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This is especially interesting for those of us who suspect a role of e.coli in MC:
Years ago, Dr. Sanz noted that a group of bacteria native to the intestine known as bifidobacteria were relatively depleted in children with celiac disease compared with healthy controls. Other microbes, including native E. coli strains, were overly abundant and oddly virulent.
How to determine cause or consequence?
In a test tube, she found that those E. coli amplified the inflammatory response of human intestinal cells to gluten. But bifidobacteria switched the response from inflammation to tolerance.
AND
even if these microbial shifts reliably precede disease onset — as they do in larger studies on allergic disease — they’re still bedeviled by the old “chicken or the egg” question: Which comes first, the aberrant microbial community, or the aberrant immune response?
Bana Jabri, director of research at the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center, notes that immune disturbances change the microbial ecosystem. But here’s the catch: Even if the chicken comes first, she says, the egg can contribute. Rodent experiments show that intestinal inflammation can select for unfriendly bacteria that further inflame. “You can have a positive feedback loop,” she says.
SO your microbes change you, but your genes also shape your microbes — as do environment, breast milk, diet and antibiotics, among many other factors.
Such complexity both confounds notions of one-way causality and suggests different paths to the same disease. “You have the same endpoint,” Dr. Jabri says, “but how you get there may be variable.”
Hi, The use of probiotics has been growing rapidly in the past five years. The ads for yogurt and probiotic supplements have increased, but when will the doctors wake up. I asked my PCP for a script for VSL-No3 double strength and I had to educate him on the use of the probiotic. On the CBS evening news tonight the first story was about the best diet. After a five tear study they found that a Med. Diet was the best. High in vegetables, fruits, extra virgin olive oil, nuts, fish and poultry. The doctor they interviewed was asked why is the best. His answer was the oils from the olives, nuts, fish. Jon
I just saw a report on ABC news about the Mediterranean diet study too. Somehow in the final TV analysis, they threw in "whole grains" as number 2 in the list of what's in the diet. Oh well. People will now dunk their bread in lots more olive oil.
I'm a fan of olive oil, but there was no mention of omega 6/3 ratios in the diet, how the grains are prepared etc. A teachable moment lost.
The main thing is that they reinforced the misconception that whole grains are healthy. We all know that any healthy diet absolutely has to include whole grains. Not!
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
times they are a changin'. I still think, from my own family history, that MAP will be the bacteria that is ultimately the culprit. The study by Red Hill Pharmaceuticals is just 7 months away from the end of their 2 year study on their antibiotic to kill MAP in Crohn's patients. We can only hope that whatever comes of that study will give us MC'er's some answers.
Resolved MC symptoms successfully w/L-Glutamine, Probiotics and Vitamins, GF since 8/'09. DX w/MC 10/'09.
Well Connie, have you forgotten that I've also been suspicious of MAP for years? I even mentioned it in my book. I'm convinced that a state of chronic stress is necessary in order for MAP (or any other pathogen) to gain enough of an advantage to trigger the development of an IBD, but given a state of chronic stress, the presence of MAP could certainly qualify as an inflammatory agent sufficient to cause IBD.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Sorry, Tex, I guess I'd forgotten that and would have known that if I would finish reading your book, which also sounds horrible of me. I know many here have already read it more than once. Just been obsessed with my yard, sewing and taxes, which is no excuse.
I do find it hopeful that some progress is being made towards being able to test for the presence of this bacteria. Hopefully then the GI docs will have a pill they can prescribe, which seems to be all they are good for other than a d/x. 2 more people in my family have recently had intestinal surgeries - both of them are nurses.
Connie
Resolved MC symptoms successfully w/L-Glutamine, Probiotics and Vitamins, GF since 8/'09. DX w/MC 10/'09.
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