Individual gut bacteria, even in large numbers, cannot overcome harmful microbes, but as part of a community they can slow the growth of pathogenic bacteria thousands of times. A study by scientists from Oxford University was published in the journal Science.
The human gut is home to hundreds of different types of bacteria that can protect the intestines from pathogens. Scientists tested 100 different types of gut bacteria, individually and in combination, for their ability to limit the growth of two harmful bacteria: Klebsiella pneumoniae And Salmonella enterica.
Individual gut bacteria have demonstrated a very poor ability to limit the spread of any pathogen. But when scientists created communities of up to 50 bacterial species, the growth of pathogens slowed a thousandfold. This effect was also observed in vitro and in the intestines of mice. At the same time, some types of gut bacteria played an important role, but only as part of communities and were almost useless on their own.
According to the scientists’ findings, the protective effect of intestinal bacteria was due to their selection of nutrients needed by pathogenic microbes. Therefore, the most effective fighters against harmful bacteria are those that are most similar to beneficial bacteria.
The results will help develop treatments to restore the diversity of gut microbes in humans after a course of antibiotics.
Previous scientists I learnedIt is stated that this special sugar can reduce the risk of cystitis in the elderly.