Unlocking secrets of gut health: How Kenyan scientist is shaping the future of prebiotics

By Janet Otieno

Talking about our gut health daily is more important now than before. This is because the gut is often called “our second brain”. The reason for this is that the gut influences our overall well-being.  The state of our gut microbiome affects every aspect of our life from the moment we eat food and digestion takes place, nutrient absorption to our immune function and mental health. 

Among the scientists making strides in this field to uncover deeper connections between gut health and chronic diseases is Dr Humphrey Andalo Mabwi, a Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (Rsif) graduate, whose PhD work revolved around Design of synthetic human gut microbiota ecosystems models for screening novel prebiotics from phytochemicals.

The 38-year-old Kenyan is a lecturer of Biology at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology and graduated with a Ph.D. in Molecular and Biotechnology at the Sokoine University of Agriculture and did his laboratory research work at Korea Institute of Science and Technology.

RSIF is the flagship programme of the Partnership for Skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering, and Technology (PASET), managed by the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology as the Regional Coordination Unit.

When asked what inspired him to focus on synthetic gut microbiota ecosystems, Dr. Mabwi explains, “Human gut microbiota has been reported to be associated with the occurrence and development of several chronic metabolic diseases, such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, and cancers, however, it is incredibly complex, with hundreds of bacterial species interacting in ways that are hard to comprehend fully,” he says. “I was inspired to work with synthetic human gut microbiomes because synthetic ecosystems offer a simpler, controlled environment for easy investigation of complex human gut microbiota in diseases and health. This allows us to study these complex interactions in a way impossible with natural gut microbiota.”  

Dr. Mabwi’s research involves creating simplified versions of the bacteria that live in the gut, making it easier to understand their role in both health and disease.

“By studying these ecosystems in a controlled way, we can identify how specific bacteria affect health, which may lead to the development of more effective prebiotics and treatments to restore gut balance,” he adds.

The importance of studying gut health cannot be overstated as Dr. Mabwi notes, “The gut microbiota is a key player in digestion, immune function, mental health, and disease prevention. By studying it, it’s possible to develop better treatments for various health conditions and improve overall well-being.”

His research focuses on using synthetic gut models to examine how different diets and compounds, like phytochemicals, influence the gut microbiota. Phytochemicals are naturally occurring substances in plants, known for their health benefits since they are increasingly linked to mental health and immune function. According to Dr. Mabwi, they “can influence gut microbiota, reduce inflammation, and maintain the gut barrier, all of which contribute to better gut health.”

He states that when we eat fruits, vegetables, grains, and other plant foods, we also get these helpful compounds.

The process of designing these synthetic gut microbiota ecosystems is thorough. “It starts with selecting the right bacteria, growing them under controlled lab conditions, and then assembling them into a community that mimics the human gut,” Dr. Mabwi explains. “From there, we test how they interact and affect health, using various bioreactors that simulate the gut environment.”

Through these ecosystems, Dr. Mabwi can screen potential prebiotics, which are compounds that stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. His work focuses on phytochemicals, which are found in fruits, vegetables, and grains, and may hold the key to unlocking new, effective prebiotics bioactive properties, such as polyphenols, flavonoids, terpenes, etc.

Dr. Mabwi’s approach to screening is both innovative and meticulous, “We select phytochemicals based on their known bioactive properties, create a synthetic microbiota to simulate the human gut, and then introduce these compounds at physiologically relevant concentrations,” he says. “We monitor changes using advanced techniques like 16S rRNA gene sequencing and analyze the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which are critical for gut health.”

Promising findings

Dr. Mabwi’s research has already identified Edomin, a promising prebiotic compound. “What’s exciting is that we were able to replicate the results from our synthetic models in animal studies, demonstrating the potential of these ecosystems to guide the development of robust prebiotic therapies,” he notes.

Surprising discoveries and future impact

One of Dr. Mabwi’s surprising findings in this research focus is the stability of synthetic microbial communities: synthetic microbial communities displayed a surprising level stability during my experiments. “It was surprising also that I managed to replicate my results obtained with synthetic microbial communities using animal model. The same result observed with synthetic microbial communities was also observed using a mouse. This can offer new insights into designing robust probiotic or prebiotic therapies that can persist and function over time,” he emphasized.

On how these synthetic ecosystems help in understanding the effects of diet on gut health, Dr. Mabwi stated that they provide a versatile platform for dissecting the complex interactions between diet and gut health. They enable researchers to pinpoint specific dietary influences, understand microbial responses, and ultimately guide strategies for improving health through diet.

He envisions his research to help in promoting a more diverse gut microbiome, which is associated with better overall gut health and resilience against diseases. “Through influencing the gut microbiota composition and function, prebiotics derived from phytochemicals may positively affect the gut-brain axis, potentially alleviating symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders.” He adds that by promoting a healthy gut microbiome and SCFA production, prebiotics may lower the risk of colon cancer through mechanisms like improved gut barrier function and reduced inflammation. The identification of effective prebiotics can lead to the development of functional foods and supplements that specifically target gut health, improving public health outcomes.

Some of the challenges he faced when creating these synthetic ecosystems was replicating human gut microbiome since it consists of hundreds to thousands of species, each with unique metabolic capabilities. “Secondly, the synthetic gut ecosystem must replicate the specific conditions of the human gut, including pH, temperature, oxygen levels, and nutrient gradients. Achieving these conditions can be technically challenging. Synthetic systems can also be susceptible to contamination from unwanted microbes, which can disrupt the intended microbial community,” he said.

Influencing dietary recommendations

On his research influencing future dietary recommendations or probiotic development, Dr. Mabwi had this to say, “By identifying specific prebiotics that beneficially affect distinct microbial profiles, synthetic gut models can help develop personalized dietary strategies that cater to individual microbiome compositions and health needs. Understanding how different individuals respond to various prebiotics can lead to targeted dietary interventions that optimize gut health based on individual microbiome characteristics.”

 Additionally, the findings from synthetic gut studies can contribute to the development of evidence-based dietary guidelines that incorporate specific prebiotics for improving gut health, reducing disease risk, and promoting overall well-being.  “My research can encourage the incorporation of diverse plant-based foods into dietary recommendations, promoting broader dietary patterns beneficial for gut health.”

For those keen to improve their diet, Dr. Mabwi has some practical advice, “Focus on incorporating a wide range of dietary fibers into the diet, as different fibers can act as prebiotics. Foods high in fiber include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Focus on a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains provides a variety of phytochemicals and fibers that can act as prebiotics.”

He says people should aim for at least half of their plate to be filled with plant-based foods at each meal. “Include foods high in phytochemicals, such as berries, green tea, and spices like turmeric, which may provide additional health benefits.”

He goes on to say that those who are conscious of what they eat should embrace a diverse diet rich in various fibers and phytochemicals. Foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes not only nourish our bodies but also serve as food for our beneficial gut bacteria.

His parting shot was “People should not hesitate to experiment with less common prebiotic sources. Ingredients like garlic and onions, can offer substantial benefits in supporting gut microbiome. Incorporating foods that contain both prebiotics and probiotics can enhance the growth and activity of beneficial bacteria, promoting a healthier gut environment.”

 They should keep themselves updated on the latest research findings and dietary recommendations related to gut health.

As more research continues to unfold, the future of gut health—and our understanding of it—looks very promising. Dr. Mabwi’s work could lead to new strategies for optimizing our microbiota, promoting a healthier, more balanced gut for people not only in Kenya but worldwide.

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