IBD tagged posts

Scientists unlock gut-healing power of fruits and nuts paired with the right gut microbes

University of Louisville researchers have discovered how a naturally occurring microbial compound may help protect the gut and support future treatment strategies for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

IBD, which includes conditions such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, affects millions of people worldwide. The disease is characterized by chronic inflammation and damage to the intestinal lining. A healthy gut barrier helps keep harmful bacteria from leaking out of the intestines while allowing nutrients to enter the body. In people with IBD, that barrier becomes weakened, leading to inflammation, pain and long-term complications.

A research team led by Venkatakrishna Rao Jala, associate professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology and UofL’s Brown Cancer C...

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Scientists unlock gut-healing power of fruits and nuts paired with the right gut microbes

University of Louisville researchers have discovered how a naturally occurring microbial compound may help protect the gut and support future treatment strategies for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

IBD, which includes conditions such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, affects millions of people worldwide. The disease is characterized by chronic inflammation and damage to the intestinal lining. A healthy gut barrier helps keep harmful bacteria from leaking out of the intestines while allowing nutrients to enter the body. In people with IBD, that barrier becomes weakened, leading to inflammation, pain and long-term complications.

A research team led by Venkatakrishna Rao Jala, associate professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology and UofL’s Brown Cancer C...

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Novel antibiotic targets IBD—and AI predicted how it would work before scientists could prove it

Two researchers pose in a university laboratory.
McMaster graduate student Denise Catacutan (left) and assistant professor Jon Stokes (right) have discovered a new antibiotic — and they leveraged cutting-edge AI to determine how it works.

Researchers at McMaster University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have made two scientific breakthroughs at once: they not only discovered a brand-new antibiotic that targets inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), but also successfully used a new type of AI to predict exactly how the drug works. To their knowledge, this is a global first for the AI.

Detailed in the journal Nature Microbiology, the discovery unveils a promising new treatment option for millions of people affected by Crohn’s disease and other related conditions, while also showcasing important new applications fo...

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Researchers may have solved decades-old mystery behind benzodiazepine side effects

A research team led by Virginia Commonwealth University and Columbia University has gained novel insights into a protein suspected to be involved in benzodiazepine-related inflammation. (Getty Images)

Benzodiazepines like Valium and Xanax are often prescribed to treat anxiety, insomnia and seizures. While these drugs can be effective as a short-term treatment, researchers are trying to better understand the impact of benzodiazepines after extended use.

Some experts believe long-term use of the medication may influence inflammation levels in our bodies, as previous research has shown that benzodiazepines may increase the risk of developing or worsening inflammatory conditions, like lung inflammation and inflammatory bowel disease...

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