{"id":155930,"date":"2021-01-15T21:43:47","date_gmt":"2021-01-15T18:43:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/scientists-identify-nutrient-that-helps-prevent-bacterial-infection\/"},"modified":"2021-01-15T21:43:47","modified_gmt":"2021-01-15T18:43:47","slug":"scientists-identify-nutrient-that-helps-prevent-bacterial-infection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/scientists-identify-nutrient-that-helps-prevent-bacterial-infection\/","title":{"rendered":"#Scientists identify nutrient that helps prevent bacterial infection"},"content":{"rendered":"

“#Scientists identify nutrient that helps prevent bacterial infection<\/strong>”<\/p>\n

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\n Colorized scanning electron micrograph showing carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae interacting with a human neutrophil Credit: NIAID
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Scientists studying the body’s natural defenses against bacterial infection have identified a nutrient\u2014taurine\u2014that helps the gut recall prior infections and kill invading bacteria, such as Klebsiella pneumoniae<\/i> (Kpn<\/i>). The finding, published in the journal Cell<\/i> by scientists from five institutes of the National Institutes of Health, could aid efforts seeking alternatives to antibiotics.<\/p>\n


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Scientists know that microbiota\u2014the trillions of beneficial microbes living harmoniously inside our gut\u2014can protect people from bacterial infections, but little is known about how they provide protection. Scientists are studying the microbiota with an eye to finding or enhancing natural treatments to replace antibiotics, which harm microbiota and become less effective as bacteria develop drug resistance.<\/p>\n

The scientists observed that microbiota that had experienced prior infection and transferred to germ-free mice helped prevent infection with Kpn<\/i>. They identified a class of bacteria\u2014Deltaproteobacteria<\/i>\u2014involved in fighting these infections, and further analysis led them to identify taurine as the trigger for Deltaproteobacteria<\/i> activity.<\/p>\n

Taurine helps the body digest fats and oils and is found naturally in bile acids in the gut. The poisonous gas hydrogen sulfide is a byproduct of taurine. The scientists believe that low levels of taurine allow pathogens to colonize the gut, but high levels produce enough hydrogen sulfide to prevent colonization. During the study, the researchers realized that a single mild infection is sufficient to prepare the microbiota to resist subsequent infection, and that the liver and gallbladder\u2014which synthesize and store bile acids containing taurine\u2014can develop long-term infection protection.<\/p>\n

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\n Colorized scanning electron micrograph showing carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae interacting with a human neutrophil. Credit: NIAID
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The study found that taurine given to mice as a supplement in drinking water also prepared the microbiota to prevent infection. However, when mice drank water containing bismuth subsalicylate\u2014a common over-the-counter drug used to treat diarrhea and upset stomach\u2014infection protection waned because bismuth inhibits hydrogen sulfide production.<\/p>\n

Scientists from NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases led the project in collaboration with researchers from the National Institute of General<\/a> Medical Science<\/a>s; the National Cancer Institute; the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; and the National Human Genome Research Institute.<\/p>\n\n

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Scientists shed new light on how lung bacteria defend against pneumonia<\/a>\n <\/div>\n

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\n More information:<\/strong>
\n A Stacy et al. Infection trains the host for microbiota-enhanced resistance to pathogens. Cell<\/i>, DOI: 10.1016\/j.cell.2020.12.011<\/a> (2021).<\/p>\n
\n Journal information:<\/strong>
\n Cell<\/cite>
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\n Provided by
\n NIH\/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
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Citation<\/strong>:
\n Scientists identify nutrient that helps prevent bacterial infection (2021, January 15)
\n retrieved 15 January 2021
\n from https:\/\/phys.org\/news<\/a>\/2021-01-scientists-nutrient-bacterial-infection.html<\/p>\n

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\n part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n