• A friend, not foe: Parasite in gastroint

    From ScienceDaily@1:317/3 to All on Monday, April 25, 2022 22:30:44
    A friend, not foe: Parasite in gastrointestinal system found to promote
    health

    Date:
    April 25, 2022
    Source:
    National University of Singapore, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
    Summary:
    Researchers have demonstrated that a gut parasite suppresses
    inflammation and improves the health of the gastrointestinal system.



    FULL STORY ==========================================================================
    The human gut -- or gastrointestinal system -- where food is broken down
    into nutrients for the body, is an ecosystem that harbours thousands
    of bacteria species, whose interactions determine its health and
    susceptibility to diseases. While some microorganisms are harmful, many
    are beneficial and help keep the human body in good health. It is largely accepted that the more diverse the species of bacteria, the greater
    capacity the gut has in regulating its health and combating diseases.


    ========================================================================== Higher levels of certain types of bacteria, or parasites, can result in
    an unhealthy gut, which causes conditions like inflammation disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhea, and
    constipation. However, in a study conducted by researchers from the NUS
    Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (NUS Medicine), a common parasite that
    inhabits the gastrointestinal tracts of humans, Blastocystissubtype (ST)
    4, was found to be associated with benefits for the gut.

    Led by research fellows Dr Deng Lei, Dr Png Chin Wen and Dr Lukasz
    Wojciech from the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at NUS
    Medicine, the study showed that the parasite suppresses inflammation
    in the gut and displays properties of probiotics that keep the gut
    healthy. Published in the journal Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences,
    the series of experiments found that the parasite stabilised the bacteria ecosystem in the gut of laboratory models, and promoted quicker recovery
    from inflammation.

    Dr Deng Lei, one of the authors of the study, said, "When one thinks
    of parasites, we do not normally associate them as beneficial
    organisms. However, the study proved that BlastocystisST4is not
    a pathogen, butcould in fact promote better health of the gut."
    The ability of BlastocystisST4in restructuring the state of the gut into
    a healthy composition of microorganisms could be a result of its ability
    to increase the types of bacteria that produce beneficial molecules, as
    well as increase immune cells that dampen inflammation. The findings of
    the study suggest that the detection of the parasite may in fact be linked
    to the presence of a healthy gut, and the microorganism could potentially
    be translated into probiotics to treat inflammation in patients.

    Dr Png Chin Wen, another author of the study, added, "Our data indicates
    that BlastocystisST4 behaves like an 'ecosystem engineer' that helps
    keep the bacterial environment of the gut diverse and versatile, to
    better combat potential diseases that may arise." "The common view of
    bacteria is that they are either good or bad. However, interactions
    between bacteria and the human body evolve over time, and the key is
    finding a balance that can cultivate a healthy environment for the gut,"
    said Dr Lukasz Wojciech, a co-author of the study.

    While BlastocystisST4 is shown to have beneficial properties, not all
    the subtypes of Blastocystis necessarily behave the same way, added the researchers. As found in an earlier study, a team from the School proved
    that another subtype could be harmful to the gut. Clinically, it is key
    for further studies to investigate the behaviour of the microorganism's
    various subtypes, for a more complete assessment of their respective implications.


    ========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by National_University_of_Singapore,_Yong_Loo_Lin_School_of Medicine. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


    ========================================================================== Journal Reference:
    1. Lei Deng, Lukasz Wojciech, Chin Wen Png, Eileen Yiling Koh, Thet Tun
    Aung, Dorinda Yan Qin Kioh, Eric Chun Yong Chan, Benoit
    Malleret, Yongliang Zhang, Guangneng Peng, Nicholas Robert John
    Gascoigne, Kevin Shyong Wei Tan. Experimental colonization with
    Blastocystis ST4 is associated with protective immune responses
    and modulation of gut microbiome in a DSS-induced colitis mouse
    model. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, 2022; 79 (5) DOI:
    10.1007/s00018-022-04271-9 ==========================================================================

    Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/04/220425104908.htm

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