A new preclinical study has identified a gut bacterium, Akkermansia muciniphila, that helps prime intestinal stem cells for faster recovery after radiation treatment. Fasting increases the population of this bacterium, which produces a small molecule that changes histone tags to allow gene expression in intestinal cells.
A research team at Kumamoto University has developed a breakthrough drug-delivery platform using a small-intestine-permeable cyclic peptide, enabling efficient oral delivery of insulin. This approach achieves a pharmacological bioavailability of approximately 33–41% relative to subcutaneous injection.
The small intestine's epithelial cells and immune cells work together to maintain gut integrity and regulate immune responses. Dysfunction in these cellular networks is linked to systemic diseases such as obesity, insulin resistance, and autoimmune conditions.
Research reveals that pregnant mice experience irreversible intestinal growth due to increased nutrient demand during pregnancy. The small intestine remains longer after birth and even more so after a second pregnancy, with changes in villi and crypts contributing to this effect.
Researchers at University of Gothenburg have identified a critical mechanism to slow down Crohn's disease progression by repairing the protective barrier of the gut. By reinforcing the gut's natural defenses, new drug targets may be developed to treat the disease.
Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology discovered that tissue-resident memory CD8 T cells rise up to fight infections in the small intestine, using spatial transcriptomics technology. These immune cells are split between villi and crypts, with progenitor-like cells replenishing effector T cells.
A new study published in Nature reveals that tissue-resident memory CD8 T cells play unique roles based on their location within the small intestine, providing a local first line of defense against re-infection. The findings provide insight into how microenvironments and cellular interactions shape immune responses.
Researchers at Uppsala University found that people with psoriasis have invisible inflammation in their small intestine, which can lead to gastrointestinal problems and an increased risk of developing Crohn's disease. Half of the study participants had a leaky gut, allowing bacteria and harmful substances to leak through the intestinal...
A new study published in Frontiers in Immunology reveals that certain food proteins like milk and meat can help keep gut tumors from growing by triggering the intestinal immune system. This discovery has potential clinical implications for patients with gastrointestinal conditions.
A new analysis has found evidence supporting the use of treatments to enhance mucosal healing and reduce inflammation in the gut, leading to improved outcomes for children with malnutrition. The study identified that a short course of treatment can restore mucosal integrity, reducing intestinal damage and systemic inflammation.
The AGA releases its first comprehensive evidence-based guideline for managing pouchitis, a complication of ulcerative colitis surgery. The guideline recommends treatment with antibiotics and multi-strain probiotics to prevent recurrent pouchitis.
The study, which analyzed data from older adults with peptic ulcer disease, revealed that approximately 1 in 8 individuals developed depression for the first time during the pandemic. Women, those who felt lonely, and those with functional limitations were at higher risk of depression. Targeted screening and intervention are being reco...
Researchers found that GSDMD's N-terminal fragment induces the transcription of MHCII molecules in intestinal epithelial cells, leading to an increase in Type 1 regulatory cells and ultimately food tolerance. The study provides new insights into the treatment of food allergies.
Scientists developed a microfluidic system to study luminal flow around villi in the small intestine, revealing diverse flow behaviors and underlying mechanisms. The device uses air-driven balloon actuators to deform intestinal tissue, generating dynamic flows that can be observed with microscopic fluorescent beads.
A team of researchers used a capsule to collect data on digestion and microorganisms in the upper intestine, revealing nearly 2,000 metabolites and associations between diet and metabolite levels. The study provides new insights into human gut metabolism and microbiome interactions.
A new study has discovered significant variation in the anatomy of the human digestive system, with pronounced differences found between healthy individuals. This finding has implications for understanding the role of digestive tract anatomy in affecting human health and providing potential insights into medical diagnoses.
Researchers at Penn State found that broccoli's aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligands bind to a protein in mice, promoting gut health and reducing disease. This interaction activates various activities that affect intestinal cell functions, leading to improved gut barrier function and resilience.
A study published in Gut journal found that COVID-19 patients experienced gastrointestinal symptoms more frequently than non-infected patients. The research also discovered a higher incidence of irritable bowel syndrome among infected individuals, with symptoms lasting up to 12 months after hospitalization.
A novel treatment involving ACE2-producing probiotic Lactobacillus paracasei may prevent or reverse diabetic retinopathy in Type 1 diabetes patients. The study found that human subjects with retinopathy had a dysregulated systemic RAS and profound gut permeability defects, which were reversed by the probiotic treatment.
Researchers at Binghamton University have developed ingestible biobatteries that utilize microbial fuel cells with spore-forming Bacillus subtilis bacteria to power sensors and Wi-Fi connections. The biobatteries can generate up to 100 microwatts per square centimeter of power density, enough for wireless transmission.
Researchers from Tokyo Medical and Dental University developed a new approach to grow human intestinal mini-organs in the lab. They used cell culture plates and bioreactors to create robust and healthy intestine-like tissues that can be transplanted into mice, demonstrating the potential for regenerative medicine applications.
Steaming hay kills harmful microorganisms, but damages proteins making them less digestible for horses. This can lead to impaired muscle development and nutrient deficiencies, affecting growth and coat health. Horses can be enriched with protein-rich feedstuffs to mitigate this risk.
Long-term use of systemic antibiotics can alter the gut microbiome, leading to reduced bone mass accrual and impaired skeletal maturation. Researchers found that minocycline therapy causes changes to the gut microbiome, disrupting normal communication between the liver and small intestine.
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital and MIT have developed RoboCap, a robotic capsule that delivers drugs to the gut by clearing mucus and churning to enhance absorption. In preclinical models, RoboCap increased drug permeability by over 10-fold for insulin and vancomycin.
Researchers developed optimized human small intestinal organoids with mature Paneth cells, mimicking the original human intestine. The discovery highlights the importance of Interleukin-22 in activating Paneth cells, which helps prevent infections and maintain barrier function.
Researchers at City University of Hong Kong developed a simple exfoliation method to prepare ultrathin films of small intestine tissues, which exhibit piezoelectricity. The team's findings reveal the hierarchical structure of collagen fibers as the key to generating the piezoelectric effect.
A high-fat diet can lead to increased fructose metabolism in the small intestine, resulting in the release of glycerate into circulation. This can cause damage to insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells, increasing the risk of glucose tolerance disorders and Type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology create novel enterocyte-like cells that closely resemble actual enterocytes, expressing efflux transporter proteins and CYP3A4. These cells can be used as an in vitro model of the small intestine for evaluating intestinal absorption of drugs in humans.
Researchers identified Clostridium innocuum as the microbial invader triggering 'creeping fat' in Crohn's patients. The initial response is protective but can contribute to severe intestinal scarring and fibrosis.
Researchers create temporary synthetic coating that can be adapted to deliver drugs, aid in digestion, or prevent nutrient absorption. The coating, made from dopamine molecules, can improve lactose digestion efficiency up to 20-fold and potentially treat conditions like diabetes and obesity.
Researchers have developed a synthetic gut lining that can target the small intestine, delivering drugs and influencing nutrient absorption. The system has shown potential in treating lactose intolerance, diabetes, obesity, and tropical diseases like schistosomiasis.
Two genes, MTG8 and MTG16, regulate stem cell differentiation in the small intestine, supporting its fast replacement process. This discovery could help understand how the body maintains a healthy gut and inform research on stem cell differentiation outside of the small intestine.
A recent study published in Autonomic Neuroscience: Basic and Clinical reveals the extent of connections between the small intestine and the entire brain. Half of the neurons transmitting signals from the gut to the brain also send motor signals, enabling cross-talk within the same neuron.
Researchers found that mice consuming their own poop have higher microbial loads and different bile acid profiles compared to those not eating feces. This study highlights the importance of considering self-reinoculation in research involving mice, particularly in dietary, probiotic, and drug studies.
The new mouse model accurately reflects human genetic and immune system characteristics, enabling researchers to test new treatments. It can reverse damage to the small intestine once it has developed, providing a vital tool for improving quality of life for people with celiac disease.
A new study reveals that human noroviruses infect small intestine cells by piggybacking on endocytosis, a normal process used to acquire materials from the environment. Bile acids and ceramide play a crucial role in this process.
Researchers developed a new oral delivery device that can carry insulin and other protein drugs, protecting them from the acidic environment of the stomach. The capsule contains microneedles that attach to the intestinal wall and release the drug for uptake into the bloodstream, enabling fast and pain-free delivery.
Researchers found that mice lacking group-2 innate lymphoid cells in the small intestine prevented obesity after eating a high-fat diet. Conversely, reintroducing these cells led to obesity symptoms. The study suggests targeting small intestine ILC2s could be an effective obesity treatment approach.
A new breath test could diagnose gastrointestinal damage in children without invasive procedures, reducing trauma and costs associated with oesophageal testing. The trial uses a Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) enzyme found in the small intestine to measure gut health.
Research on dietary fiber polymers reveals they physically influence the small intestine environment by causing solid particles to group together. This aggregation can impact nutrient and drug absorption, highlighting a previously underappreciated role of dietary fibers in gut function.
Researchers found a significant connection between probiotic use, bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine, high levels of D-lactic acid, and brain fogginess. The study suggests that excessive probiotic use can lead to severe bloating and disorienting brain fog.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai have identified a link between the presence of hydrogen sulfide gas in the gut and diarrhea in patients with small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). A new four-gas breath test device is being developed to improve diagnosis and treatment for these conditions.
A recent study published in Cell Host and Microbe found that bacteria in the small intestine play a vital role in fat digestion and absorption. The researchers discovered that high-fat Western diets stimulate the growth of beneficial microbes in the small intestine, which then produce digestive enzymes to break down dietary fat.
A new study found that specific bacteria in the small intestine play a key role in fat absorption and digestion, with certain microbes multiplying in response to high-fat foods. The findings suggest that these microbes facilitate the production and secretion of digestive enzymes, enabling rapid absorption of calorie-dense foods.
Research suggests that excessive sugar intake can be harmful, especially to the liver, due to insulin resistance and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. A new mouse study shows that moderate amounts of fruit sugar will not reach the liver.
A 3D stem cell-derived intestine model has been developed that closely mimics the natural human response to gut infection. The model displayed key small intestine characteristics and exhibited an antibacterial response upon E. coli infection.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University discovered a protein called ISX that helps balance vitamin A metabolism in the gut. Without this protein, mice develop severe inflammation and become immunocompromised, highlighting the link between diet and inflammatory diseases.
A team of researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital has successfully created functional small intestine segments using human induced pluripotent stem cells. The segments were able to absorb nutrients and transfer glucose and fatty acids into the bloodstream when transplanted into rats. This breakthrough could potentially provide a ...
Researchers from Kumamoto University have identified a new cyclic peptide that facilitates the absorption of biopharmaceutical products in the small intestine. The discovery has significant implications for the development of orally administered drugs, including insulin and other life-saving medications.
Researchers discovered a birth-and-death cycle of neurons in the adult mouse gut, with about five percent of nerve cells regenerating daily or a third every week. This finding has profound implications for understanding and treating digestive system disorders and diseases.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that melatonin can protect the small intestine of rats from radiotherapy-induced toxicity. Melatonin reduced intestinal cell death and inflammation, facilitating intestinal recovery. This suggests oral treatment with melatonin may help prevent radiotherapy-induced gut toxicity in cancer patients.
A research team developed ingestible prototypes that draw energy from gastric acid and provide power for nearly a week. They used zinc and copper as electrodes to harness energy from both the stomach and small intestine.
A study found that AYA patients with small intestine GISTs had improved survival rates compared to older adult patients with stomach GISTs. Surgical management was also associated with improved survival in AYA patients, even those with metastatic cancer.
Research suggests excessive bacterial growth in small intestine may be causing malnutrition and stunting in children living in low-income countries. A study of 103 2-year-old children in Bangladesh found that one in six showed signs of small intestine bacterial overgrowth, which was associated with gut inflammation and stunted growth.
Researchers found that a population of suppressive T cells in the small intestines prevents immune responses to solid foods. Dietary antigens induce development of most pTreg cells in the small intestines, which play a key role in determining how our immune system handles food.
Typical foods induce immune tolerance conditions in the small intestine by creating regulatory T cells, which inform the immune system on safe food antigens. This mechanism helps prevent food allergies and is crucial for maintaining gut health.
New smart gas sensing pills reveal how low & high-fibre diets affect gut health, offering clues for treating gut disorders. The research found that low-fibre diets produce more hydrogen gas in the small intestine and high-fibre diets produce more methane gas in the large intestine.
Researchers successfully joined two separate pieces of embryonic mouse intestine using growth supports, allowing nerve signals to pass through and promoting growth. The breakthrough could lead to treatment for conditions like short bowel syndrome, a condition causing damage to the bowel that prevents nutrient absorption.
A new study by researchers at Children's Hospital Los Angeles has shown that tissue-engineered small intestine grown from human cells replicates key aspects of a functioning human intestine. The tissue-engineered small intestine offers a promising treatment for short bowel syndrome, a major cause of intestinal failure.
Researchers developed nanojuice to improve non-invasive gut imaging, providing real-time views of the small intestine. This technique may help diagnose irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, Crohn's disease, and other gastrointestinal illnesses.