese or - vice versa - they can save them obese people from otherwise incurable obesity.
Specifically, christensenella gut bacteria have been found to be more common in lean people than the overweight and obese and they are also highly inheritable from parent to child.
In the lab, christensenella minuta bacteria have turned obese mice into lean mice, and when they were transplanted into bacteria-free obese mice, they reversed their weight gain.
Scientists are now working to further determine the safety and efficacy of christensenella minuta on humans for possible future use as an anti-obesity therapy.
Read below our full analysis of this exciting subject.
Christensenella bacteria and weight loss
The gut microbiota, a complex community of microorganisms residing in the digestive tract, plays a significant role in human health, influencing metabolism, immune function, and weight regulation.
Among these microorganisms, the Christensenellaceae family, particularly Christensenella minuta, has gained attention for its association with a lean phenotype and potential anti-obesity effects.
Here we analyse findings from scientific literature to explore how Christensenella bacteria may contribute to weight loss, focusing on mechanisms, dietary influences, and probiotic potential.
Association of Christensenella bacteria with the ‘lean phenotype’ (slim body type)
Multiple studies have identified a strong correlation between Christensenellaceae abundance and lower body mass index (BMI):
A seminal study in 2014 (Human genetics shape the gut microbiome) analysed over 1,000 fecal samples from the TwinsUK population and found that Christensenellaceae was more abundant in men and women with lower BMI, forming co-occurrence networks with other heritable bacteria.
A Japanese study in 2016 (Comprehensive analysis of the fecal microbiota of healthy Japanese adults reveals a new bacterial lineage associated with a phenotype characterized by a high frequency of bowel movements and a lean body type), identified a bacterial lineage, later associated with Christensenellaceae, linked to a lean body type and frequent bowel movements, reinforcing the connection to weight management.
Similarly, a study in 2028 (A taxonomic signature of obesity in a large study of American adults) assessed 599 American adults and reported decreased Christensenellaceae abundance in obese people (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²) compared to those with healthy weight, suggesting a taxonomic signature of obesity.
Additionally, a paper in 2019 (The human gut bacteria Christensenellaceae are widespread, heritable, and associated with health) noted that Christensenellaceae’s inverse relationship with BMI is one of the most consistent microbial associations with metabolic health across populations.
Are Christensenella bacteria inherited?
The abundance of the Christensenellaceae family of bacteria in the gut is significantly influenced by our genetics. The ‘Human genetics shape the gut microbiome’ of 2014 demonstrated that Christensenellaceae is highly heritable, with its presence shaped by genetic factors more than environmental ones in some populations.
This heritability suggests that people with a genetic predisposition for higher Christensenellaceae abundance may naturally maintain a leaner physique.
The study also found that Christensenellaceae forms networks with other heritable microbes, such as methanogenic Archaea, which may enhance its metabolic effects. This genetic link complicates the application of Christensenella-based interventions, as efficacy may vary based on an individual’s genetic profile.
How do Christensenella bacteria help prevent obesity?
Preclinical studies provide detailed insights into how Christensenella minuta may contribute to weight loss.
A 2021 study (A New Strain of Christensenella minuta as a Potential Biotherapy for Obesity and Associated Metabolic Diseases) investigated the anti-obesity potential of C. minuta DSM33407 in a diet-induced obesity mouse model.
The study found that daily administration of 2 × 10 billion CFU prevented weight gain and hyperglycaemia in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) without altering food intake.
This suggests that C. minuta influences metabolic pathways rather than appetite.
A 2024 study (Christensenella minuta, a new candidate next-generation probiotic: current evidence and future trajectories) corroborated these findings, noting that C. minuta’s ability to limit HFD-related microbial shifts and enhance gut barrier function contributes to its anti-obesity effects.
Additionally, a study in 2015 (The gut microbiome contributes to a substantial proportion of the variation in blood lipids) identified 34 bacterial taxa, including Christensenellaceae, associated with BMI and blood lipid levels, explaining 4.5% of BMI variance and 6% of triglyceride variance, independent of age, sex, and genetics.
The key findings are presented below.
Christensenella bacteria reduce adiposity and metabolic markers
Christensenella minuta reduce fat mass accumulation, normalise fasting blood glucose, and decrease circulating levels of leptin and resistin, hormones linked to fat storage and insulin resistance.
Christensenella improve Liver fat metabolism
The bacteria lowered hepatic triglycerides and free fatty acids (FFA), with a significant repression of the glucokinase (Gck) gene, which regulates lipogenesis.
Christensenella bacteria improve Gut microbiota (but bacteria populations)
In both mouse and humanised Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME®) models, Christensenella minuta increased microbial diversity, restored the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, and boosted short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production (e.g., acetate, butyrate, propionate), which are known to regulate metabolism.
Christensenella improve gut barrier integrity
C. minuta upregulate tight junction proteins (Ocln, Zo1), enhancing gut barrier function and potentially reducing systemic inflammation associated with obesity.
Christensenella bacteria and our diet: meat and dairy, metabolic syndrome, probiotic effect and adipose tissue metabolism
Diet significantly affects Christensenellaceae abundance and its potential weight-loss benefits.
For example, diets high in animal products, including dairy, increase Christensenellaceae abundance, while low-protein diets reduce it (The human gut bacteria Christensenellaceae are widespread, heritable, and associated with health).
The consistent association between Christensenellaceae and leanness has spurred interest in C. minuta as a next-generation probiotic.
The study ‘Christensenella minuta, a new candidate next-generation probiotic: current evidence and future trajectories’ reviewed its potential, highlighting its benefits in preclinical models and its safety profile, though challenges remain in commercial production and human application.
The study ‘A Keystone Gut Bacterium Christensenella minuta-A Potential Biotherapeutic Agent for Obesity and Associated Metabolic Diseases’ described C. minuta as a keystone gut bacterium, emphasising its role in maintaining microbial balance and preventing obesity-related dysbiosis.
The study ‘The human gut bacteria Christensenellaceae are widespread, heritable, and associated with health’ further supported its therapeutic potential, noting its associations with health outcomes beyond obesity, such as inflammatory bowel disease.
Christensenellaceae’s role extends to metabolic syndrome, a condition closely linked to obesity. The study ‘Regional distribution of Christensenellaceae and its associations with metabolic syndrome based on a population-level analysis’ looked at 4,781 Chinese individuals and found that higher Christensenellaceae abundance correlated with increased microbial diversity and reduced metabolic syndrome markers, such as insulin resistance and dyslipidemia.
Similarly, the study ‘Fecal microbiota and bile acid interactions with systemic and adipose tissue metabolism in diet-induced weight loss of obese postmenopausal women found’ that changes in fecal microbiota, including Christensenellaceae, during a very low-calorie diet in obese postmenopausal women correlated with improvements in adipose tissue metabolism and plasma metabolome, suggesting a role in weight-loss outcomes.
Christensenella bacteria: limitations and future directions
While the evidence is compelling, several limitations exist.
Most studies are preclinical (e.g., mouse models) or observational, limiting causal inferences in humans. The complex interplay of genetics, diet, and microbiota means that Christensenella’s effects may vary across individuals.
For instance, the seminal study that started it all (Human genetics shape the gut microbiome) noted that host genetics significantly influence Christensenellaceae abundance, which could affect probiotic efficacy.
Additionally, the study (Effects of Christensenella minuta lipopolysaccharide on RAW 264.7 macrophages activation) raised concerns about C. minuta’s lipopolysaccharide (LPS) potentially acting as a pathogen in certain limited cases, though its relevance to obesity treatment remains unclear.
Future research should focus on large-scale human clinical trials to validate C. minuta’s efficacy, optimal dosing, and safety as a probiotic, as well as its interactions with diverse dietary and genetic profiles.
Christensenella and weight loss: key points
Christensenella bacteria, particularly Christensenella minuta, are gut microbes associated with a lean phenotype and potential anti-obesity effects
The scientific literature strongly supports the potential of Christensenella bacteria, particularly C. minuta, in promoting weight loss and metabolic health
Its mechanisms include preventing weight gain, modulating gut microbiota, improving gut barrier function, and influencing metabolic markers like leptin and resistin
Dietary factors and genetics further shape its abundance and efficacy
As a candidate for next-generation probiotics, C. minuta holds promise for obesity management, but human clinical trials are essential to translate these findings into practical therapies
Human genetics shape the gut microbiome (2014)
Research paper link: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4255478/
Abstract: “Host genetics and the gut microbiome can both influence metabolic phenotypes. However, whether host genetic variation shapes the gut microbiome and interacts with it to affect host phenotype is unclear. Here, we compared microbiotas across >1,000 fecal samples obtained from the TwinsUK population, including 416 twin pairs. We identified many microbial taxa whose abundances were influenced by host genetics. The most heritable taxon, the family Christensenellaceae, formed a co-occurrence network with other heritable Bacteria and with methanogenic Archaea. Furthermore, Christensenellaceae and its partners were enriched in individuals with low body mass index (BMI). An obese-associated microbiome was amended with Christensenella minuta, a cultured member of the Christensenellaceae, and transplanted to germ-free mice. C. minuta amendment reduced weight gain and altered the microbiome of recipient mice. Our findings indicate that host genetics influence the composition of the human gut microbiome and can do so in ways that impact host metabolism.”
The Gut Microbiome Contributes to a Substantial Proportion of the Variation in Blood Lipids (2015)
Research paper link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26358192/
Abstract: Evidence suggests that the gut microbiome is involved in the development of cardiovascular disease, with the host-microbe interaction regulating immune and metabolic pathways. However, there was no firm evidence for associations between microbiota and metabolic risk factors for cardiovascular disease from large-scale studies in humans. In particular, there was no strong evidence for association between cardiovascular disease and aberrant blood lipid levels. To identify intestinal bacteria taxa, whose proportions correlate with body mass index and lipid levels, and to determine whether lipid variance can be explained by microbiota relative to age, sex, and host genetics. We studied 893 subjects from the Life-Lines-DEEP population cohort. After correcting for age and sex, we identified 34 bacterial taxa associated with body mass index and blood lipids; most are novel associations. Cross-validation analysis revealed that microbiota explain 4.5% of the variance in body mass index, 6% in triglycerides, and 4% in high-density lipoproteins, independent of age, sex, and genetic risk factors. A novel risk model, including the gut microbiome explained ≤ 25.9% of high-density lipoprotein variance, significantly outperforming the risk model without microbiome. Strikingly, the microbiome had little effect on low-density lipoproteins or total cholesterol. Our studies suggest that the gut microbiome may play an important role in the variation in body mass index and blood lipid levels, independent of age, sex, and host genetics. Our findings support the potential of therapies altering the gut microbiome to control body mass, triglycerides, and high-density lipoproteins.
Comprehensive analysis of the fecal microbiota of healthy Japanese adults reveals a new bacterial lineage associated with a phenotype characterized by a high frequency of bowel movements and a lean body type (2016)
Research paper link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27894251/
Abstract: In Japan, a variety of traditional dietary habits and daily routines have developed in many regions. The effects of these behaviors, and the regional differences in the composition of the gut microbiota, are yet to be sufficiently studied. To characterize the Japanese gut microbiota and identify the factors shaping its composition, we conducted 16S metagenomics analysis of fecal samples collected from healthy Japanese adults residing in various regions of Japan. Each participant also completed a 94-question lifestyle questionnaire. We collected fecal samples from 516 healthy Japanese adults (325 females, 191 males; age, 21-88). Heatmap and biplot analyses based on the bacterial family composition of the fecal microbiota showed that subjects' region of residence or gender were not strongly correlated with the general composition of the fecal microbiota. Although clustering analysis for the whole cohort did not reveal any distinct clusters, two enterotype-like clusters were observed in the male, but not the female, subjects. In the whole subject population, the scores for bowel movement frequency were significantly correlated with the abundances of Christensenellaceae, Mogibacteriaceae, and Rikenellaceae in the fecal microbiota (P < 0.001). These three bacterial families were also significantly more abundant (P < 0.05 or 0.01) in lean subjects (body mass index (BMI) < 25) than in obese subjects (BMI > 30), which is consistent with previously published results. However, a previously reported correlation between BMI and bowel movement frequency was not observed. In addition, the abundances of these three families were positively correlated with each other and comprised a correlative network with 14 other bacterial families. The present study showed that the composition of the fecal microbiota of healthy Japanese adults at the national level was not strongly correlated with subjects' area of residence or gender. In addition, enterotype partitioning was ambiguous in this cohort of healthy Japanese adults. Finally, the results implied that the abundances of Christensenellaceae, Mogibacteriaceae, and Rikenellaceae, along with several other bacterial components that together comprised a correlative network, contributed to a phenotype characterized by a high frequency of bowel movements and a lean body type.
Effects of Christensenella minuta lipopolysaccharide on RAW 264.7 macrophages activation (2018)
Research paper link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30290268/
Christensenella minuta (C. minuta) is a gram-negative gastrointestinal bacterium associated with weight loss. However, recent studies have shown that C. minuta might be a potential pathogen and thus limited its application in the control of obesity. Research into the genetic characteristics and pathogenicity of C. minuta remain elusive. As a major virulence factor of gram-negative bacteria, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can induce various diseases. In this study, we report the complete genome sequence of C. minuta and have also identified some genes related to LPS biosynthesis. The structure of C. minuta LPS, detected by SDS-PAGE, was different from that of Escherichia coli (E. coli) LPS. The incubation of RAW 264.7 macrophages with C. minuta LPS resulted in lower levels of cellular proliferation, phagocytosis and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activation as compared to incubation with E. coli LPS. Furthermore, the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, as well as nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species production, was induced in C. minuta LPS-treated cells but to a much lower extent than that by E. coli LPS. These findings show that C. minuta LPS acts as a weak agonist for RAW 264.7 macrophages and can only trigger a weak inflammatory response through the NF-κB signalling pathway. In conclusion, these results suggest that the toxicity of C. minuta LPS is significantly attenuated due to its atypical structure and weak agonist activity for RAW 264.7 macrophages.
A taxonomic signature of obesity in a large study of American adults (2018)
Research paper link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29950689/
Abstract: Animal models suggest that gut microbiota contribute to obesity; however, a consistent taxonomic signature of obesity has yet to be identified in humans. We examined whether a taxonomic signature of obesity is present across two independent study populations. We assessed gut microbiome from stool for 599 adults, by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. We compared gut microbiome diversity, overall composition, and individual taxon abundance for obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2), overweight (25 ≤ BMI < 30), and healthy-weight participants (18.5 ≤ BMI < 25). We found that gut species richness was reduced (p = 0.04), and overall composition altered (p = 0.04), in obese (but not overweight) compared to healthy-weight participants. Obesity was characterized by increased abundance of class Bacilli and its families Streptococcaceae and Lactobacillaceae, and decreased abundance of several groups within class Clostridia, including Christensenellaceae, Clostridiaceae, and Dehalobacteriaceae (q < 0.05). These findings were consistent across two independent study populations. When random forest models were trained on one population and tested on the other as well as a previously published dataset, accuracy of obesity prediction was good (~70%). Our large study identified a strong and consistent taxonomic signature of obesity. Though our study is cross-sectional and causality cannot be determined, identification of microbes associated with obesity can potentially provide targets for obesity prevention and treatment.
Fecal microbiota and bile acid interactions with systemic and adipose tissue metabolism in diet-induced weight loss of obese postmenopausal women (2018)
Research paper link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30176893/
Abstract: Microbiota and bile acids in the gastrointestinal tract profoundly alter systemic metabolic processes. In obese subjects, gradual weight loss ameliorates adipose tissue inflammation and related systemic changes. We assessed how rapid weight loss due to a very low calorie diet (VLCD) affects the fecal microbiome and fecal bile acid composition, and their interactions with the plasma metabolome and subcutaneous adipose tissue inflammation in obesity. We performed a prospective cohort study of VLCD-induced weight loss of 10% in ten grades 2-3 obese postmenopausal women in a metabolic unit. Baseline and post weight loss evaluation included fasting plasma analyzed by mass spectrometry, adipose tissue transcription by RNA sequencing, stool 16S rRNA sequencing for fecal microbiota, fecal bile acids by mass spectrometry, and urinary metabolic phenotyping by 1H-NMR spectroscopy. Outcome measures included mixed model correlations between changes in fecal microbiota and bile acid composition with changes in plasma metabolite and adipose tissue gene expression pathways. Alterations in the urinary metabolic phenotype following VLCD-induced weight loss were consistent with starvation ketosis, protein sparing, and disruptions to the functional status of the gut microbiota. We show that the core microbiome was preserved during VLCD-induced weight loss, but with changes in several groups of bacterial taxa with functional implications. UniFrac analysis showed overall parallel shifts in community structure, corresponding to reduced abundance of the genus Roseburia and increased Christensenellaceae;g__ (unknown genus). Imputed microbial functions showed changes in fat and carbohydrate metabolism. A significant fall in fecal total bile acid concentration and reduced deconjugation and 7-α-dihydroxylation were accompanied by significant changes in several bacterial taxa. Individual bile acids in feces correlated with amino acid, purine, and lipid metabolic pathways in plasma. Furthermore, several fecal bile acids and bacterial species correlated with altered gene expression pathways in adipose tissue. VLCD dietary intervention in obese women changed the composition of several fecal microbial populations while preserving the core fecal microbiome. Changes in individual microbial taxa and their functions correlated with variations in the plasma metabolome, fecal bile acid composition, and adipose tissue transcriptome.
The human gut bacteria Christensenellaceae are widespread, heritable, and associated with health (2019)
Research paper link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31660948/
Abstract: The Christensenellaceae, a recently described family in the phylum Firmicutes, is emerging as an important player in human health. The relative abundance of Christensenellaceae in the human gut is inversely related to host body mass index (BMI) in different populations and multiple studies, making its relationship with BMI the most robust and reproducible link between the microbial ecology of the human gut and metabolic disease reported to date. The family is also related to a healthy status in a number of other different disease contexts, including obesity and inflammatory bowel disease. In addition, Christensenellaceae is highly heritable across multiple populations, although specific human genes underlying its heritability have so far been elusive. Further research into the microbial ecology and metabolism of these bacteria should reveal mechanistic underpinnings of their host-health associations and enable their development as therapeutics.
Regional distribution of Christensenellaceae and its associations with metabolic syndrome based on a population-level analysis (2020)
Research paper link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32832265/
Abstract: The link between the gut microbiota and metabolic syndrome (MetS) has attracted widespread attention. Christensenellaceae was recently described as an important player in human health, while its distribution and relationship with MetS in Chinese population is still unknown. This study sought to observe the association between Christensenellaceae and metabolic indexes in a large sample of residents in South China. A total of 4,781 people from the GGMP project were included, and the fecal microbiota composition of these individuals was characterized by 16S rRNA sequencing and analyzed the relation between Christensenellaceae and metabolism using QIIME (Quantitative Insight Into Microbial Ecology, Version 1.9.1). The results demonstrated that microbial richness and diversity were increased in the group with a high abundance of Christensenellaceae, who showed a greater complexity of the co-occurrence network with other bacteria than residents who lacked Christensenellaceae. The enriched bacterial taxa were predominantly represented by Oscillospira, Ruminococcaceae, RF39, Rikenellaceae and Akkermansia as the Christensenellaceae abundance increased, while the abundances of Veillonella, Fusobacterium and Klebsiella were significantly reduced. Furthermore, Christensenellaceae was negatively correlated with the pathological features of MetS, such as obesity, hypertriglyceridemia and body mass index (BMI). We found reduced levels of lipid biosynthesis and energy metabolism pathways in people with a high abundance of Christensenellaceae, which may explain the negative relationship between body weight and Christensenellaceae. In conclusion, we found a negative correlation between Christensenellaceae and MetS in a large Chinese population and reported the geographical distribution of Christensenellaceae in the GGMP study. The association data from this population-level research support the investigation of strains within Christensenellaceae as potentially beneficial gut microbes.
A New Strain of Christensenella minuta as a Potential Biotherapy for Obesity and Associated Metabolic Diseases (2021)
Research paper link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33917566/
Abstract: Obesity is associated with gut microbiota dysbiosis, characterized by a high Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. Gut-dwelling bacteria of the Christensenellaceae family have been proposed to act as keystones of the human gut ecosystem and to prevent adipogenesis. The objectives of the present study were to demonstrate the antiobesity potential of a new strain of Christensenella minuta in preclinical models and explore related mechanisms of action. The antiobesity potential of C. minuta DSM33407 was assessed in a diet-induced obesity mouse model. Changes in hepatic lipid metabolism were explored using targeted transcriptomics. Effects on gut microbiota were further assessed in a humanized Simulator of the Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME®) model inoculated with obese fecal samples. Shotgun metagenomics was applied to study microbial community structures in both models. C. minuta DSM33407 protected from diet-induced obesity and regulated associated metabolic markers such as glycemia and leptin. It also regulated hepatic lipid metabolism through a strong inhibition of de novo lipogenesis and maintained gut epithelial integrity. In the humanized SHIME® model, these effects were associated with modulations of the intestinal microbiota characterized by a decreased Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. These data indicate that C. minuta DSM33407 is a convincing therapeutic candidate for the management of obesity and associated metabolic disorders.
A keystone gut bacterium christensenella minuta-a potential biotherapeutic agent for obesity and associated metabolic diseases (2024)
Research paper link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38274765/
Abstract: A new next-generation probiotic, Christensenella minuta was first discovered in 2012 from healthy human stool and described under the phylum Firmicutes. C. minuta is a subdominant commensal bacterium with highly heritable properties that exhibits mutual interactions with other heritable microbiomes, and its relative abundance is positively correlated with the lean host phenotype associated with a low BMI index. It has been the subject of numerous studies, owing to its potential health benefits. This article reviews the evidence from various studies of C. minuta interventions using animal models for managing metabolic diseases, such as obesity, inflammatory bowel disease, and type 2 diabetes, characterized by gut microbiota dysbiosis and disruption of host metabolism. Notably, more studies have presented the complex interaction between C. minuta and host metabolism when it comes to metabolic health. Therefore, C. minuta could be a potential candidate for innovative microbiome-based biotherapy via fecal microbiota transplantation or oral administration. However, the detailed underlying mechanism of action requires further investigation.
Christensenella minuta, a new candidate next-generation probiotic: current evidence and future trajectories (2024)
Research paper link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38274765/
Abstract: As the field of probiotic research continues to expand, new beneficial strains are being discovered. The Christensenellaceae family and its newly described member, Christensenella minuta, have been shown to offer great health benefits. We aimed to extensively review the existing literature on these microorganisms to highlight the advantages of their use as probiotics and address some of the most challenging aspects of their commercial production and potential solutions. We applied a simple search algorithm using the key words "Christensenellaceae" and "Christensenella minuta" to find all articles reporting the biotherapeutic effects of these microorganisms. Only articles reporting evidence-based results were reviewed. The review showed that Christensenella minuta has demonstrated numerous beneficial properties and a wider range of uses than previously thought. Moreover, it has been shown to be oxygen-tolerant, which is an immense advantage in the manufacturing and production of Christensenella minuta-based biotherapeutics. The results suggest that Christensenellaceae and Christensenella munita specifically can play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy gut microbiome. Furthermore, Christensenellaceae have been associated with weight management. Preliminary studies suggest that this probiotic strain could have a positive impact on metabolic disorders like diabetes and obesity, as well as inflammatory bowel disease. Christensenellaceae and Christensenella munita specifically offer immense health benefits and could be used in the management and therapy of a wide range of health conditions. In addition to the impressive biotherapeutic effect, Christensenella minuta is oxygen-tolerant, which facilitates commercial production and storage.
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