 | | | | Related Healthscout Videos | |
|
(Ivanhoe Newswire) Researchers did a gut check, and may have come up with the solution to a painful condition known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
The scientists found a molecule produced by bacteria in the guts intestinal make-up can eliminate symptoms of IBD, a condition that includes Crohns disease. The research included work from experts at Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Womens Hospital and the California Institute of Technology.
Text Continues Below
Given the sheer number of bacteria in the gut, the potential for discovering new molecules that can treat a whole range of these diseases is promising, Dennis Kasper, co-lead author on the study was quoted as saying.
Scientists have known for decades that the mammals gut is an ecosystem teeming with about 1,000 different species of bacteria. Rather than causing disease, these bacteria are responsible for protecting against infection and aiding digestion.
Researchers who conducted several studies involving mice found a sugar molecule called polysaccharide A (PSA) effectively kept mice from developing the disease, even when theyd been injected with another bacteria.
This demonstrated for us the mechanism by which PSA protects against IBD, Kasper, from Harvard Medical School, was quoted as saying. While much more work must be done before the treatment could be tried in people, the researchers believe theyre on the road to a possible new therapy for this troublesome condition.
Sign up for a free weekly e-mail on Medical Breakthroughs called First to Know by clicking here.
SOURCE: Nature, published online May 29, 2008
This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.
|
.gif)
