Gut microbiota of MS patients differs from healthy controls.
MS patients show lower levels of good bacteria. “Every human carries trillions of bacteria in their gut (gut microbiome) and recent advances in research indicate that these tiny passengers play an important role in our overall health maintenance,” says Ashutosh Mangalam, PhD, assistant professor of pathology at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine.
Since the bacteria are associated with contributing to good health, Mangalam and his colleagues wondered whether those with a chronic autoimmune disorder, such as multiple sclerosis, would then have a gut microbiome that is different than the microbiome found in healthy individuals. “Although preliminary, our data suggest that patients with MS have reduced levels of good bacteria responsible for overall benefits obtained from consuming healthy foods, such as soybean and flaxseeds,” says Mangalam.
Microbial signatures of the gut microbiota of MS patients.
Mangalam and his team from Mayo Clinic conducted microbiome analysis on fecal samples collected from MS patients as well as healthy control subjects. “We identified certain bacteria which are increased or decreased in the gut of patients with MS compared to healthy controls,” he says. Mangalam says further research is needed to confirm the team’s findings in a larger patient population. http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-06/uoih-urf062716.php
http://www.nature.com/articles/srep28484
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