Fluctuations in the composition and diversity of the gut microbial community can affect organismal health in various ways. Low microbial diversity in the gut can increase a person’s susceptibility to potential pathogens, such as Salmonella spp. And changes in the balance between the two bacterial taxa most prominent in the gut, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, areContinueContinue reading “A signal that shifts gut microbial composition”
Tag Archives: digestive system
Round-the-clock eating influences metabolism
New research directed by Satchidananda Panda (Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA) shows that limiting food intake to a period of 9–12 hours instead of allowing round-the-clock consumption prevented and even reversed metabolic diseases in mice. Lab Anim. (NY) 44, 5 (2015). view full text (login required)
For lack of gut microbes, the blood–brain barrier ‘leaks’
The blood–brain barrier is a selectively permeable barrier between the brain extracellular fluid and the blood formed by capillary endothelial cells connected by tight junctions. The blood–brain barrier prevents potentially harmful molecules and cells from entering the brain and maintains microenvironmental conditions suitable for neuron growth. Its integrity is therefore crucial to proper brain function.ContinueContinue reading “For lack of gut microbes, the blood–brain barrier ‘leaks’”
A bitter pill for artificial sweeteners
Recent findings about the effects that calorie-free sweeteners can have on metabolism may leave a bad taste in the mouths of some consumers. Eran Segal and Eran Elinav (Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel) found that artificial sweeteners can induce glucose intolerance by altering intestinal microbial communities. The conclusion is based on results from multipleContinueContinue reading “A bitter pill for artificial sweeteners”
A link between gut bacteria and rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease marked by joint inflammation. Although its causes are unknown, mouse studies suggest that gut bacteria may be involved in supporting the immune response underlying inflammation. When scientists led by Dan Littman (New York University School of Medicine, NY) investigated this involvement, they found that a specific gut bacteriumContinueContinue reading “A link between gut bacteria and rheumatoid arthritis”
Molecular link between sodium and calcium transport
Calcium homeostasis in the body is maintained through coordination between renal, intestinal and bone tissues. Ingested calcium in the intestine is first absorbed into the blood and then is either deposited into bone or filtered in the kidney and then reabsorbed or excreted in urine. Excretion of large amounts of calcium in the urine, orContinueContinue reading “Molecular link between sodium and calcium transport”
Gut bacteria may modify obesity risk
Obesity is a pervasive and potentially lethal public health concern. The concept of energy balance is central to our understanding of obesity: excessive calorie intake combined with minimal physical activity creates a surplus of energy that is stored in the body as fat. This caloric algebra may be accurate, but it is an incomplete descriptionContinueContinue reading “Gut bacteria may modify obesity risk”
Fructokinase isoforms face off in metabolic syndrome
Dietary intake of fructose is associated with obesity, metabolic syndrome and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in humans, and fructose intake can induce metabolic syndrome in rats and in humans. These effects seem to be independent of excessive energy consumption and increased body weight. To investigate the mechanism linking fructose intake with metabolic syndrome, a researchContinueContinue reading “Fructokinase isoforms face off in metabolic syndrome”
Shielding mice from radiation toxicity
Exposure to radiation harms the body by damaging rapidly dividing cells, including those in the intestine, allowing potentially pathogenic bacteria to escape into the bloodstream and cause infection. Antibiotics, such as fluoroquinolone, are therefore frequently used as a treatment for radiation exposure. Radiation also depletes a protein called bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI), which normally acts toContinueContinue reading “Shielding mice from radiation toxicity”
New cytokine, new role in colitis
The cytokines are a large, varied group of signaling molecules involved in development, immune responses and cellular communication. Dysregulation of cytokines has been implicated in depression, Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, cancer and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In IBD, cytokines activate the immune system, causing chronic intestinal inflammation (colitis). But recent research led by Charles A. DinarelloContinueContinue reading “New cytokine, new role in colitis”
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