Can probiotics have a negative effect on bacteria in the gut?
For a long time about so-called probiotics are known to have a positive influence on the bacteria in our intestines. Researchers found, however, that probiotics can make a difference in the gut that there occurring bacteria to function less effective or even completely against their host.
In a recent investigation by the Washington University in St. Louis, it was found that probiotics have a positive effect on our intestines. Probiotics can lead to health problems. The results of the study were published in the English scientific journal “Cell Host and Microbe”.
Microbes in the intestine are important for health
Several studies have already shown the importance of the microbes in our intestines for our health are and how they affect our risk for cancer, depression and Diabetes. Probiotics to restore the balance in the gut, certain food allergies to cure or the effectiveness of the antibiotic to increase. In the worst case, which is actually a healthy bacteria can get, however in the gut is out of control and lead to unpleasant bloating, forgetfulness, and mental confusion.
Bacteria can change their mode of action
In the intestine a delicate balance between healthy and unhealthy bacteria. This complex System can adapt over time to new circumstances, and bacteria can alter the abilities and effects in the body. If living organisms are used as a medicine, it must be clear that this will adjust in the body. There is no microbe that is against the Evolution of immune, say the researchers. This is not a reason to refrain from the development of probiotic-based therapies, but it is important for further research to better understand how and under what circumstances the bacteria in the body change, add the authors.
How was the attempt?
In the current study, it was investigated how a than E. coli Nissle (EcN) well-known probiotic to the different conditions in the intestine of mice adapted. In the study groups of mice with different types of intestinal mikrobi omen began to take different forms of diet. After five weeks, the researchers examined the DNA of the probiotics in the intestine, in order to determine, as they had under these different combinations of changes. There were four groups with different types of intestinal mikrobi omen. One group had a normal intestinal microbiome with healthy bacteria. One group had a regular, antibiotic-treated gut microbiome. The third group showed no bacteria present in the intestine, and the last group had a Microbiome with limited diversity, which imitated an unhealthy colon. The animals received three different forms of the diet. One group ate regular mice feed in the Form of a fibre-rich food, which should mimic a natural diet of the animals. A other diet consisted of Pellets that were rich in fat and sugar and low in fiber included and a modern Western human nutrition reminded. The last Form of the food containing the Pellets in the style of a Western diet with fiber additives.
What impact could be observed?
At the end of the five weeks, the DNA of the microbes was analyzed. The Team found that the probiotics had adapted in animals with less healthy mikrobi omen and the food is pretty good, while in healthy mice, not a lot of Evolution took place. In diet changed forms with a high sugar content of the probiotic, to be able to more kinds of sugar. The bacteria, discovered antibiotics, developed quickly a resistance to this. Other bacteria have even developed the ability to consume the intestinal mucosa and to turn effective against the host.
Results could improve future treatments
Evolution is a matter of course. The principles of Evolution can be used to develop a better therapeutic agent, which is carefully tailored to the individual. The Team of researchers explained that the understanding of how probiotics develop in the intestine, could lead to more individualized treatments on the basis of the Multiple of a Person, which could contribute to the treatment of a number of diseases. The researchers used the results to develop a potential probiotic treatment of a metabolic disorder known as phenylketonuria. People with this disorder are unable to metabolize phenylalanine Metabo, which can cause high-level brain damage. Genetically modified mice, which were able to handle this no phenylalanine was added to a Gene, the bacteria phenyl were able to reduce alanine. In fact, halved in some mice, the levels of phenylalanine within a day. (as)