Sustainable living is often discussed in length without truly making an impact on the normal day to day person. We live in a world where waste plays a major role without us realising it. Currently we live on an island where water is scarce and in fulfilling our role in what sustainable living means on […]
EconSpire» Ireland

Researchers at the Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre in University College Cork have discovered how gut bacteria communicate with their host to specifically regulate weight gain and serum cholesterol levels.

Cork Researchers Further Understanding of How Gut Bacteria Regulate Weight Gain

The research, funded by Science Foundation Ireland, has implications for the rational selection and design of probiotics for the control of obesity, high cholesterol and diabetes.  The findings are published this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA.

The team led by Dr. Cormac Gahan and Dr. Susan Joyce has analysed a bacterial protein that modifies bile acids (a major component of bile secretions) in the gut. This protein, bile salt hydrolase, is commonly made by gut bacteria and functions to change the chemical properties of bile acids in the gut. The research team has shown that specifically increasing levels of this protein reduces serum cholesterol levels and weight gain in mice. The group are currently exploring the relevance of these findings to humans.

“Recent work by other groups has shown that bile acids act as signalling molecules in the host, almost like a hormonal network, with an ability to influence host metabolism. What we have done is to show that a specific mechanism exists by which bacteria in the gut can influence this process with significant consequences for the host,”  commented  Dr Gahan.

Dr Joyce added “the findings may be used as a basis for the future selection of probiotics or dietary interventions which target this mechanism to regulate weight gain or high cholesterol.  We now have the potential for matching probiotic strains with specific end-user needs. Work is underway to determine how this system operates in humans.”

The research is published in the leading international journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA     Joyce, S.A.,  McSharry, J.,  Casey, P.G.,  Kinsella, M.,  Murphy, E.F., Shanahan, F., Hill, C. and Gahan, C.G.M. (2014)  “Regulation of host weight gain and lipid metabolism by bacterial bile acid modification in the gut” www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.1323599111

The Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre http://apc.ucc.ie  is a Science Foundation Ireland-funded national research centre in food and medicine.  The APC spans across University College Cork, Teagasc (Ireland’s Agriculture & Food Development

The post How Gut Bacteria Regulates Weight Gain appeared first on HealthnSpire.

HealthnSpire » Ireland

ARAMARK Environmental Services, the environmental and energy management division of ARAMARK, has been awarded the contract to provide energy upgrade works to nine local councils in the East Border region of Ireland. An investment of €450,000 for the energy upgrade works by the County Councils is being funded by the INTERREG IVA programme for Northern […]
EconSpire» Ireland

Plenty of Irish Happenings in Finland during the month of April with Helsinki Harps GAA training starting up to Weekly Irish Dancing taking place. A part of Ireland in Suomi. 3 April at 6pm – Helsinki Harps GAA Helsinki Harps GAA first training session of the year takes place on Thursday, 3 April at Talin […]

Irish Happenings in Finland is a post from: Finland in One

Finland in One» Ireland

European Athletics is pleased to announce that former world javelin champion Tero Pitkämäki of Finland and two-time SPAR European cross country champion Fionnuala Britton of Ireland have been as the European Athletes of the Month for March. Pitkämäki, the 2007 world champion, had several good performances in early season competitions in South Africa and these […]

Pitkamaki, Britton athletes of March 2013 is a post from: Time-to-Run Ireland

Time-to-Run Ireland

Dublin student Kelly McCabe from Scoil Carmel Junior National School was named the overall winner of the sixth annual Doodle 4 Google competition. Beating off tough competition from 74 regional finalists, Kelly’s winning doodle will now be seen by millions of users when it appears on the Google Ireland homepage this Wednesday March 26th. Eight […]

2014 Doodle 4 Google Champion Crowned is a post from: All4Data

All4Data» IrelandNews

People living with cancer in Dublin and their families are invited to attend a unique public information day at the City North Hotel, Gormanston, on April 5.

The Living With Cancer Day

The Living With Cancer Day has been organised by the North East Cancer Research and Education Trust (NECRET) and will feature Irish celebrities talking about their cancer experiences as well as presentations from experts in the field.

The post Living With Cancer appeared first on HealthnSpire.

HealthnSpire » Ireland

Positive Outlook For Irish Agrifood If Sustainable Long Term Investment Can Be Achieved. Top food industry executives, banking strategists, and farming interests are gathered in Dublin today (Clyde Court Hotel, Lansdowne Road) to explore sustainable investment options for the future growth and development of Ireland’s Agrifood industry.  The AgriFood Business Partners Conference is designed to […]

The post Positive Outlook For Irish Agrifood appeared first on EconSpire.

EconSpire » Ireland

New research from the National Children’s Research Center and supported by the Children’s Medical Research Foundation (CMRF) has identified a link between child obesity and decreased effectiveness in the innate immune system among obese children.

Obese Children Losing Key Cells is a post from: HealthnSpire

Abu Dhabi Irish Guineas Festival brings the emirate’s best to Ireland. Abu Dhabi arrived in Ireland last weekend for the Curragh’s eagerly anticipated Abu Dhabi Irish Guineas Festival meeting. Literally. Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA), created a centrepiece tented Arabian Village to show off some of the emirate’s cultural traditions, including falconry, henna design and […]

The Extra Furlong At The Curragh is a post from: GlobalBuzz

GlobalBuzz» Ireland