{"id":38320,"date":"2023-02-09T10:41:50","date_gmt":"2023-02-09T10:41:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wames.org.uk\/cms-english\/?p=38320"},"modified":"2023-03-13T06:25:49","modified_gmt":"2023-03-13T06:25:49","slug":"research-gut-dysfunction-found-in-me-cfs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wames.org.uk\/cms-english\/research-gut-dysfunction-found-in-me-cfs\/","title":{"rendered":"Research: Gut dysfunction found in ME\/CFS"},"content":{"rendered":"

Gut bacteria could have answers for ME\/CFS<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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Two separate US studies have found significant differences in the gut microbiomes of people with ME\/CFS\u00a0 compared to healthy people, although it was not possible to tell if they were a cause or consequence of ME\/CFS. Researchers hope the findings will help to\u00a0 develop a diagnostic tool, interventions (dietary, probiotic, prebiotic, or synbiotic) and divide patients into sub-groups to better treat them.<\/p>\n

The microbiome may weigh as much as five pounds. The bacteria in the microbiome help digest our food, regulate our immune system, protect against other bacteria that cause disease, and produce vitamins including B vitamins B12, thiamine and riboflavin, and Vitamin K, which is needed for blood coagulation. (University of Washington)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Jackson Laboratory study<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Julia Oh\u2019s study compared microbiome samples from people with both short-term ME\/CFS (under 4 years; 74 patients) and long-term ME\/CFS over 10 years; 75 patients) as well as 79 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. The investigators also looked at blood plasma samples.<\/p>\n

There was less diversity found in patients with short-term disease fewer microbes known to be butyrate producers. Butyrate is important for protecting the integrity of the gut barrier and is also known to play an important role in modulating the immune system.<\/p>\n

In contrast, the gut microbiomes had re-established in those with long-term disease and were more similar to the healthy controls. However, there were a number of changes in the metabolites in their blood plasma, including many of those related to the immune system. They also had differences in levels of certain types of immune cells compared with the healthy controls.<\/p>\n

Highlights<\/strong><\/p>\n