gut dysbiosis Archives - Amazing Health Advances

Dysbiosis in Gut Microbiota May Cause Severe Secondary Infection in COVID-19 Patients

AHA Publisher — Tue, 20 Jul 2021 07:00:54 +0000

Dr. Sanchari Sinha Dutta, Ph.D. via News-Medical – An interesting study led by scientists in the U.S. has recently revealed that the microbial community in the gut is directly affected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and that virus-mediated gut microbiome dysbiosis may cause severe secondary infections in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. The study is currently available on the bioRxiv* preprint server. Background A potential connection between gut microbiome dysbiosis and COVID-19 severity has recently been established. In this context, studies have found that SARS-CoV-2 infection may disrupt the microbial populations present in the gut. Gut microbiome dysbiosis is defined as a reduction in microbial diversity, as well as an imbalance between beneficial and pathogenic microbial populations in the gut. In a significant proportion of COVID-19 patients, gastrointestinal complications along with loss of commensal gut microbes have frequently been observed. Commensal microbes are beneficial microbes that directly act on the host immune system to prevent invasion and colonization of pathogenic microbes. Recently, studies have found that COVID-19 patients treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics are at significantly higher risk of secondary infections by multidrug-resistant bacteria, which in turn is associated with almost 2-fold higher mortality from septic shock. In the current study, the scientists have aimed to understand whether gut microbiome dysbiosis can increase the risk of secondary systemic infection in COVID-19 patients. Moreover, they have investigated whether SARS-CoV-2 infection can directly cause gut dysbiosis independently of hospitalization status and treatment regimen. Study Design The study was conducted on transgenic mice expressing human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). The mice were challenged intranasally with a low or high dose of SARS-CoV-2, and the fecal samples were collected daily to test bacterial populations. In addition, fecal samples were collected from SARS-CoV-2 infected patients to determine the composition of gut microbiome. Important Observations In mice challenged with high-dose SARS-CoV-2, the scientists observed significant alteration in gut microbiome, including a reduction of obligate anaerobic microbes and expansion of Verrucomicrobiales. Within one week of infection, they observed a reduction in alpha diversity in the gut microbiome. Importantly, in infected mice, they observed symptoms of severe systemic infection, including bodyweight loss, breathing difficulty, reduced activity, and hunched posture. Taken together, the findings indicate that SARS-CoV-2 infection directly causes gut microbiome dysbiosis in mice. By analyzing bacterial compositions in fecal samples collected from COVID-19 patients from two different hospitals, the scientists observed a wide-range of bacterial diversities. They did not observe any difference in bacterial composition in fecal samples between the two hospitals. However, they observed highly variable bacterial compositions across samples. With further analysis, they observed frequent microbiome dominations, which is defined as a microbial community where a particular genus covers more than 50% of the population. These observations indicate severe gut microbiome injury in COVID-19 patients. In 21 patients with systemic secondary infections, they observed reduced bacterial diversities. All of these patients were treated with antibiotics during hospitalization, with 80% received antibiotics even before detection of secondary infection. The analysis of fecal samples collected from these patients revealed that the genus Faecalibacterium was negatively correlated with systemic secondary infection. The bacterial species belonging to the Faecalibacterium genus are the most vital and abundant commensal bacteria of the gut microbiota. A reduction of Faecalibacterium genus is known to disrupt the functions of the intestinal barrier. Furthermore, by comparing between fecal bacterial compositions and blood bacterial compositions, the scientists observed a high abundance of secondary infection-causing bacteria in corresponding fecal samples. This indicates that certain bacterial populations translocate from the gut into the circulation to cause secondary infection in COVID-19 patients. This could potentially occur because of virus-induced loss of gut barrier integrity. Study Significance The study reveals that SARS-CoV-2-mediated dysbiosis in the gut microbiome is directly associated with the systemic secondary infection observed in COVID-19 patients. Moreover, the study indicates that severe secondary infections can be induced by gut-to-blood translocation of bacterial populations following gut microbiome dysbiosis. *Important Notice bioRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information. Journal reference: Venzon M. et al. (2021). Gut microbiome dysbiosis during COVID-19 is associated with increased risk for bacteremia and microbial translocation. bioRxiv. doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.07.15.452246, https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.07.15.452246v1. To read the original article click here.

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How You Can Beat the Bloat!

AHA Publisher — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 07:00:20 +0000

Dr. Don Colbert – Do you suffer from bloating after meals? With 74% of Americans reporting experiencing digestive discomfort, bloating has become an epidemic in our society! Not only is bloating an uncomfortable experience but it can be embarrassing in social situations when you have excessive gas or need to urgently run to the bathroom. Causes of Bloating Although most people consider bloating a rather minor health issue, it can often be a sign of a serious underlying problem in the digestive system. The sensation of bloating is often caused by a buildup of gas in the digestive tract. This gas comes from either air that has been swallowed or from the bacteria in the gut. Anxiety Swallowed air is usually a result of anxiety. When the nervous system is in “fight or flight” mode the breathing becomes short and shallow and can lead to excess air being swallowed. In fact, anxiety attacks are frequently accompanied by bouts of burping up of air that has been swallowed due to improper breathing. Effective anxiety reduction techniques include prayer, meditation, nature immersion, and relaxed time spent with loved ones. There are other reasons for swallowed air such as eating too quickly, using straws, chewing gum, or sucking on hard candy. Gut Dysbiosis The other common cause of air in the digestive tract is from the fermentation of sugars and fiber by the bacteria in the gut. Trillions of bacteria live in our gastrointestinal systems and the collection of these bacteria is referred to as the “microbiome.” Some bacteria are good, some are bad, and some are neutral. The good bacteria help us break down and assimilate our food, modulate our immune systems, and protect our bodies from foreign invaders. Unfortunately, due to our modern lifestyles, the ratio of bacteria can become imbalanced and the bad bacteria can take over and even migrate to parts of the digestive system they are not meant to be in. This is referred to as “intestinal dysbiosis.” Bacteria and Bloating In those with dysbiosis, foods that contain certain types of sugar and fiber will feed the excess bacteria who then produce gas as a byproduct of digestion. The buildup of this gas is often the cause of bloating. In order to ease the symptoms of bloating it is essential to balance the microbiome. This can be done by eliminating foods that feed the bad bacteria and consuming more good bacteria (probiotics) and food for the good bacteria (prebiotics). FODMAPs Sadly, many otherwise healthy vegetables can potentially contribute to bloating in certain extreme cases. This is because vegetables like onions, garlic, and leeks contain specific carbohydrates called FODMAPs. These carbohydrates are readily fermented by bacteria in the bowel and can feed an overgrowth of bad bacteria. Beat the Bloat! In order to reduce the incidence of bloating it is important to pay attention to the lifestyle factors that contribute to this phenomenon. There is no one cause of bloating universal to everybody. It is important to listen to your body so you can figure out what foods and factors are major contributors for you. To make it easier for you, here is a list of foods that likely contribute to bloating and foods that will likely help prevent it. Foods to Avoid Sugar Difficult to digest grains such as wheat, corn, brown rice, barley, rye, and oats. High FODMAP veggies such as cabbage, brussels sprouts, onions, garlic, leeks, broccoli, cauliflower Pasteurized dairy Foods to Add Probiotics Fermented foods such as sauerkraut, raw yogurt or kefir, kombucha, and Fermented Green Supremefood Water rich and low sugar fruit and veggies such as leafy greens, cucumbers, berries, and celery Feel the Fermented Difference Dr. Colbert developed Fermented Green Supremefood as an easily digested alternative to conventional greens powders. By fermenting the vegetables before consumption, the chances of bloating are dramatically decreased. The result is a delicious and nutrient dense formula that provides a substantial dose of probiotics! More and more, science is proving that a healthy digestive system is the key to a healthy brain and body—and the power to keep your gut healthy lies directly with you! Get Dr. Colbert’s Healthy Gut Zone book today to help you understand the connection between your gut and your health. You will learn that whatever inflames your gut will eventually inflame your brain and the rest of your body. Making the right food choices will become the medicine in which you will walk and live in divine health. References https://draxe.com/bloated-stomach/ http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/788563/bloating-stomach-symptoms-cause-link-to-IBS-diet To read the original article click here. For more articles from Dr. Colbert click here.

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Leaky Gut and Microbial Dysbiosis Could Contribute to Cytokine Storm in Severely Ill COVID-19 Cases

AHA Publisher — Mon, 12 Apr 2021 07:00:13 +0000

Dr. Liji Thomas, MD via News-Medical – As the world approaches the grim milestone of three million deaths from COVID-19 disease, a new preprint research paper posted to the bioRxiv* server shows that the presence of gut bacteria in the plasma may be an indicator of progressive disease. In patients with pre-existing comorbidities, COVID-19 is associated with more severe disease. The gut is a well-established route of infection and target for viral damage by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent for COVID-19. This is supported by the clinical observation that about half of COVID-19 patients exhibit gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. Hospitalized patients with critical COVID-19 also often have gut complications. Besides the above, venous or arterial thromboembolism [blood clot] of the mesenteric vessels and small bowel ischemia [blockage of blood flow in the small bowel] is reported, especially in patients hospitalized for more extended periods. Study Aims and Details The current study, based in Birmingham, Alabama, in the USA, aimed to capture the presence of plasma biomarkers that indicate breaches of the gut epithelial barrier, and the presence of gut microbes in the plasma. Unfortunately, both could not be tested in the same subset of patients due to the small volume of plasma available. Of the 30 patients enrolled in the study with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, all had diarrhea and nausea along with fever and shortness of breath. The median age was 63 years. Only two patients had a critical disease. Over a third were diabetic, and half experienced blood clots. Of the 30, 23 patients were overweight. Five patients had an in-hospital fatal outcome. Laboratory Results Lymphopenia and anemia were observed in half, and two-thirds of the patients, along with high monocyte counts. Neutrophils were also elevated, in 60% of males compared to 45% of females. This is significant since they are the first responders to any infection. Total leukocyte counts were elevated in about 40% of individuals with COVID-19, but platelet count abnormalities were observed in only 17% of subjects. Only two patients showed high levels of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), probably due to heart failure. C-reactive peptide, an inflammatory marker, was elevated in all patients, with six patients showing levels consistent with severe inflammation. Eight subjects showed high ferritin levels, with half of them having levels indicative of inflammation. Almost all the patients had high fasting glucose and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels. About two-thirds had anemia, Increased troponin-I levels, suggesting cardiac injury, were found in 80% of male subjects, vs only one female subject. Gut Microbes in Plasma The 14 plasma samples sent for evaluation for the presence of bacteria yielded over 150,000 sequencing reads, with the signal indicating strong bacterial presence in two-thirds of the samples. The total microbial population was comparable between patients with COVID-19. Using polymerase chain reaction, a dysbiosis index was arrived at to measure the abundance of bacterial groups in each sample. All the nine samples which indicated the presence of bacteria showed the same three major phyla, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria, with one patient showing unknown bacteria in more significant numbers among all 14. These are the same that have been found in healthy plasma, as well. The most enriched phylum was Proteobacteria, while Bacteroides were present in very limited numbers. Among the two patients with a fatal COVID-19 outcome, the number of Firmicutes was low. Perhaps the abundance of this phylum may be a biomarker for severity of disease. Both Gram-negative bacteria and lipopolysaccharides (LPS), which is a major endotoxin originating from the cell wall of these bacteria, are higher in the plasma samples from COVID-19 patients. Gut Barrier Breaches The presence of gut microbes in plasma may suggest defects in the gut epithelial barrier, allowing bacteria to migrate through the epithelial cells into the systemic blood vessels. This is an important component in systemic inflammation and underlies the progression of COVID-19 in these patients. As a marker of gut permeability, fatty acid-binding protein-2 (FABP2) levels were measured, as this is a protein found within intestinal epithelial cells to bind free fatty acids, cholesterol, and retinoids. As such, its elevation in plasma indicates mucosal damage in the gut. As expected, FABP2 levels were high in the plasma of COVID-19 patients relative to healthy individuals. Gut microbial peptides in plasma are toxic in that they trigger inflammatory pathways and lead to systemic damage. As a measure of this phenomenon, the researchers observed higher levels of peptidoglycan (PGN) and LPS in COVID-19 plasma, at almost double the levels in healthy controls. What Are the Implications? The translocation of gut microbes, normally found only in feces, into the systemic circulation is a fundamental determinant of immune function and metabolism. The presence of gut microbes in plasma may trigger and also exacerbate inflammatory signaling pathways in the body. Inflammation is key to the pathogenesis of severe and critical COVID-19. This study’s findings may support the theory that this is driven by gut bacterial movement into the body’s circulation in these patients. This, in turn, could be due to higher gut permeability because of epithelial barrier dysfunction. Virus shedding in the feces has been found to persist for up to a month after lung symptoms resolve, indicating that viral colonization of the gut may be of longer duration than of the airways. COVID-19 patients in this sample were more likely to be diabetic and obese relative to the controls. In such patients, the commensal bacteria Lactobacillus are less abundant, and this reduction was found in a small group of nine patients tested at the beginning of hospitalization in this study. Most COVID-19 deaths are due to sepsis. In this study, the abundance of multiple pathogenic species such as Acinetobacter and Pseudomona was higher in the gut. Even after the infection resolved, dysbiosis persisted, indicating that the gut may suffer the effects of this illness over the long term. The plasma metabolome is linked to the gut microbiome in the pathogenesis of many diseases. Failure of the gut barrier leads to the detection of bacterial metabolic products in the plasma, in conditions like ulcerative colitis. The study suggests, “Leaky gut and microbial dysbiosis could contribute to cytokine storm in patients severely ill with COVID -19.” *Important Notice bioRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information. This article has been modified. To read the original article click here.

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