Multi-Microbiome-Mashup
Many of you will recall last week I made a plea for submissions as the subs queue was all but empty. One of our regular contributors did us proud and provided about a dozen stories, some of which you have already seen. But, unusually, they were all connected by a single topic - the gut microbiome.
Several of you have made comments that you are aware of the strong link between the microbiome and various medical problems and issues. Rather than drag all the other stories out gradually, I have created a mashup of the remaining stories.
There are quite a few..... Thanks c0lo!
Gut Microbiome Could Delay Onset of Type 1 DiabetesGut microbiome could delay onset of type 1 diabetes:
Researchers at The University of Queensland have found improving the function of the gut microbiome may delay the onset of type 1 diabetes (T1D).
Professor Emma Hamilton-Williams, from the Frazer Institutesaid 21 individuals with T1D were given an oral biotherapy containing short chain fatty acids (SCFA), which are metabolites usually produced by gut bacteria during the fermentation of dietary fibre.
"Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune illness, and we know there is something different about the gut microbiome and gut barrier function that we think changes the immune response in individuals with the disease," Professor Hamilton-Williams said.
"We've learned that it is possible to change the microbiome in individuals with T1D, and when we have done that, we have seen changes in the gut barrier function.
"Then when we further tested that microbiome by transferring it into mice, it delayed the onset of diabetes."
Short chain fatty acids are one of the cornerstone beneficial functions of the gut's community of microorganisms, which play essential roles in digestion, immunity and overall health.
"There have been other approaches to restoring short chain fatty acids, like giving probiotic bacteria or capsules, but they haven't really worked," Professor Hamilton-Williams said.
"This has been the first time in T1D studies where researchers have managed to increase short chain fatty acids in individuals."
Co-senior author Dr Eliana Marino, from Monash University, said by analysing the unique profiles of small molecules or metabolites in individuals with T1D, the study uncovered new ways to measure and potentially manipulate the pathways that influence immune function.
"These findings suggest microbiome interventions could stop Type 1 Diabetes in its tracks to potentially delay, or even prevent T1D, giving patients a chance to stay healthier for longer and increase their lifespan," Dr Eliana Marino said.
Read more of this story at SoylentNews.