Gut Microbial β-Glucuronidase and Oestrogen Metabolism

​

• Published: May 2015

• Source: Applied and Environmental Microbiology (accessible via ASM Journals)

• Focus: Investigates gut microbial *β-glucuronidase activity and its impact on oestrogen metabolism in healthy women.

• Study Design: Cross-sectional; 30 premenopausal women; faecal samples analysed for β-glucuronidase activity (enzymatic assays) alongside urinary oestrogen metabolites.

• Findings: Higher β-glucuronidase activity, driven by *Clostridium and *Escherichia coli , correlated with increased urinary unconjugated estrogens (e.g., estradiol), suggesting enhanced enterohepatic recirculation.

• Key Insight: Links β-glucuronidase directly to elevated systemic oestrogen levels, a potential contributor to oestrogen dominance.

​​

Study: β-Glucuronidase Activity in Breast Cancer Patients

​

• Published: October 2016

• Source: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (accessible via PMC)

• Focus: Examines the role of gut microbial β-glucuronidase in oestrogen-driven breast cancer risk.

• Study Design: Observational; 60 postmenopausal women (30 with breast cancer, 30 controls); faecal microbiota sequencing and β-glucuronidase activity measurement.

• Findings: Breast cancer patients exhibited higher β-glucuronidase activity and abundance of β-glucuronidase-producing bacteria (*Bacteroides, E. coli) compared to controls, alongside elevated plasma oestrogens.

• Key Insight: Suggests β-glucuronidase-mediated oestrogen reabsorption may increase cancer risk, relevant to estrogen dominance scenarios.

​​

Study: Dietary Influence on β-Glucuronidase Activity

​

• Published: March 2019

• Source: Gut Microbes (accessible via Taylor & Francis)

• Focus: Assesses how diet modulates gut microbial β-glucuronidase activity and xenobiotic metabolism.

• Study Design: Interventional; 40 healthy adults; randomised to high-fibre vs. low-fibre diets for 8 weeks; faecal β-glucuronidase activity measured via fluorometric assays.

• Findings: High-fibre diets reduced β-glucuronidase activity and *Bacteroides abundance, while low-fibre diets increased both, correlating with higher circulating oestrogen levels in the low-fibre group.

• Key Insight: Demonstrates dietary regulation of β-glucuronidase, offering a potential lever for managing oestrogen excess.

​​

Study: β-Glucuronidase and Liver Detoxification in Cirrhosis

​

• Published: June 2021

• Source: Hepatology Communications (open access)

• Focus: Explores gut microbial β-glucuronidase in patients with liver cirrhosis and its effects on toxin and oestrogen clearance.

• Study Design: Cohort; 50 patients with cirrhosis vs. 50 controls; shotgun metagenomics and enzymatic activity assays on stool samples.

• Findings: Cirrhosis patients had elevated β-glucuronidase activity, linked to *Enterobacteriaceae  overgrowth, impairing oestrogen glucuronidation and increasing free estrogens in blood.

• Key Insight: Highlights how β-glucuronidase dysregulation in disease states can amplify oestrogen levels, relevant to dominance.

​​

Study: β-Glucuronidase Inhibition and Hormonal Balance

​

• Published: November 2022

• Source: mSystems (accessible via ASM Journals)

• Focus: Tests the effects of β-glucuronidase inhibitors on oestrogen metabolism in premenopausal women.

• Study Design: Pilot intervention; 25 women; administered a β-glucuronidase inhibitor for 4 weeks; measured faecal enzyme activity and plasma oestrogens.

• Findings: Inhibitor use reduced β-glucuronidase activity by 30-40%, lowered *E. coli and *Clostridium abundance, and decreased circulating oestradiol levels by 15%.

• Key Insight: Provides evidence that targeting β-glucuronidase could mitigate oestrogen excess, directly tying to oestrogen dominance management.

 

* The Comprehensive Gut Analysis tests for high levels of β-glucuronidase an overgrowth of the microbes mentioned in these studies. 

​

​

A gut analysis is not designed to diagnose, prevent, or treat any diseases. If you have been diagnosed with a chronic medical condition and have already  received specific dietary recommendations or prescription medication from your doctor this test is not recommended for you due to the risk of nutrients/supplement and drug interactions.

​