Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard’s Post

Recent metagenomic analysis of the paediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (PoMS) gut microbiome found differences in the microbial communities and their functions. The human gut microbiome is a collection of microorganisms including bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses that live in the gastrointestinal tract; the highest density of microbes are present in the colon. These microbes play a vital role in our health. While the cause of MS, a neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative disease, remains unknown, environmental and lifestyle factors are believed to play a greater role than genetics in the susceptibility to MS—there is a vital need to identify these other factors. One such potential environmental factor is the gut microbiota which plays a critical role in the development and response of the immune system, affects the function of the central nervous system (CNS), and can interact with other environmental exposures such as diets or the effect of medications. Read it 'explained' in plain language. 👇 https://lnkd.in/gafTAJQ9

Study Identifies Potential Link Between Gut Microbiome and Atherosclerosis

Unveiling the Gut Microbiome's Impact on Health through Metagenomics! Metagenomics focuses on studying the genetic material present in environmental samples, such as soil, water, or the human body. In the context of health, metagenomics primarily refers to the study of microbial communities within the human body, particularly the gut microbiome.   The gut microbiome is a diverse and complex ecosystem of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms that reside in our gastrointestinal tract. These microbes play a crucial role in various aspects of human health, including digestion, metabolism, immune system regulation, and brain function.   The impacts of metagenomics on health include: 1.     Infectious Disease Detection: Metagenomics is instrumental in identifying new or emerging pathogens, especially in cases where traditional methods might fail. Analyzing DNA or RNA fragments in a sample enables quick detection and characterization of infectious agents, aiding in outbreak management and prevention. 2.     Microbial Ecology and Balance: A healthy microbiome is characterized by a diverse and balanced community of microbes. Metagenomics helps us understand how disruptions in this balance (dysbiosis) can contribute to disease. Restoring balance through interventions like probiotics or fecal microbiota transplantation has shown promise in certain conditions. 3.     Disease Association and Biomarker Discovery: Metagenomic studies have revealed associations between the composition of the gut microbiome and various health conditions. For instance, differences in the gut microbiomes of individuals with conditions like obesity, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, and even mental health disorders have been observed. By identifying specific microbial signatures, biomarkers can be developed for early disease detection.   4.     Understanding Microbial Function: Metagenomics allows the exploration of the functional capabilities of the entire microbial community, not just individual species. This provides insights into the metabolic pathways and interactions between different microbes. Understanding these functions can help in identifying how certain microbes contribute to health or disease.   5.     Personalized Medicine: Metagenomics data can be used to tailor treatments to an individual's specific microbiome profile. This includes developing personalized dietary recommendations, probiotics, or even targeted therapies that manipulate the microbiome to promote health.   6.     Drug Development and Therapies: Metagenomics can reveal potential therapeutic targets within the microbiome. Certain microbial species might produce compounds with beneficial effects on health. Researchers can isolate and harness these compounds for drug development. #metagenomics #gutmicrobiome #Health #CMBGenomics    

Researchers have long known that diet had a key role to play in saving the lives of hundreds of newborns diagnosed with an Inherited Metabolic Disorder (IMD) in Australia each year. The problem was that each individual disorder is genetically unique — so rare in fact, that modern medicine did not have the tools to develop and test new, tailored dietary treatments before the infant suffered organ failure or an untimely death. 'Many children die from potentially treatable disease due to a lack of investigation into relatively simple dietary cures,' says Dr Travis Johnson. Enter the fruit fly, 𝘋𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘰𝘱𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘢 𝘮𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘨𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳. This remarkable insect: ☑ Shares 75% of disease-causing genes with humans ☑ Have a short life span ☑ Reproduce quickly and prodigiously ☑ Enjoy a surprisingly similar metabolism to humans As such, 𝘋𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘰𝘱𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘢 are perfectly suited to testing—swiftly and on mass—the diverse array of IMDs that devastate families all over the world. Exploiting the novel benefits of the fruit fly for IMD research, a world-first study co-led by Dr Johnson discovered that nearly three quarters of the fruit flies they tested were critically affected by what they were fed, opening up a host of new avenues of research into treatments that may alleviate the impacts of rare metabolic disorders. #latrobeuni #genetics #medicalresearch #rarediseases

This is such a fascinating topic. The power of the microbiome is so completely underestimated, but I believe it will eventually become a center piece in the complex puzzle of the human body. The capacity to alter gene expression, pharmacological response and even mental health conditions makes nutritional adjustments, suplementation and a microbiome-friendly oriented diet an extremely powerful tool to increase overall health and increase medical treatment benefits. https://lnkd.in/dpEg24D4

In this study, researchers investigated the potential protective effects of a medium-chain triglyceride ketogenic diet in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease. They looked at the damage to specific brain cells, the gut bacteria, and the substances produced by the gut bacteria.  The results showed that a long-term ketogenic diet significantly reduced damage to dopamine-producing neurons in the brain, which are affected in Parkinson's disease. The ketogenic diet also had antioxidant effects and reduced oxidative stress in the neurons. It protected the mitochondria and inhibited the activation of microglia, immune cells in the brain.  Additionally, the ketogenic diet altered the composition of gut bacteria and the metabolites they produce, which influenced the metabolism of neurons in the brain region affected by Parkinson's disease. Overall, the study suggests that the medium-chain triglyceride ketogenic diet has multiple protective effects against Parkinson's disease. --- Journal: Nature, Cell Death Discovery “Neuroprotective effect of a medium-chain triglyceride ketogenic diet on MPTP-induced Parkinson's disease mice: a combination of transcriptomics and metabolomics in the substantia nigra and fecal microbiome” Authors: Wenlong Zhang; Shiyu Chen; Xingting Huang; Huichun Tong; Hongxin Niu; Lingli Lu Link to study in the comments. Follow for more research news! #keto #ketogenicdiet #nutritionaltherapy #research #parkinsonsdisease

In this study, researchers investigated the potential protective effects of a medium-chain triglyceride ketogenic diet in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease. They looked at the damage to specific brain cells, the gut bacteria, and the substances produced by the gut bacteria. The results showed that a long-term ketogenic diet significantly reduced damage to dopamine-producing neurons in the brain, which are affected in Parkinson's disease. The ketogenic diet also had antioxidant effects and reduced oxidative stress in the neurons. It protected the mitochondria and inhibited the activation of microglia, immune cells in the brain. Additionally, the ketogenic diet altered the composition of gut bacteria and the metabolites they produce, which influenced the metabolism of neurons in the brain region affected by Parkinson's disease. Overall, the study suggests that the medium-chain triglyceride ketogenic diet has multiple protective effects against Parkinson's disease. — Zhang W, Chen S, Huang X, Tong H, Niu H, Lu L. Neuroprotective effect of a medium-chain triglyceride ketogenic diet on MPTP-induced Parkinson's disease mice: a combination of transcriptomics and metabolomics in the substantia nigra and fecal microbiome. Cell Death Discov. 2023 Jul 17;9(1):251. doi: 10.1038/s41420-023-01549-0. PMID: 37460539; PMCID: PMC10352270. 📌 Link to study: https://lnkd.in/g9j8THqe Follow for more research news! #Parkinsons #keto #ketogenicdiet #nutritionaltherapy #research

Scientists at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging have discovered that dietary restriction, such as intermittent fasting or low-calorie diets, plays a crucial role in slowing cognitive decline and extending human lifespan. The study identified a gene called OXR1, which is enhanced by dietary restriction and contributes to neuroprotection, delaying aging and slowing neurodegenerative diseases. The research also revealed the importance of the retromer pathway in maintaining neurons and protecting against age-related brain problems, emphasizing the profound impact of dietary choices on cellular health, brain functionality, and longevity. #DietaryRestriction #BrainHealth #Longevity

The gut microbiota is a key player in the onset of gut inflammation in patients with Crohn's disease (CD). But to what extent is the gut microbiota the chicken or the egg in CD? 💡 For the first time scientists found that changes in the composition of the gut microbiota precede CD onset by up to 5 years (breakthrough paper of 2023): ✅ The researchers developed a microbiome risk score using machine learning from almost 3500 healthy first-degree relatives of patients with CD around the world ✅ The top five taxa that contributed the most to predicting CD onset were: 🔸 the genera Ruminococcus torques 🔸 Blautia 🔸 Colidextribacter 🔸 an uncultured genus-level group of Oscillospiraceae 🔸 Roseburia ✅ The microbiome risk score was linked to CD independent of fecal calprotectin levels 📚 Keep up to date with the potential implications of these findings in your daily practice: https://loom.ly/qOO1mPU

New research from Harvard University suggests that people living with multiple sclerosis do not respond to a single, unique target of the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV). It was thought that this may help explain why some people develop MS after exposure to the virus, while other people do not. Future studies will look at investigating this in larger cohorts, as well as analysing interactions between EBV and other known genetic and environmental risk factors. #multiplesclerosis #ms #epsteinbarrvirus #ebv #harvarduniversity #medicalresearch #scientificresearch