Dr. Nuria Roda / Alberto Tejero
Research on the gut microbiota has gained increasing relevance due to its connection to metabolic and inflammatory diseases, as well as general well-being. Within this context, a microorganism has demonstrated efficacy in conditions extending beyond the gut. This is Akkermansia muciniphila MucT™, a strain used as a postbiotic that has emerged as a key microorganism for its ability to maintain gut barrier integrity and modulate inflammatory processes.
In recent years, research on the gut microbiota has gained growing importance, especially as its link to metabolic disorders, inflammatory conditions, and overall health is further understood. Within this framework, and after years of study, a bacterium has been isolated, identified, and characterized. Ultimately approved by the EFSA for human use, it has shown efficacy in conditions beyond the gastrointestinal tract. This is Akkermansia muciniphila MucT™, a strain that has stood out as a key microorganism for its ability to preserve gut barrier integrity and modulate inflammatory pathways.
However, interest in the microbiota has extended beyond its use as probiotics, driving the development of postbiotics—bioactive components derived from these microorganisms that deliver benefits without requiring the administration of live bacteria. The MucT™ strain is the most widely studied in the world, with over 3,000 publications in the last 5 years alone. Its pasteurized form retains functional proteins such as Amuc_1100, which is key to stimulating mucin production by colonic goblet cells and improving tightness and tight junctions between intestinal epithelial cells. Thus, the combination of scientific breakthroughs and growing demand for safe, effective solutions has placed A. muciniphila MucT™ at the forefront of health innovation—far beyond just gut health. Its properties are detailed below:
Gut Health and Intestinal Barrier
Numerous preclinical and clinical studies show that the pasteurized Akkermansia muciniphila MucT™ strain contributes to strengthening the intestinal barrier. This reinforcement is driven by several mechanisms. One primary factor is that, despite pasteurization, functional proteins like Amuc_1100 remain intact. These proteins stimulate the production of mucin—the main component of the protective intestinal mucus layer—and increase the expression of tight junction proteins like claudin-3 and occludin, which are essential for maintaining cohesion between enterocytes. Through this combined action, the strain helps reduce intestinal permeability (leaky gut), decreasing the translocation of endotoxins like LPS into the bloodstream, a process linked to low-grade systemic inflammation.
Regarding inflammation, studies indicate that A. muciniphila MucT™ can modulate local and systemic immune responses. Participating mechanisms include reducing inflammatory markers such as IL-6 and TNF-α, as well as circulating leukocyte counts. This contributes to lower innate immune system activation and a more controlled inflammatory state. This anti-inflammatory profile makes it a strain of interest for conditions characterized by intestinal mucosal inflammation. In fact, it serves as a valuable supportive tool in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), ulcerative colitis, or Crohn’s disease.
Preliminary human studies have shown improvements in digestive comfort, including reduced bloating and better intestinal tolerance. Meanwhile, animal models demonstrated benefits such as enhanced intestinal epithelial repair, reduced mucosal damage, and increased mucus layer thickness, offering protection against bacterial or chemical insults.
Metabolic Health (Glycemia and Dyslipidemia) and Weight Control
Studies suggest a promising profile for positively influencing insulin sensitivity, lipid profiles, and body weight and fat reduction in individuals with overweight/obesity and prediabetes. In a 3-month supplementation trial involving this population without lifestyle changes, participants showed a 34% reduction in circulating insulin, a 30% increase in insulin sensitivity, an average body weight loss of ~2.27 kg (~5 lbs), a fat mass loss of ~1.37 kg (~3 lbs), an 8.7% reduction in total plasma cholesterol, along with signs of improved liver markers and reduced systemic inflammation.
While the exact mechanism is not fully elucidated, hypotheses suggest it involves enhanced intestinal barrier integrity alongside reduced metabolic endotoxemia. Simultaneously, it may modulate the microbiota’s production of beneficial metabolites (such as short-chain fatty acids), which can improve insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolism.
Gut–Brain Axis (Irritable Bowel Syndrome [IBS], Stress, Well-being)
The gut–brain axis is a bidirectional communication network connecting the gut to the brain via neural pathways (such as the vagus nerve), as well as hormonal, immune, and metabolic signals. The microbiota plays a key role in this signaling; in fact, the microbiota of individuals with obesity is known to send signals to the brain that promote higher food intake.
A recent study using two animal models of IBS (one neonatal stress-induced and one post-infectious) observed a reduction in intestinal hypersensitivity/visceral pain and a reinforced intestinal barrier. Pain relief was accompanied by improved mucosal integrity, suggesting reduced “leaky gut”. Additionally, one model showed anxiolytic-like effects and improved emotional state, as well as direct inhibition of sensory neurons in in vitro studies with dorsal root ganglion neurons. These findings support the hypothesis that A. muciniphila can influence gut-nervous system communication, impacting visceral sensitivity, pain, emotional state, and potentially cognitive or memory functions.
Combining Akkermansia with Chromium
When supplementing with Akkermansia, combining it with chromium—especially as chromium picolinate—can be highly beneficial due to chromium’s role in glucose metabolism. Chromium helps improve insulin sensitivity, promoting better cellular glucose uptake, which translates into higher energy, reduced fatigue, and fewer hunger spikes linked to cravings. Another primary mechanism of chromium is increasing insulin receptor activity by enhancing IRS-1 (Insulin Receptor Substrate-1) phosphorylation—a crucial step leading to the translocation of GLUT-4 glucose transporters.
Summary
Akkermansia has emerged as a unique microorganism with immense potential as a postbiotic, backed by strong evidence for gut health, inflammation management, and weight/metabolic support in obese and diabetic populations. Combining it with chromium enhances this potential by improving glycemic control, supporting weight maintenance, and reducing factors associated with insulin resistance.
Bibliographic References
- Derrien, M., Vaughan, E. E., Plugge, C. M., & De Vos, W. M. (2004). Akkermansia muciniphila nov., sp. nov., a human intestinal mucin-degrading bacterium. International Journal Of Systematic And Evolutionary Microbiology, 54(5), 1469–1476. https://doi.org/10.1099/ijs.0.02873-0
- Ali, S., & Wilder, C. (2022). Bacterial type strains. ATCC. https://www.atcc.org/blogs/2022/bacterial-type-strains
- Plovier, H., Everard, A., Druart, C., et al. (2017). A purified membrane protein from Akkermansia muciniphila or the pasteurized bacterium improves metabolism in obese and diabetic mice. Nat Med, 23, 107–113. https://doi.org/10.1038/nm.4236
- Depommier, C., Everard, A., Druart, C., Plovier, H., Van Hul, M., Vieira-Silva, S., Falony, G., Raes, J., Maiter, D., Delzenne, N. M., de Barsy, M., Loumaye, A., Hermans, M. P., Thissen, J. P., de Vos, W. M., & Cani, P. D. (2019). Supplementation with Akkermansia muciniphila in overweight and obese human volunteers: a proof-of-concept exploratory study. Nature Medicine, 25(7), 1096–1103. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-019-0495-2
- Vancamelbeke, M., & Vermeire, S. (2017). The intestinal barrier: a fundamental role in health and disease. Expert Review of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 11(9), 821–834. https://doi.org/10.1080/17474124.2017.1343143
- Meynier, M., Daugey, V., Mallaret, G., Gervason, S., Meleine, M., Barbier, J., Aissouni, Y., Lolignier, S., Bonnet, M., Ardid, D., De Vos, W. M., Van Hul, M., Suenaert, P., Brochot, A., Cani, P. D., & Carvalho, F. A. (2024). Pasteurized Akkermansia muciniphila improves irritable bowel syndrome-like symptoms and related behavioral disorders in mice. Gut Microbes, 16(1), 2298026. https://doi.org/10.1080/19490976.2023.2298026
- Martin, J., Wang, Z. Q., Zhang, X. H., Wachtel, D., Volaufova, J., Matthews, D. E., & Cefalu, W. T. (2006). Chromium picolinate supplementation attenuates body weight gain and increases insulin sensitivity in subjects with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care, 29(8), 1826–1832. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc06-0254
- Wang, Z. Q., Zhang, X. H., Russell, J. C., Hulver, M., & Cefalu, W. T. (2006). Chromium picolinate enhances skeletal muscle cellular insulin signaling in vivo in obese, insulin-resistant JCR:LA-cp rats. The Journal of Nutrition, 136(2), 415–420. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/136.2.415