Twenty Years Since Discovery of Akkermansia muciniphila: Research and Prospects for Treating Metabolic Disorders in Children

First described in 2004, Akkermansia muciniphila remains a focus for scientists and healthcare professionals due to its potential impact on human health. The World Health Organization reports that 890 million adults are living with obesity in 2024, and this number continues to grow. Russia also demonstrates a steady increase in childhood obesity. From 2010 to 2020, the percentage of children with obesity increased from 6.7% to 9.1%. The intestinal microbiota and its waste products actively regulate metabolic activity in the gastrointestinal tract. Akkermansia muciniphila is known to secrete the P9 protein, which increases glucagon-like peptide-1 secretion by interacting with intercellular adhesion molecule 2. In mice, this improves glucose homeostasis and slows the progression of metabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes mellitus. In humans, lower intestinal levels of Akkermansia muciniphila are associated with higher blood glucose and lipid levels, as well as greater body weight. In rats with induced diabetes mellitus, the oral administration of Akkermansia muciniphila significantly decreased serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines, such as lipopolysaccharide-binding protein and interleukin-1β, and increased serum levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10. These results suggest that Akkermansia muciniphila has an anti-inflammatory effect. In recent years, research on Akkermansia muciniphila has demonstrated its high therapeutic and preventive potential. It is important to understand the relationship between dietary fiber, gut microbiota, bioavailability, and potential health benefits in order to develop healthy foods, improve eating habits, and prevent diseases. Akkermansia muciniphila has been identified as a potential probiotic candidate that plays a critical role in maintaining intestinal homeostasis, even in children under five years of age. Even non-viable Akkermansia muciniphila have beneficial effects, confirming the effectiveness of using this species of bacteria as a postbiotic or synbiotic.