Ulcerative Colitis and Missing Gut Bugs
Ulcerative Colitis and Missing Gut Bugs
By Liz Moon, NP
Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory condition in which the immune system attacks tissue in the rectum or colon. The disease affects about 1 million people in the United States. The disease has no cure and it is believed to be caused by a number of factors including genetics, over active immune system, diet, and environment. In a recent study by scientists at Stanford, investigators have linked the condition to a missing microbe.
Stanford Medicine: Stanford scientists link ulcerative colitis to missing gut microbes
“This study helps us to better understand the disease,” said Aida Habtezion, MD, associate professor of gastroenterology and hepatology. “We hope it also leads to our being able to treat it with a naturally produced metabolite [made by microbes] that’s already present in high amounts in a healthy gut.”
In comparing ulcerative colitis patients to a control group, the investigators found a “large difference in levels of a group of substances called secondary bile acids in the intestines. The investigators measured these metabolite levels by examining the participants’ stool samples.”
Investigators showed that a single bacterial family — Ruminococcaceae — was markedly underrepresented in ulcerative colitis… In addition, a gene analysis of all the gut bacteria showed that the genes for making enzymes related to secondary bile acids were underrepresented in the ulcerative colitis patients.
The researchers showed, “In three different mouse models of colitis, supplementation with lithocholic acid and deoxycholic acid (two most prominent secondary bile acids) reduced infiltration by inflammatory immune cells and levels of several inflammatory signaling proteins and chemicals in the mice’s intestines.” Dr. Habtezion and colleagues are currently conducting a Phase 2 trial at Standford, investigating the anti-inflammatory effects of oral supplementation with ursodeoxycholic acid (a naturally occurring secondary bile acid) with certain ulcerative colitis patients.
The study is encouraging and exciting to see new research related to inflammatory bowel disease. If you have inflammatory bowel disease such as Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn’s disease please get in touch today! We take special pride in caring for this patient population and look forward to hearing from you. Call us at 224-407-4400 or find us on the web at www.compgihealth.com
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