Supplementation with Akkermansia muciniphila in overweight and obese human volunteers: a proof-of-concept exploratory study

Depommier C, Everard A, Druart C, Plovier H, Van Hul M, Vieira-Silva S, Falony G, Raes J, Maiter D, Delzenne NM, de Barsy M, Loumaye A, Hermans MP, Thissen JP, de Vos WM, Cani PD

Published in Nature Medicine

Methodology

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled exploratory trial of live or pasteurized Akkermansia muciniphila (10^10 cells/day) for 3 months in overweight or obese insulin-resistant adults.

Key Findings

Supplementation was safe and well tolerated. Pasteurized A. muciniphila improved insulin sensitivity (about +30%), reduced insulinaemia and plasma total cholesterol, and produced a slight reduction in body weight and fat mass versus placebo; live bacteria produced smaller, mostly non-significant changes. Markers of liver dysfunction and inflammation also improved.

Conclusions

Pasteurized Akkermansia muciniphila is safe and shows early metabolic benefit signals, but this was an exploratory proof-of-concept study, not a definitive efficacy trial.

Limitations

Exploratory design with 32 participants, 3-month duration, multiple endpoints without full multiplicity correction, and authors hold patents on Akkermansia applications.

Supplements Studied

Akkermansia

Probiotic

Pasteurized Akkermansia muciniphila for 3 months was safe and improved insulin sensitivity by roughly 30% with small reductions in weight, fat mass and cholesterol.