Gut Bacteria Link To Rheumatoid Arthritis

[Donna G]

Gut Bacteria Link to Rheumatoid Arthritis

Gut Bacteria Link to Rheumatoid Arthritis

Bacteria in the digestive system might predict who may develop RA, and
help scientists develop novel therapies for the disease.
By Susan Bernstein

For years, scientists have wondered if there was a connection between
the type of bacteria in our bodies, particularly our guts, and the
development of RA. Could tiny micro-organisms predict who is most
susceptible to developing RA and who might be more resistant to the
disease?

A recent study shows some strong connections between the type of
bacteria in our guts and certain genes that may predict RA development

A team of researchers from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and the
University of Illinois at Urbana published a study in the peer-reviewed
journal Public Library of Science

One in April showing that the types of bacteria lurking in the guts of
mice may predict which animals are more susceptible to developing RA and
collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), and which mice may be more resistant
to the disease.

In addition, another set of scientists at the University of Illinois at
Urbana have just completed a study of humans to examine how consuming
different types and amounts of dietary fiber could change their gut
bacteria, shifting the mix toward more bacteria with potentially
anti-inflammatory properties. Their study will be published in the
Journal of Nutrition this summer.

For years, Veena Tareja, PhD, worked with RA patients at the Mayo Clinic
and listened to their observations about the connection between diet and
inflammation. "They would say, 'I eat this and my arthritis gets worse.'
I always had the feeling that the gut had something to do with
arthritis, because it takes most of the body's abuse," says Tareja, the
institution's lead researcher on the new study.

Genes and Bugs

Tareja and her colleagues knew that there were already strong
correlations between mice that carry genes with particular genetic
variations called alleles and the susceptibility to develop – or
resist developing – RA.

Mice with the gene HLA-DRB1*0401 are more susceptible to developing RA
and CIA, while mice with the gene HLA-DRB1*0402 are more resistant.

In addition, they knew the 0401 allele's presence in people with
arthritis was also strongly correlated to gender; three females to one
male carrying that gene develop arthritis.

They suspected that the different genes must trigger different reactions
in the guts of the mice that tipped the susceptibility scale one way or
the other.

Several recent studies, including a paper published in Arthritis &
Rheumatism in 2010 by rheumatologist Jose Scher, MD, and his colleagues
at the Arthritis Clinic of New York University Hospital for Joint
Diseases, also established a connection between the presence of certain
bacteria in the body, namely inflamed gums, and RA. 

Dr. Scher urges that finding particular bacteria in the gums of people
with RA does not necessarily mean those bugs trigger RA, but is merely
one step on the road to understanding possible connections. "This
remains an association and causality will be difficult to prove," he
says.

Taneja and her colleagues felt that there might be some connection to
the gut bacteria found in mice with the particular HLA genes. "We
thought, 'There's got to be something this gene is doing. Our genes
affect what these bugs are doing. The genes and the bugs are related
somehow,'" she says. 

She also says that the gut microbiome, or the type of bacteria that are
in a person's digestive system, are affected by various factors,
including diet, and more likely, our genes. "We all walk around with
millions of bugs inside us, but the balance of bugs makes the
difference, along with genes. Until now, nobody took it seriously, but
now with new technology, we can see these bugs." 

Scientists once had to examine bacteria in a
Petri dish, says Dr. Scher, but now, they can sequence the bacteria's
DNA and analyze the bugs more accurately.

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Donna G.
.

1) Rejoice always, Pray continually, Give thanks in all circumstances,
For this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. ( I Thessalonians
5:16-18 NIV )

2) ANGELS EXIST, but some times, since they don't all have wings, we
call them FRIENDS......

3) Just because you're in pain, doesn't mean you have to be one!

[diclid...@gmail.com]

Also see Professor Alan Ebringer on Diet and Ankylosing Spondylitis - YouTube
and various papers and presentations connected with RA.

Peter B

[Donna G]

Hi Peter!

Good to see you stopping by.

Unfortunately, I can't access UTube or a number of other sites with
webtv.

Wish I could so I could check out what they had to say.

I found this article quite interesting.

[Eric]

Imagine that! Disease related to dietary intake! Miracles will never cease!
Who'd a thunk it?


wrote in message
news:d4d46762-80f0-48e5...@googlegroups.com...

> Donna G.

[Trimble Bracegirdle]

Thanks Donna G for Info .
Presumably this is specifically RA no OA connection?

(\__/)
(='.'=) This is Bunny. Copy and paste Bunny into your
(")_(") signature to help him gain world domination.

[Donna G]

Yes, this was more specific to rheumatoid arthritis, but does make me
wonder if perhaps it could be also effect forms of OA, especially the
more aggressive forms that can sort of mimic RA.

.
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Donna G.
.

[Donna G]

[Harvey]

"Donna G" wrote in message
news:21283-50...@storefull-3172.bay.webtv.net...

.
.
Donna G.
.

awhhhh,,,, I THINK THIS is the answer to what we have been wanting for years
and years. I know it will kill the profit of many a drug supplier and
will not be feed by the press but since I had it proven to me in my
fight with my lungs,,,, I know RA can be handled by drugs going through our
gut....... This could be wonderful for sooooo many people that have more
than RA.....
I know they would solve our problem but I did not think this would be
the answer. But now I do.
We will have to watch the wheels turn and things take place but It is
going to Happpen. Ok,,, we will see.

Harv