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Gut bacteria could tip balance in developing celiac disease or staying healthy

Gluten could be metabolized by bacteria

Date:
August 24, 2016
Source:
McMaster University
Summary:
Mice that harbored in their gut the opportunistic bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Psa) isolated from celiac patients, metabolized gluten differently than mice treated with Lactobacillus, often used as probiotics, new research shows. More interestingly, when the chemistry of gluten metabolism by Psa and Lactobacillus were analyzed, the researchers found that Psa produced gluten sequences that stimulated inflammation in celiac patients, while Lactobacillus was able to detoxify gluten.
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About 40 per cent of the population have a genetic disposition to celiac disease, but only about one per cent develop the autoimmune condition when exposed to gluten, and this could be promoted by the type of bacteria present in the gut.

Researchers at McMaster University have found that gluten, a common protein in the Western diet which is not well digested by the gut enzymes, could be metabolized by bacteria.

The scientists of the Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute at McMaster University discovered that mice that harboured in their gut the opportunistic bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Psa) isolated from celiac patients, metabolized gluten differently than mice treated with Lactobacillus, often used as probiotics.

More interestingly, when the chemistry of gluten metabolism by Psa and Lactobacillus were analysed, the researchers found that Psa produced gluten sequences that stimulated inflammation in celiac patients, while Lactobacillus was able to detoxify gluten.

The paper, published online in the international medical journal Gastroenterology, was funded by a grant from the Canadian Institutes for Health Research and involved researchers in Canada, Australia and Germany.

"So the type of bacteria that we have in our gut contributes to the digestion of gluten, and the way this digestion is performed could increase or decrease the chances of developing celiac disease in a person with genetic risk," said Dr. Elena Verdu, senior author of the study and an associate professor of medicine for the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine at McMaster.

"Celiac disease is caused by gluten in genetically predisposed people, but bacteria in our gut could tip the balance in some people between developing the disease or staying healthy."

Celiac disease is the inflammatory reaction triggered by eating gluten, which is a group of proteins found in wheat, rye and barley, and which leads to destruction of the gut lining. The number of people who suffer from celiac disease has been steadily increasing in the past decade, and some researchers feel it may be blamed on environmental factors.

"We may be closer to understanding the way gut bacteria and opportunistic pathogens such as Psa could affect celiac disease risk. This will help us develop strategies to prevent these disorders, but more research is needed," said Verdu.


Story Source:

Materials provided by McMaster University. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Alberto Caminero, Heather J. Galipeau, Justin L. McCarville, Chad W. Johnston, Steve P. Bernier, Amy K. Russell, Jennifer Jury, Alexandra R. Herran, Javier Casqueiro, Jason A. Tye-Din, Michael G. Surette, Nathan A. Magarvey, Detlef Schuppan, Elena F. Verdu. Duodenal Bacteria From Patients With Celiac Disease and Healthy Subjects Distinctly Affect Gluten Breakdown and Immunogenicity. Gastroenterology, 2016; DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2016.06.041

Cite This Page:

McMaster University. "Gut bacteria could tip balance in developing celiac disease or staying healthy." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 24 August 2016. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/08/160824135312.htm>.
McMaster University. (2016, August 24). Gut bacteria could tip balance in developing celiac disease or staying healthy. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 28, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/08/160824135312.htm
McMaster University. "Gut bacteria could tip balance in developing celiac disease or staying healthy." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/08/160824135312.htm (accessed March 28, 2024).

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