The Mayo Clinic reported on some interesting research this week. A study conducted in mice has shown a link between the presence of a particular bacteria in the gut, called Collinsella, and increased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. This bacteria is not usually found in the intestines but was found in significant numbers in people with rheumatoid arthritis, inspiring researchers to run a test in mice.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks itself, causing damage to joints with swelling and pain. It can also cause damage to other parts of the body, including the skin, eyes, heart, lung and blood vessels. To date, no cause or cures have been identified, and treatments focus on relieving pain and swelling, and slowing the progression of the disease.
Researchers treated the mice by introducing a specific good bacterial flora to compete with the unwanted bacteria. This resulted in decreased symptoms and fewer inflammatory indicators associated with rheumatoid arthritis in the treated mice.
Since mice’s immune systems and arthritis processes are similar to those in humans, this suggests that a similar treatment could give people relief from this difficult to treat disease. Further, it suggest that examining intestinal bacteria may provide a way to detect who is at risk of developing arthritis and even the possibility of preventing it from occurring. It is expected that, like the mice, humans will be unlikely to experience side effects from this treatment.
The Mayo Clinic is also researching other autoimmune and infection problems that might possibly be related to improper bacteria in our digestive systems. These include conditions such as:
Gluten sensitivity
Irritable bowel syndrome
C. Difficile gut infection
Colon cancer
Bacterial vaginosis and reproductive health problems
While it will be interesting to see results of human trials using treatment of RA with good bacteria, there is no reason not to try this therapy on yourself if you are suffering with one of these diseases. Discuss this possibility with your physician! There are many good quality probiotics available without prescription that might give similar results to the product used in the mice experiment in arthritis.
This ties in closely with my earlier book review blog post, Bacteria for Breakfast, http://jeanniebeaudin.wixsite.com/author/single-post/2016/07/22/Bacteria-for-Breakfast-Probiotics-for-Good-Health-%E2%80%93-A-book-review that discusses how gut bacteria can influence the function of the immune system. Click here if you missed it!
Reference: Mayo Clinic Microbiome Program and https://www.ScienceDaily.com/releases/2016/07/160711151315.htm
