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Scientists at Scripps Research have developed molecules that can remodel the bacterial population of intestines to a healthier state and they have shown -- through experiments in mice -- that this reduces cholesterol levels and strongly inhibits the thickened-artery condition known as atherosclerosis.
The scientists, who report their findings in Nature Biotechnology, created a set of molecules called peptides that can slow the growth of less-desirable species of gut bacteria. In mice that develop high cholesterol and atherosclerosis from a high-fat diet, the peptides beneficially shifted the balance of species in the gut microbiome, which refers to the trillions of bacteria that live inside the digestive system. This shift reduced cholesterol levels and dramatically slowed the buildup of fatty deposits in arteries -- symptoms that are the hallmarks of atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis is the condition that leads to heart attacks and strokes, the two leading causes of death among humans.
The scientists, who report their findings in Nature Biotechnology, created a set of molecules called peptides that can slow the growth of less-desirable species of gut bacteria. In mice that develop high cholesterol and atherosclerosis from a high-fat diet, the peptides beneficially shifted the balance of species in the gut microbiome, which refers to the trillions of bacteria that live inside the digestive system. This shift reduced cholesterol levels and dramatically slowed the buildup of fatty deposits in arteries -- symptoms that are the hallmarks of atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis is the condition that leads to heart attacks and strokes, the two leading causes of death among humans.
Molecules that reduce 'bad' gut bacteria reverse narrowing of arteries in animal study
Scientists have developed molecules that can remodel the bacterial population of intestines to a healthier state. They also have shown -- through experiments in mice -- that this approach reduces cholesterol levels and strongly inhibits the thickened-artery condition known as atherosclerosis.
www.sciencedaily.com
