Methane-oxidizing bacteria regulate intestinal peristalsis and fat metabolism in the gut via reducing methane levels (PRJCA040467)

As one of the main components of human intestinal gas, methane has been reported to play a role in the disruption of intestinal motility, in turn related to high body index. However, the role of methane-oxidizing bacteria (methanotrophs) in mitigating methane-induced gut dysfunction remains largely unexplored. In this study, we isolated a novel gut methanotroph, Candidatus Methylocystis intestini, from human fecal samples. Using mice as a model, we found the decreasing intestinal motility and the disorder of fat metabolism when challenged with methane. We also show that Candidatus Methylocystis intestini reverses these processes.