The gut microbiota, a complex ecosystem within the human intestinal tract, is increasingly recognized for its vital role in human health and disease. Notably, its relationship with intestinal damage due to burns has been underexplored. New study has unveiled the pivotal role of gut microbiota in the synthesis and degradation of intestinal mucus following burn injuries in mice. Utilizing advanced 16S rRNA and metagenomic sequencing techniques, researchers have identified significant changes in gut microbiota composition and its impact on the intestinal mucus barrier.
On a study (doi:10.1093/burnst/tkad056) published in the journal Burns & Trauma, researchers employed a combination of techniques to analyze the effects of burn injury on the gut microbiota and mucus barrier in mice. A modified histopathological grading system assessed colon tissue and mucus barrier integrity. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed changes in gut microbial composition over 10 days post-burn. Metagenomic sequencing provided deeper insights into mucus-related bacteria and potential underlying mechanisms.
This study provides compelling evidence that burn injury disrupts the intestinal mucus barrier and alters the gut microbiota composition. Mucus-degrading bacteria appear to play a role in mucus breakdown, while probiotics may promote repair through short-chain fatty acids production.
Professor Xi Peng, the leading researcher of this study, emphasizes, "This study is a breakthrough in understanding the intricate relationship between gut microbiota and intestinal health post-burn injuries. It highlights the dual role of microbiota in both exacerbating and healing intestinal damage, offering a new perspective for targeted therapeutic strategies."
This research holds significant promise for improving burn treatment outcomes. By targeting specific gut bacteria or their metabolites, it may be possible to protect the intestinal mucus barrier, prevent bacterial translocation, and ultimately improve patient survival and recovery. Further research is warranted to translate these findings into clinical applications.
###
References
DOI
10.1093/burnst/tkad056
Original Source URL
https://doi.org/10.1093/burnst/tkad056
Funding information
This research was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 82172202) and the Innovative Leading Talents Project of Chongqing, China (No. cstc2022ycjh-bgzxm0148).
About Burns & Trauma
Burns & Trauma is an open access, peer-reviewed journal publishing the latest developments in basic, clinical, and translational research related to burns and traumatic injuries, with a special focus on various aspects of biomaterials, tissue engineering, stem cells, critical care, immunobiology, skin transplantation, prevention, and regeneration of burns and trauma injury.
END
New study unveiled burn injury disrupts gut microbiome and weakens intestinal mucus barrier
2024-03-14
(Press-News.org)
[Attachments] See images for this press release:
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
Researchers may have found key to deprogram cells that lead to transplant rejection
2024-03-14
HOUSTON-(Mar. 14, 2024) – Houston Methodist researchers identified a troublesome subset of T-cells in transplant recipients that may be a more effective therapeutic target for preventing transplant rejection in patients.
Each day, 17 people die waiting for organ transplants, but getting a new organ doesn’t guarantee survival. Despite immunosuppressive medications, rejection of transplanted organs happens in up to 50% of patients, depending on the type of organ transplanted and the duration since the transplantation.
Wenhao Chen, Ph.D., associate professor of transplant immunology with the Houston Methodist Research ...
Healing diabetes wounds with a new superhero: stem cell magic
2024-03-14
Researchers unveiled a novel therapy for diabetic wound healing. This research highlights the use of exosomal miR-4645-5p from hypoxic bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) to significantly enhance wound healing by promoting keratinocyte autophagy.
Diabetic wounds, often challenging to treat and prone to complications, can severely impact patients' quality of life. Traditional treatments have struggled with issues like low survival rates of transplanted cells and potential for immune rejection. This research introduces a groundbreaking approach using stem cells' regenerative capabilities.
On ...
New AI model detects ninety percent of lymphatic cancer cases
2024-03-14
Medical image analysis using AI has developed rapidly in recent years. Now, one of the largest studies to date has been carried out using AI-assisted image analysis of lymphoma, cancer of the lymphatic system. Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden, have developed a computer model that can successfully find signs of lymph node cancer in 90 percent of cases.
New computer-aided methods for interpreting medical images are being developed for various medical conditions. They can reduce the workload for radiologists, by giving a second opinion or ranking which patients need treatment the fastest.
"An AI-based computer system for interpreting medical images ...
Bariatric surgery linked to heart health improvements in people with severe obesity
2024-03-14
WASHINGTON—Bariatric surgery may result in significant cardiometabolic improvements, particularly among younger, female, or white people and those without comorbidities, according to new research published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society.
The United States has the highest obesity rates globally. In 2017-2018, about 40% of U.S. adults had obesity and 9% had severe obesity. The prevalence is particularly high among Black adults. Bariatric surgery is one method to help people with severe obesity lose a lot of weight and improve their health.
“Our study highlights how bariatric surgery not only leads to significant weight loss but also substantially improves ...
New report finds public spending on global health innovation delivers blockbuster returns, saving lives while generating billions of dollars in benefits globally and domestically
2024-03-14
WASHINGTON, DC (March 14, 2024)—Over the last 16 years, U.S. government funding for research and development (R&D) targeting global health challenges supported dozens of breakthrough innovations while generating billions of dollars in economic benefits, both global and domestic, and spurring a surge of industry investments, according to a new analysis from the Global Health Technologies Coalition (GHTC) and Policy Cures Research (PCR).
“Public funding for global health R&D is small, relative to the incredible returns it provides for fighting neglected ...
Breast cancer diagnoses plummeted during first year of pandemic
2024-03-14
Key Takeaways
There was a 15-20% decrease in newly diagnosed breast cancer cases reported to American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer sites in 2020 compared to 2019.
These study results have implications for how physicians and policymakers can address issues that may arise due to the diagnostic delays that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, the authors said.
CHICAGO: Several studies have described the distinct ways the COVID-19 pandemic adversely impacted cancer care, but less is known about the specific ways the pandemic disrupted breast cancer, the ...
Demystifying nano-neuro interactions
2024-03-14
By Shawn Ballard
Nanomaterials already play a vital role in enhancing the performance of everyday products from electronics to cosmetics to food packaging. But, beyond their usefulness in making images sharper and products more stable, researchers in the McKelvey School of Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis have shown nanoparticles may also be an essential tool in advancing our understanding of the brain and opening new avenues for treating neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease and epilepsy.
Srikanth Singamaneni, the Lilyan & ...
Common viruses trigger most cases of intussusception in children
2024-03-14
Viral infections trigger more cases of intussusception, the common cause of bowel blockages in young children, than previously thought, according to a new study.
The research, led by Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) and published in Clinical Infectious Diseases, found during the COVID-19 lockdowns hospital admissions for intussusception, a medical emergency involving obstruction of the intestine, among young children significantly decreased.
For the study, 12 years of data was analysed across Victoria, NSW and Queensland. ...
New multimillion dollar research facility set to unlock secrets of quantum materials
2024-03-14
Material scientists from the University of British Columbia Stewart Blusson Quantum Matter Institute (Blusson QMI) will lead the development of a multi-million world-class crystal growth facility thanks to $5.8 million in investments by the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) and the B.C. Knowledge Development Fund (BCKDF) announced today.
Blusson QMI Scientific Director Andrea Damascelli said the investment will strengthen Canada’s position as a leader in quantum research and technology.
“The investment enables the establishment of state-of-the-art research infrastructure that is unique in Canada and will deliver exceptional impact for quantum material design, technology ...
Improving education and human security for vulnerable refugee children
2024-03-14
‘Access to education’ is recognized as a fundamental human right and is listed as one of the United Nations’ sustainable development goals to achieve by 2030. Quality education unlocks opportunities and gives individuals the freedom to make livelihood choices and shape their own destinies. However, an increasing number of refugee children are deprived of this fundamental right. According to the UNHCR, between 2010 and 2022, the number of child refugees doubled from 20.6 million to about 43.3 million.
An overwhelming majority of these refugees are displaced to neighboring countries that are short on resources and lack adequate educational infrastructure ...