Exploring the Potential of Akkermansia muciniphila Supplementation in the Prevention and Treatment of Diabetes and Coronary Artery Disease: Mechanisms and Implications

Type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease (CAD) are two closely related chronic diseases with a high prevalence worldwide. Both diseases share common risk factors such as obesity, insulin resistance, and inflammation. Recent studies have suggested that the gut microbiome, particularly Akkermansia muciniphila, plays a key role in the pathogenesis of these diseases. A. muciniphila is a beneficial gut bacterium that has received increasing attention in recent years due to its potential health benefits. A. muciniphila is a mucus-degrading bacterium that resides in the intestinal mucus layer, which acts as a barrier between the gut microbiota and the host epithelium. A. muciniphila has been shown to improve gut barrier function, reduce inflammation, and promote metabolic health in animal models. Humans with type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and other metabolic disorders have lower levels of A. muciniphila than healthy individuals. On the other hand, both in animal models and in people, supplementation with A. muciniphila has been linked to improved glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and other markers of metabolic health. Additionally, research has indicated that A. muciniphila might contribute to the emergence of CAD. Atherosclerosis is largely caused by inflammation, and dysbiosis of the gut microbiome has been linked to a higher risk of developing coronary artery disease (CAD). A. muciniphila supplementation has been shown to reduce atherosclerosis in animal models in recent studies. A. muciniphila may reduce the risk of CAD by producing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), enhancing gut barrier performance, and controlling immune responses, among other things. Although research into the connection between Akkermansia muciniphila, diabetes, and coronary artery disease (CAD) is still ongoing, the evidence that is currently available suggests that this bacterium may play a role in metabolic and cardiovascular health and may represent a promising target for interventions meant to prevent or treat both diseases. The objective of the project is to examine the potential of A. muciniphila supplementation for the treatment and prevention of diabetes and coronary artery disease (CAD) and to investigate the underlying mechanisms of its effects on metabolic and cardiovascular health. This project's methodology will primarily involve in vivo evaluations. The student will gain knowledge about handling animals, performing animal surgery, histology and gathering samples of gut faeces for microbiome sequencing. They will also learn how to analyse sequencing results using software tools like QIIME II. They will also be introduced to fundamental R projects to investigate alpha and beta diversity, as well as, if necessary, additional molecular biology methods like RT-PCR and Western blotting. Only PhD students should attempt this project due to the substantial amount of work required.