Intestinal Ffar4 expression influences sugar preference via its interaction with gut microbiota, particularly the bacterium Bacteroides vulgatus.
Pantothenate, produced by Bacteroides vulgatus, was found to enhance the secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a hormone known to influence appetite and energy metabolism.
GLP-1 stimulated the release of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) from the liver, which acts on the brain to suppress sugar preference, establishing a novel gut–liver–brain axis that governs dietary behavior.
Fasting blood glucose levels were inversely correlated with Ffar4 expression in diabetic patients, reinforcing its metabolic significance.
Selective Ffar4 agonists could be developed to fine-tune sugar preference without systemic side effects, and pantothenate-based therapies could also be explored.
This study marks a significant leap in our understanding of the molecular and microbial mechanisms underlying sugar preference, providing a robust framework for developing innovative strategies to combat diabetes and other metabolic disorders.
The discovery that Ffar4 regulates Bacteroides vulgatus abundance and pantothenate production underscores the microbiota’s central role in metabolic health.
GLP-1 and FGF21-based interventions could be explored for curbing sugar overconsumption, and probiotics engineered to produce high levels of pantothenate could serve as dietary supplements to regulate sugar preference.
This research also highlights the intricate relationship between genetics, microbiota, and dietary behavior.
Fasting blood glucose levels were inversely correlated with Ffar4 expression in diabetic patients, reinforcing its metabolic significance.