Gut bacteria could be good or bad

Bacteria that live in and on human body are emerging as an increasingly important player in health and wellness. Human co-existence with these organisms is complex, minor changes in this relationship can leads to adverse reaction on human health.

Researchers from the University of Rochester Medical Center found that impairing a rare group of cells in the small intestine allows gut bacteria to invade the organ and cause major inflammation. The study was conducted in mice, but has implications for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation in the digestive track.

Keeping guts in good shape requires the cooperation of multiple intestinal cells with the bacteria that live around them. Though small in number, intestinal cells called Paneth cells play an important role; they make antimicrobial compounds that keep bacteria in check and help form the lining of the small intestine, a physical barrier between the organ and the resident bacteria.

Previous research shows that changes or mutations in Paneth cells are associated with increased inflammation, including in individuals with Crohn's disease, a type of IBD. But, scientists were unsure how Paneth cells opened the door to inflammatory damage.

Researchers led by Felix O. Yarovinsky, M.D. found the answer in a process called autophagy, which helps cells remove unwanted cellular material or debris. His team turned off autophagy in Paneth cells in mice and then exposed them to a stressor-a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. Without autophagy, the barrier between the small intestine and the gut bacteria broke down; bacteria invaded the organ and caused severe infection and inflammation.

Paneth cells are like the guardians of the intestine and autophagy is like their armor, when their  armor were removed, the Paneth cells couldn't control the intestinal bacteria and it went wild, causing severe disease. The study suggests that normal autophagy in Paneth cells is required to regulate bacteria in the gut, keeping it at bay and preventing the gut bacteria from invading host tissue.

Paneth cells make up just 2 percent of the cells in the intestine, and the fact that restricting autophagy in these cells led to big problems was an unexpected result. Gut bacteria play a role in the development of IBD, which includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. But how bacteria in the gut are controlled in these conditions remains elusive. This study and others point to Paneth cells as key regulators of the interactions between host and gut bacteria, and further research could inform the design of future therapies.
           haleplushearty.blogspot.com

Infliximab for reducing inflammation

Infliximab reduces the effects of a substance in the body that can cause inflammation. Infliximab is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and ankylosing spondylitis. Infliximab is also used to treat severe or disabling plaque psoriasis. Infliximab is often used when other medicines have not been effective.

Using infliximab may increase the risk of developing certain types of cancer, including a rare fast-growing type of lymphoma that can be fatal. Infliximab can lower blood cells that help the body fight infections. Serious and sometimes fatal infections may occur.  However, people with autoimmune disorders (including rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, ankylosing spondylitis, and psoriasis) may have a higher risk of lymphoma.

Using infliximab may increase the risk of developing other types of cancer, including skin cancer. Before you start treatment with infliximab, your doctor may perform tests to make sure you do not have tuberculosis (TB) or other infections. Infliximab is injected into a vein through an IV. A healthcare provider will give you this injection. You may be watched closely after receiving infliximab, to make sure the medicine has not caused any serious side effects.

Infliximab can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections and help your blood to clot. Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using infliximab, or you could develop a serious infection. Live vaccines include measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), polio, rotavirus, typhoid, yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), zoster (shingles), and nasal flu (influenza) vaccine.

Some side effects may occur during the injection. Tell your caregiver right away if you feel dizzy, nauseated, light-headed, itchy or tingly, swollen, short of breath, or have a headache, fever, chills, muscle or joint pain, pain or tightness in your throat, chest pain, or trouble swallowing during the injection. Infusion reactions may also occur within 1 or 2 hours after injection.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; chest pain, difficult breathing; fever, chills, severe dizziness; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Serious and sometimes fatal infections may occur during treatment with infliximab. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection such as: fever, extreme tiredness, flu symptoms, cough, or skin symptoms (pain, warmth, or redness).
          haleplushearty.blogspot.com

Oral bacteria contributing to bowel disorders

An international team of researchers has found evidence that suggests certain types of oral bacteria may cause or exacerbate bowel disorders. Bowel disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are more than just a nuisance, they can cause serious degradation to quality of life, and in some cases, can even be deadly.

Finding a link between bacteria that live in the mouth and common bowel disorders could show the association between oral bacteria and bowel disorders. Patients with one of the three main types of bowel disorders also had higher than normal levels of oral bacteria in their feces, suggesting higher levels in their guts. Suspecting there may be a link, researchers conducted several experiments to learn more about the connection between the two types of bacteria.

In the first experiment, the researchers introduced human saliva from people with Crohn's disease into the guts of mice with a sterilized gut microbiome. A closer look revealed the bacteria responsible for the inflammation was Klebsiella pneumoniae, a strain commonly found in the human mouth, but seldom in the gut.

In another experiment, the researchers introduced the bacteria directly into the intestines of healthy mice and found it caused no problems. Giving the mice Klebsiella-resistant antibiotics once again caused inflammation when Klebsiella was introduced. Other experiments with saliva from colitis patients offered similar results. There may be a link between the oral bacteria and bowel disorders.
          haleplushearty.blogspot.com