Metabolite News and Research

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Metabolites are the intermediates and products of metabolism. The term ''metabolite'' is usually restricted to small molecules.

AI predicts designer drug structures for improved detection

How does one identify something no one has a test for? Designer drugs replicate the effects of known, illicit drugs but evade law enforcement. The chemical structure variations that help these compounds avoid detection also make them unpredictable in the body - a quality that poses serious health consequences.

21 Aug 2025

Genetic variants influencing vitamin D synthesis, metabolism, and transport

A Canadian review synthesizes genetic factors that influence vitamin D synthesis, metabolism, and transport, highlighting how polymorphisms affect circulating levels. It also explores how gene-environment interactions shape individual responses to supplementation and sunlight.

20 Aug 2025

Scientists link gut microbes to stronger muscles and healthier aging

Researchers discovered that gut microbes, including Lactobacillus reuteri and L. johnsonii, can enhance muscle strength in aging mice. Co-administration of these strains boosted muscle mass, performance, and reduced inflammation, pointing to a possible microbiome-based strategy for muscle health.

19 Aug 2025

FastUKB transforms UK Biobank research with seamless data extraction and analysis

FastUKB is an innovative tool specifically developed to streamline and enhance research workflows utilizing the UK Biobank, effectively addressing key limitations of existing platforms such as the UK Biobank Research Analysis Platform (RAP).

18 Aug 2025

Mitochondrial metabolite glutathione plays key role in breast cancer metastasis

The mitochondria may be the powerhouse of the cell, but mounting evidence suggests this organelle is also a driving force behind cancer.

18 Aug 2025

Natural gut molecule reverses liver damage and repairs gut lining

UC Davis Health researchers have discovered that a natural molecule made by gut bacteria can reverse liver damage and repair the gut lining after aflatoxin exposure.

12 Aug 2025

Gut microbiota and short chain fatty acids influence bone health in postmenopausal osteoporosis

Postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) is framed as a systemic bone disease driven by estrogen withdrawal, but emerging evidence positions gut dysbiosis and its fermentation products—short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)—as equally influential regulators of skeletal fate.

6 Aug 2025

Excessive screen time linked to higher cardiometabolic risk in youth

Children and young adults who spend excessive hours glued to screens and electronic devices may have higher risks for cardiometabolic diseases, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and insulin resistance, according to new research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open-access, peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association.

6 Aug 2025

Targeting lactate metabolism offers new avenues for cancer treatment

Lactic acid (LA) has transitioned from being perceived as a mere glycolytic waste product to a pivotal regulator of tumor-immune crosstalk.

5 Aug 2025

Metabolite patterns reveal potential for COPD population screening

The possibility of having a tool that facilitates population screening for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is getting closer.

5 Aug 2025

Mouth and gut microbes talk to each other - here’s why it matters for disease

Researchers reviewed nearly 250 studies to uncover how the oral and gut microbiomes communicate through multiple pathways, influencing the risk of diseases such as IBD, colorectal cancer, and cardiovascular disorders. The review highlights that maintaining oral health and dietary habits is crucial for overall systemic wellbeing.

4 Aug 2025

Tailored granola transforms gut bacteria and improves mood

A study reveals that custom granola can boost gut health and mood by increasing beneficial bacteria and short-chain fatty acids based on individual microbiota.

4 Aug 2025

Beneficial gut bacteria found to suppress harmful microbes

Intestinal bacteria are important for human health as they help digest food and regulate immune function. Thus, in recent years, it has become clear that gut microbiota dysbiosis, an imbalance in types and composition of intestinal bacteria, is associated with digestive disorders and other diseases.

1 Aug 2025

New research reveals why fiber-rich diets fuel you better than refined foods

This study quantifies how much energy the human body harvests from gut microbial fermentation of dietary fiber, integrating bacterial physiology, diet, and metagenomic data. Results reveal that dietary fiber, not microbiome composition, mainly determines the amount of short-chain fatty acids absorbed, impacting daily energy and metabolic health.

31 Jul 2025

Using tongue coating to spot early signs of Parkinson’s disease

Tongue coating analysis reveals potential biomarkers for early Parkinson's disease detection, offering a non-invasive and cost-effective diagnostic approach.

31 Jul 2025

Prenatal phthalates lower boys' verbal IQ but lift girls' performance IQ, Canadian study reveals

Prenatal exposure to certain phthalates, especially DiDP, was linked to slightly lower IQ scores in preschoolers, with boys appearing more vulnerable. Other phthalates, like MMP and MBzP, showed small positive associations, but mixture effects were not significant.

29 Jul 2025

Gut microbial metabolites restore hormone-producing cells in obesity

New research from scientists at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine reveals that certain gut microbial byproducts may hold promise as a novel therapy for obesity-associated metabolic complications by restoring critical hormone-producing cells in the intestine.

29 Jul 2025

Research uncovers ME/CFS's systemic impact for targeted therapies

Millions suffering from myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), a debilitating condition often overlooked due to the lack of diagnostic tools, may be closer to personalized care, according to new research that shows how the disease disrupts interactions between the microbiome, immune system, and metabolism.

26 Jul 2025

Microbial signals rewire immunity in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a deadly cancer with particularly high prevalence in East Asia.

21 Jul 2025

Creatine tops the list as researchers review new ways to fight osteosarcopenia

This review explores how creatine, HMB, prebiotics, and probiotics may support muscle and bone health in older adults with osteosarcopenia. While creatine shows the strongest evidence, all interventions require further research to determine their optimal use.

21 Jul 2025