Scholars from the University of California Davis recently carried out a study regarding the effects of natural bacteria in the human gut. These microorganisms, particularly the probiotics, were found to positively impact our intestinal organs against invasive pathogens such as Salmonellas.
The research says that the probiotic microbiomes could deal with destructive bacterial pathogens by competing with the resources available in our tummies.
The authors suggest that the rate of available bacterial nutrients alone does not drive pathogens, including Salmonella, to survive in regions of the gut system.
Probiotics vs Salmonella
UC Davis Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology specialist Megan Liou, who also served as the first author of the paper, explained in a report by New Food Magazine that the data they collected from the examinations allow us better to view the complex nutritional basis of intestinal colonization.
The findings could also be an advantage for other studies that aim to develop ways to protect our guts from infections through the help of probiotics, Liou continued.
Despite our daily oxygen usage, humans could only have a limited supply that can circulate during respiration. Compared to use, many microbes have evolved and developed various approaches that let them seemingly 'breathe' more than a couple of elements and other available compounds.
Among these chemicals that the little bacterias use for energy is nitrate. By taking advantage of these molecules, the microbes might have a chance to survive in any environment they are placed into.
The researchers compared two various strains of bacteria that have contrasting benefits to our guts. The strains selected for the investigation are the Escherichia coli strain Nissle 1917 (E. Coli) and Salmonella, considered friendly and harmful to our bowel system.
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Battle for Nitrate in Our Gastrointestinal System
Most E. Coli strains could cause mile illness and could not result in severe conditions. However, Salmonella, which has evolved from E. Coli, is a common culprit of gastrointestinal problems in humans and animals.
Nitrate is a compound effective for preserving foods and energy resources for gut microbiomes. To get the energy from nitrates, the small intestine processes the sources and distributes them to our gut bacteria. Nitrate could also be observed as a byproduct of many functions occurring naturally in our intestinal organs.
The study found that although the two specified strains use nitrate for energy, Salmonella only takes the compound's generated phagocytes. These cells are a critical part of the immune system that fuels the repairing processes for infected and wounded tissues throughout the body.
E. coli, on the other hand, was found to consume both phagocytes and epithelial tissues given off by nitrate. This hints that the bacteria can compete with Salmonella for resources to cut off their prevalence in the gut ultimately.
The study was published in the journal Cell Host & Microbe, titled "Host cells subdivide nutrient niches into discrete biogeographical microhabitats for gut microbes."
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