Intestinal microbes might hold the solution for managing ulcerative colitis
In a groundbreaking development, scientists from Stanford University School of Medicine have identified a gut microbe deficient in people with ulcerative colitis (UC), a type of inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation and sores in the large intestine. The research, published in a leading journal, could pave the way for novel microbiome-based treatments.
The missing gut microbe, yet to be specifically identified in the Stanford study, is believed to play a significant role in the development of UC. One microbe often implicated in gut health and inflammatory bowel diseases like UC is Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, whose reduced presence is associated with inflammation.
The potential therapeutic approach involves restoring beneficial bacteria to rebalance the gut microbiome, reducing inflammation and promoting mucosal healing. This can happen through microbial replacement therapy or fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) using gut microbes that produce anti-inflammatory compounds, or the development of probiotics or defined bacterial consortia that include specific anti-inflammatory species.
The Stanford team is currently conducting a clinical trial to discover whether a secondary bile acid supplement can help people with refractory pouchitis, a condition that often affects UC patients. They have also found that secondary bile acids, which appear to have an anti-inflammatory effect in patients with pouchitis, may play a crucial role in this approach.
However, the exact gut microbe linked to UC discovered by the Stanford University School of Medicine team, or how replacing this microbe could lead to new treatments for the disease, is not detailed in the specific search results provided. For the most precise, up-to-date discovery specifics, it is recommended to consult recent Stanford publications or their press releases.
Meanwhile, it is important to note that treatment for UC usually begins with medications, but surgery may be necessary for some individuals. According to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, 23-45% of people with UC will eventually need surgery. Symptoms of UC can range from mild to severe and include abdominal pain, weight loss, diarrhea containing pus or blood, and other issues.
Surgery for UC involves the complete removal of the colon and rectum, followed by the creation of a stoma or an ileoanal reservoir. While these treatments can alleviate symptoms, they do not cure the disease. Therefore, ongoing research into microbiome-based treatments offers hope for those living with UC.
- The gut microbe yet to be specifically identified in the Stanford study is significant for gut health and inflammatory bowel diseases.
- Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, a microbe often linked to gut health and inflammatory bowel diseases, has a reduced presence associated with inflammation.
- The approach to treating UC involves restoring beneficial bacteria to rebalance the gut microbiome.
- This restoration can be achieved through microbial replacement therapy or fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT).
- FMT uses gut microbes that produce anti-inflammatory compounds.
- Probiotics or defined bacterial consortia that include specific anti-inflammatory species are also being developed.
- The Stanford team is conducting a trial to discover whether a secondary bile acid supplement can help people with refractory pouchitis.
- Secondary bile acids, with an anti-inflammatory effect in patients with pouchitis, may play a crucial role in treating UC.
- The exact gut microbe linked to UC discovered by the Stanford team is not detailed in the specific search results provided.
- For precise, up-to-date discovery specifics, it is recommended to consult recent Stanford publications or their press releases.
- Treatment for UC usually begins with medications, but surgery may be necessary for some individuals.
- Surgery for UC involves the complete removal of the colon and rectum.
- A stoma or an ileoanal reservoir is created after the surgery.
- While these treatments can alleviate symptoms, they do not cure the disease.
- Ongoing research into microbiome-based treatments offers hope for those living with UC.
- UC symptoms can range from mild to severe and include abdominal pain, weight loss, diarrhea containing pus or blood.
- Other issues related to UC include joint pain, skin rashes, and fatigue.
- According to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, 23-45% of people with UC will eventually need surgery.
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