962-Engineered Metabolic Modulation of Gut-Liver-Brain Axis

Paper Talk · May 13, 2026 · 22m

The article details the development of genetically engineered bacteria designed to treat hepatic encephalopathy (HE) by correcting metabolic imbalances within the gut-liver-brain axis. Scientists modified the commensal strain Lactobacillus plantarum to simultaneously consume toxic ammonia, utilize L-glutamine, and produce essential branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs). In preclinical mouse models, oral administration of these "live biotherapeutics" successfully reduced systemic and brain ammonia levels while improving cognitive function and anxiety-like behaviors. Transcriptomic analysis…