β-Glucuronidase

β-Glucuronidase is a bacterial enzyme in the large intestine that can release conjugated (inactivated) substances – above all oestrogen, xeno-oestrogens, medication residues and environmental substances – back into circulation. Raised activity with dysbiosis is looked at in connection with the oestrogen balance and with detoxification.

What β-glucuronidase does in the body

The liver makes many substances excretable by linking glucuronic acid to them (glucuronidation): oestrogens, bilirubin, thyroid hormones, medications and environmental substances become water-soluble in this way and reach the gut via the bile. There, bacteria with the enzyme β-glucuronidase split the glucuronic acid off again – they use it as a nutrient. The released substance is then fat-soluble again, can be absorbed through the gut wall and returns to the liver via the blood. The entirety of gut bacteria that release oestrogens in this way is called the estrobolome. Activity in stool shows how strongly the gut flora operates this return route.

Low β-glucuronidase – what does it mean?

A low value is usually the normal case: the linked substances remain largely bound and leave the body with the stool. Very low activity can show that the gut flora is less diverse overall, for example after antibiotic treatment; oestrogens are then also returned to the circulation less often.

Raised β-glucuronidase – what happens in the body?

When activity is raised, the gut bacteria split more linked substances, and a larger share returns from the gut to the blood instead of being excreted. Oestrogens therefore circulate in the body for longer, and bilirubin, medication residues and environmental substances that the liver had already prepared for excretion are also reabsorbed and have to be processed again. Raised values have been observed in studies with an altered gut flora containing more bacteria that produce this enzyme, and with a diet low in fibre and high in fat and meat.

The interpretation is given in your report.