Research in the medical community has largely become focused on the gut and its bacterial contents, especially regarding its role in neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis. The latest findings further reveal how the gut microbiome plays a role in the progression of disease. Diet is a large part in this connection as it can greatly affect the gut microbiome.
Researchers revealed in culture cell dishes and experimental models that long-chain fatty acids promote the spread of inflammatory cells in the intestinal wall. They also discovered that short-chain fatty acids produce further regulatory cells of the immune system. These cells have the ability to regulate excessive inflammatory responses and autoreactive immune cells.
Researchers did not uncover any effects of dietary fatty acids when the intestines were germ-free. Further experimentation revealed that the metabolic processes of the microbiome are responsible, as opposed to bacterial strains for this effect.
Assumptions have been made, about autoimmune chronic-inflammatory diseases like multiple sclerosis, that an imbalance between weakened regulatory cells and inflammatory cells is responsible for their development. Instead of using treatment to block or weaken inflammatory cells, treatment should focus on strengthening and boosting regulatory cells.
The findings were published in Immunity.
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