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Marker Guide

Beta-glucuronidase producing microbes


What this marker measures

The collective capacity of the microbial community to produce beta-glucuronidase, a bacterial enzyme that reverses glucuronidation, a Phase II detoxification process in the liver. This may reduce elimination of some  medications, hormones, and environmental toxins, potentially increasing enterohepatic recirculation and re-exposure1–5.

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Clinical associations

Consider this marker when your patient presents with:

Hormonal presentations
PCOS, irregular periods, menopausal symptoms, or other oestrogen-related concerns where altered hormone recirculation may be relevant.
Bilirubin handling concerns
Unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemia or Gilbert syndrome where altered bilirubin clearance may be relevant; interpret alongside liver function tests and clinical context.
Medication handling concerns
Drug sensitivities, medication side effects, or concerns relating to glucuronidated medications.

Interpreting the result

All results are compared to Microba's healthy cohort to determine whether they fall within or outside the expected range.

LOW
Beta-glucuronidase-producing potential is lower than expected
Microbial deconjugation of glucuronidated compounds is unlikely to be elevated.No intervention needed for this marker.
Within Range
Beta-glucuronidase-producing potential is within expected parameters
This suggests microbial deconjugation capacity is not elevated. Interpret alongside symptoms, medications, hormones, and other markers. Maintain dietary diversity.
HIGH
Beta-glucuronidase-producing potential is higher than expected
May increase microbial deconjugation and recirculation of some hormones, medications, and xenobiotics. Action: see Patient Management Insights guidance below.

Patient management insights

Reduce excess beta-glucuronidase activity and support detoxification.

Dental health
Dietary fibre may reduce faecal beta-glucuronidase activity6,7 D  
Supplementation Prebiotic
Glucomannan supplementation may reduce faecal beta-glucuronidase activity8 .
GRADE C

Inulin supplementation may reduce faecal beta-glucuronidase activity9,10.
GRADE C
‍
High-dose GOS (galacto-oligosaccharides) supplementation may reduce faecal beta-glucuronidase activity. 
GRADE D
Supplementation Probiotic
Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-N2/NCFM or NCFB 1748/NCIMB 701748 may reduce beta-glucuronidase activity. 
GRADE D

Tips for patients discussion

Your report shows elevated levels of gut microbes that can produce beta-glucuronidase, an enzyme that may allow some hormones, medications, and other compounds to be recycled in the gut instead of being eliminated. Increasing dietary fibre and specific prebiotic foods may help support a healthier balance.

The community

No single species produces butyrate alone — here are some of the most common, however this list is not exhaustive

  • Acetatifactor sp900066565
  • Alistipes obesi
  • Alistipes onderdonkii
  • Alistipes putredinis
  • Alistipes shahii
  • Bacteroides ovatus
  • Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron
  • Bacteroides uniformis
  • Bacteroides_B vulgatus
  • Barnesiella intestinihominis
  • Blautia_A sp900066165
  • CAG-41 sp900066215
  • Faecalibacterium MIC7145
  • Faecalibacterium MIC7145
  • Faecalibacterium prausnitzii_C
  • Faecalibacterium prausnitzii_D
  • Faecalibacterium prausnitzii_G
  • Fusicatenibacter saccharivorans
  • GCA-900066135 MIC6659
  • Gemmiger formicilis
  • Gemmiger sp003476825
  • KLE1615 sp900066985
  • Parabacteroides distasonis
  • Parabacteroides distasonis
  • UBA1417 sp003531055
  • UBA7160 MIC9207


How results are calculated

All microbiome marker results are compared against the Microba Healthy Cohort — a purpose-built reference group of more than 450 healthy individuals, collected and analysed using the same workflow as patient samples.

Each marker is scored by comparing the patient's relative abundance against the cohort average. The distance from this average is expressed as standard deviations, and determines whether a result is classified as Low, Borderline, or High.

How the result scale works
▲ AVG (Healthy Cohort average)
The patient's relative abundance is compared to the Healthy Cohort average. A negative distance from average means the microbial group is less abundant than the Healthy Cohort. A positive distance means it is more abundant. Results falling outside the expected range are classified as borderline or high/low  (borderline high/low:+/-0.68,andhigh/low:+/-1.28).
Evidence grading for patient management insights
The letter grades shown next to each patient management insight show the quality of the research behind it. Every insight provided has been through a rigorous review of the scientific literature and graded using the NHMRC Levels of Evidence, so you can see exactly how strong the evidence is before applying it in practice.

Source references for all clinical associations, interpretation definitions, and patient management insights on this card.

1. Elmassry, M. M., Kim, S. & Busby, B. Predicting drug-metagenome interactions: Variation in the microbial β-glucuronidase level in the human gut metagenomes. PLOS ONE 16, e0244876 (2021).
2. Ervin, S. M. et al. Gut microbial β-glucuronidases reactivate estrogens as components of the estrobolome that reactivate estrogens. Journal of Biological Chemistry 294, 18586–18599 (2019).
3. Chamseddine, A. N. et al. Intestinal bacterial β-glucuronidase as a possible predictive biomarker of irinotecan-induced diarrhea severity. Pharmacology & Therapeutics 199, 1–15 (2019).
4. Ervin, S. M. et al. Targeting Regorafenib-Induced Toxicity through Inhibition of Gut Microbial β-Glucuronidases. ACS Chem. Biol. 14, 2737–2744 (2019).
5. Kehrer, D. F. S. et al. Modulation of Irinotecan-induced Diarrhea by Cotreatment with Neomycin in Cancer Patients.
6. Johnson, S. K., Chua, V., Hall, R. S. & Baxter, A. L. Lupin kernel fibre foods improve bowel function and beneficially modify some putative faecal risk factors for colon cancer in men. British Journal of Nutrition 95, 372–378 (2006).
7. McIntosh, G. H., Noakes, M., Royle, P. J. & Foster, P. R. Whole-grain rye and wheat foods and markers of bowel health in overweight middle-aged men. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 77, 967–974 (2003).
8. Wu, W.-T., Cheng, H.-C. & Chen, H.-L. Ameliorative effects of konjac glucomannan on human faecal β-glucuronidase activity, secondary bile acid levels and faecal water toxicity towards Caco-2 cells. Br J Nutr 105, 593–600 (2011).
9. De Preter, V. et al. Effect of dietary intervention with different pre- and probiotics on intestinal bacterial enzyme activities. Eur J Clin Nutr 62, 225–231 (2008).
10. Bouhnik, Y. et al. Prolonged administration of low-dose inulin stimulates the growth of bifidobacteria in humans. Nutrition Research 27, 187–193 (2007).
11. Van Dokkum, W., Wezendonk, B., Srikumar, T. & Van Den Heuvel, E. Effect of nondigestible oligosaccharides on large-bowel functions, blood lipid concentrations and glucose absorption in young healthy male subjects. Eur J Clin Nutr 53, 1–7 (1999).
12. Lidbeck, A. et al. Impact of Lactobacillus acidophilus Supplements on the Faecal Microflora and Soluble Faecal Bile Acids in Colon Cancer Patients. Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease 4, 81–88 (1991)
.13. Goldin, B. R. & Gorbach, S. L. The effect of milk and lactobacillus feeding on human intestinal bacterial enzyme activity. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 39, 756–761 (1984).

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THESE PRODUCTS ARE ONLY AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE THROUGH A HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL.
1.The quantitative faecal occult blood, polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) used in the Microbiome Explorer range are diagnostic and are approved for clinical use.
2.The faeces pH assay used in the Microbiome Explorer range is for research use only and not to be used as a basis for diagnosis. The metagenomic assays used in the Microbiome Explorer range are to determine the microbiome populations and associated functional pathways in a faecal sample. The application is for research use only and not to be used as a basis for diagnosis. Learn more about the journey we are on to validate this gold-standard technology for clinical diagnosis and application.
3. The Microbiome Explorer range is intended for adults 18 years or older only.

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The information provided on this site is for the use of qualified healthcare professionals. The information contained on this website is in no way to be taken as prescriptive or to replace the healthcare professionals duty of care and personalised care practices.