Fecal Microbiota Transplant - new MC specific study

Supergirl · Post by **Supergirl** » Tue Sep 12, 2017 2:01 pm

I was browsing clinicaltrials.gov and noticed this new study in Sweden: "Fecal Microbiota Transplant in Patients with Microscopic Colitis.".

This is the first time I have seen a study on FMT specifically looking at those with MC, which is really exciting to me because there is fairly little information available other than sparse anecdotes and a few case studies. The study has good as well as questionable points. N=10. I see that they are excluding those with c-diff, celiac disease, diagnosed lactose intolerance, as well as meds, probiotics, antibiotics. I will say that the protocol for administrating FMT is hotly debated - route administered, use of meds prior to (I've seen protocols with prednisone, antibiotics...) - this seems interesting in that the first FMT is by colonoscopy and subsequently by enema. I would be interested in reading their justification for that, as well as for only 3 total treatments. And of course, the follow-up after 6 months is apparently optional, so long-term remission won't necessarily be documented. (Though if I could get 6 months of remission for a twice a year FMT...would take it.)

FMT is like the wild west, though the gut microbiome is like the percentage of our universe that remains unknown...we've the barest understanding of what it is, what's contained therein, what it does, how it works. This is the kind of science that I really love watching unfold.

Thought I'd share for anyone who follows these things!

Post by **tex** » Tue Sep 12, 2017 2:40 pm

Yes, the Scandinavian countries are way ahead of the U. S. and the rest of the world on MC research in general. This is like most medical research projects — they don't follow up anywhere near long enough to actually determine how well the treatment might work out in the real world . . . but interesting nonetheless.

Thanks for posting this.

Tex

Supergirl · Post by **Supergirl** » Fri Sep 15, 2017 9:11 am

tex wrote:Yes, the Scandinavian countries are way ahead of the U. S. and the rest of the world on MC research in general. This is like most medical research projects — they don't follow up anywhere near long enough to actually determine how well the treatment might work out in the real world . . . but interesting nonetheless.

Thanks for posting this.

Tex

Yeah, I was disappointed that it was only 6 months...but perhaps if there is a positive result, there will be further studies with longer follow-up. I have also seen it suggested that being in remission first prior to FMT increases likelihood of acceptance of the transplant versus doing it while disease is active...ramping up an already high alert immune response. So that may be a confounding factor also.

That Swedish study on 199 folks with MC was one of the most useful I've read! Why are they so far ahead of us?? Higher prevalence?

Post by **tex** » Fri Sep 15, 2017 9:42 am

I suspect they've always been ahead of the rest of the world on MC research. I have no idea why. There is a high prevalence of the disease there, but that's true for many countries. The medical community just seems to be more "in tune" with reality there.

Tex

Lilja · Post by **Lilja** » Sat Sep 16, 2017 3:11 am

I saw an interview on tv with an American scientist who used to work for reknown universities in the U.S. on climate changes, and who had moved to Norway, saying this was the best place to do science. In the U.S. 2 % of the spendable budget (the non-defence related) is dedicated towards science, while the investment per capita in Norway is 10 times of what it is in the U.S.

I didn't know this, and maybe this is part of the answer regarding research in Scandinavia in general.

Lilja

Post by **tex** » Sat Sep 16, 2017 7:38 am

That sounds about right. In the U. S., most medical research is financed by Big Pharma, for example. So you know how impartial and honest that is. And it explains why virtually all medical treatments in the U. S. recommend the use of the latest ultra-expensive drugs.

Tex

Gabes-Apg · Post by **Gabes-Apg** » Sun Sep 17, 2017 9:24 pm

I am part of a gut health group on FB and thus far have not seen anyone with any IBD issues get more than 3-6 months benefit from FMT.

one aspect to FMT success is dental health.
if you have any dental issues, every time you eat and drink you are overloading your gut with bacteria from the mouth.
gut health is top to bottom, ie - mouth to anus.