Beta-glucuronidase is an enzyme induced by anaerobic bacteria. Many toxins, hormones, and drugs are excreted from the body after conjugation to a glucuronide molecule. Beta-glucuronidase can uncouple these conjugates, freeing these potential carcinogens in the bowel and increase cancer risk.
β-glucuronidase (β-G) breaks the tight bond between glucuronic acid and toxins in the intestines. The liver and intestine bind toxins, steroid hormones and some dietary components to glucuronic acid. That is a protective process that limits absorption and enterohepatic resorption of toxins, and enhances excretion. A high level of activity of β-G in the gut is not desirable. A low level of β-G activity is not known to be of any direct clinical consequence.
Low β-G activity is an indicator of abnormal metabolic activity among the intestinal microbiota that may be influenced by dietary extremes, diminished abundance and diversity of the intestinal microbiota, or heavy probiotic and/or prebiotic supplementation. A low fat, low meat and high fiber diet, such as consumed by strict vegetarians, may be associated with lower β-G activity compared to a typical “Western diet.” High-end consumption of soluble fiber (e.g. inulin) and supplementation with Lactobacillus acidophilus may be inconsequentially associated with lower fecal β-G.
ß-glucuronidase
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