Changes in the gut bacteria protect against stroke
December 5, 2012 in Medical research
(Medical Xpress)—Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology and University of Gothenburg demonstrate that an altered gut microbiota in humans is associated with symptomatic atherosclerosis and stroke. These findings are presented in a study published in Nature Communications.
The human body contains ten times more bacterial cells than human cells, most of which are found in the gut. These bacteria contain an enormous number of genes in addition to our host genome, and are collectively known as the gut metagenome.
How does the metagenome affect our health? This question is currently being addressed by researchers in the rapidly expanding field of metagenomic research. Several diseases have been linked to variations in the metagenome. Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology and Gothenburg University now also show that changes in the gut metagenome can be linked to atherosclerosis and stroke.
The researchers compared a group of stroke patients with a group of healthy subjects and found major differences in their gut microbiota. In particular, they showed that genes required for the production of carotenoids were more frequently found in gut microbiota from healthy subjects. The healthy subjects also had significantly higher levels of a certain carotenoid in the blood than the stroke survivors.

The study showed that genes required for the production of carotenoids were more frequently found in gut microbiota from healthy subjects.
Carotenoids are a type of antioxidant, and it has been claimed for many years that they protect against angina and stroke. Thus, the increased incidence of carotenoid-producing bacteria in the gut of healthy subjects may offer clues to explain how the gut metagenome affects disease states.Carotenoids are marketed today as a dietary supplement. The market for them is huge, but clinical studies of their efficacy in protecting against angina and stroke have produced varying results. Jens Nielsen, Professor of Systems Biology at Chalmers, says that it may be preferable to take probiotics instead – for example dietary supplements containing types of bacteria that produce carotenoids.

Bacteria (blue) sitting on a mucosal cell (green) in the gut. Credit: Frida Fåk
"Our results indicate that long-term exposure to carotenoids, through production by the bacteria in the digestive system, has important health benefits. These results should make it possible to develop new probiotics. We think that the bacterial species in the probiotics would establish themselves as a permanent culture in the gut and have a long-term effect"."By examining the patient's bacterial microbiota, we should also be able to develop risk prognoses for cardiovascular disease", says Fredrik Bäckhed, Professor of Molecular Medicine at Gothenburg University. "It should be possible to provide completely new disease-prevention options".
The researchers have now started a company, Metabogen, to further develop their discoveries relating to the metagenome. Their success is based on close cooperation between engineers, microbiologists and doctors.
Jens Nielsen and Fredrik Bäckhed both agree that one of the challenges in the rapidly developing area of metagenomics is its multidisciplinary facets, requiring novel collaborations and merging of research fields.
More information: Read the paper "Symptomatic atherosclerosis is associated with an altered gut metagenome."
Journal reference:
Nature Communications
Provided by
Chalmers University of Technology
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There are over 1000 known bacteria, yeasts, fungi, protozoa, etc. that thrive in the human digestive system, and they can be beneficial, neutral, or pathogenic. Some diseases (Type II diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis, obesity) may be very responsive to alterations in the microbial composition of the intestinal contents.
Already certain diseases (IBS, for example) can be treated with adjustments to the population distribution of digestive tract organisms.
AFAIK there is no data at all on the synergism between different species.
Dec 05, 2012
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A simple, and effective treatment has been used (at the University of Minnesota, I believe, amongst a few others). It is a fecal transplant. While sounding not too pleasant, it is essentially returning the gut to it's good equilibrium. It also shows how important the good bacteria are for a first line of defense for our immune system--very symbiotic indeed.
Dec 05, 2012
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This is a mindset to sell something to fix a problem while not addressing the problem at its roots.
Sure, there are a lot of poisons in processed foods, but overall, the usually largest part of an unhealthful person's diet really not suppose to be there under conditions of plenty are animals and animal products. The bacteria and microbes in flesh, milk and eggs are not something that we should be stocking up on if we have a choice.
Additionally, studies have shown that IBS is frequently caused by overproduction of certain bile to digest dairy products. Being as it is now accepted scientific fact that a vegan diet is sufficient for our nutritional needs, everything else that is unnecessary should go, which includes animal products, pesticides, hormones, and the like.