Scientists Discover a Way to Fully Restore Liver and Intestinal Health
Researchers from UC Davis Health have found that a molecule produced by gut bacteria of the Lactobacillus genus can help regenerate damaged liver tissue and heal intestinal walls after exposure to aflatoxins — toxic substances commonly found in peanuts, corn, and other crops. The findings were published in the journal mBio.
The compound is called 10-hydroxy-cis-12-octadecenoic acid (10-HSA). In mouse experiments, this molecule fully reversed liver and intestinal damage caused by aflatoxin B1. It restored the intestinal epithelial barrier, normalized bile acid levels, improved metabolic and detoxification functions of the liver, and stabilized immune processes in the gut.
10-HSA activates the PPARα protein, a key regulator of fat metabolism, and does so without the side effects associated with synthetic drugs.
Scientists hope to develop a safe dietary supplement based on this molecule to prevent and treat liver damage, especially in regions with high aflatoxin contamination in food. The research team plans to conduct clinical trials in humans with fatty liver disease and metabolic disorders.
This discovery could mark a new era of “microbiome-based medicine,” offering treatments that are both highly precise and safe.
