Akkermansia muciniphila in Metabolic Disease: Far from Perfect

Mierlan, Oana Laura; Busila, Camelia; Amaritei, Octavian; Elena, Dogaru; Raileanu, Cosmin Raducu; Maftei, Nicoleta-Maricica; Matei, Madalina Nicoleta; Gurau, Gabriela

doi:10.3390/ijms262311602

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Akkermansia muciniphila in Metabolic Disease: Far from Perfect

by

Oana Laura Mierlan

^1,2,†

,

Camelia Busila

^1,2,†,

Octavian Amaritei

^1,3,*

,

Dogaru Elena

^1,4,

Cosmin Raducu Raileanu

^1,2,4

,

Nicoleta-Maricica Maftei

^1,2,4,*

,

Madalina Nicoleta Matei

^1,2,4 and

Gabriela Gurau

^1,2,4

¹

Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, “Dunarea de Jos” University of Galati, 800008 Galati, Romania

²

“Sf. Ioan” Emergency Clinical Pediatric Hospital, 800487 Galati, Romania

³

“Sf. Andrei” Clinical Emergency County Hospital, 800578 Galati, Romania

⁴

Center for Research and Technology Transfer in the Medico-Pharmaceutical Field, “Dunarea de Jos” University of Galati, 800008 Galati, Romania

^*

Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.

^†

These authors contributed equally to this work as the co-first author.

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(23), 11602; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262311602

Submission received: 16 November 2025 / Revised: 27 November 2025 / Accepted: 28 November 2025 / Published: 29 November 2025

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microbiomes in Human Health and Disease)

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Abstract

The root of metabolic disease lies in the gastrointestinal tract, where nutrient absorption occurs. Within this environment, a diverse community of microorganisms exerts effects that extend beyond the intestinal barrier. Akkermansia muciniphila (A. muciniphila), one such bacterium, has been associated with enhanced intestinal integrity, reduced intestinal inflammation, weight loss, and improved insulin sensitivity, mediated through mucus fermentation, production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), bacterial proteins, and extracellular vesicles (EVs). Research in this field is promising, yet far from perfect. Its clinical applicability remains limited by factors such as strain variability, scarcity of human intervention studies, and the lack of established causality. While associations have been consistently observed in both rodent and human studies, causality has thus far been demonstrated only in animal models. This issue is of critical importance, as metabolic disease remains highly prevalent, carries systemic consequences, and imposes a substantial burden on healthcare systems, underscoring the urgent need for alternative therapeutic strategies. The aim of this narrative review is to synthesize current knowledge on A. muciniphila and to highlight the key limitations consistently reported in the literature. By addressing these factors, the review seeks to provide realistic perspectives on its therapeutic potential and to outline directions for future research.

Keywords: A. muciniphila; microbiome; metabolic disease; obesity; diabetes

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MDPI and ACS Style

Mierlan, O.L.; Busila, C.; Amaritei, O.; Elena, D.; Raileanu, C.R.; Maftei, N.-M.; Matei, M.N.; Gurau, G. Akkermansia muciniphila in Metabolic Disease: Far from Perfect. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26, 11602. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262311602

AMA Style

Mierlan OL, Busila C, Amaritei O, Elena D, Raileanu CR, Maftei N-M, Matei MN, Gurau G. Akkermansia muciniphila in Metabolic Disease: Far from Perfect. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2025; 26(23):11602. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262311602

Chicago/Turabian Style

Mierlan, Oana Laura, Camelia Busila, Octavian Amaritei, Dogaru Elena, Cosmin Raducu Raileanu, Nicoleta-Maricica Maftei, Madalina Nicoleta Matei, and Gabriela Gurau. 2025. "Akkermansia muciniphila in Metabolic Disease: Far from Perfect" International Journal of Molecular Sciences 26, no. 23: 11602. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262311602

APA Style

Mierlan, O. L., Busila, C., Amaritei, O., Elena, D., Raileanu, C. R., Maftei, N.-M., Matei, M. N., & Gurau, G. (2025). Akkermansia muciniphila in Metabolic Disease: Far from Perfect. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 26(23), 11602. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262311602

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