By on June 21, 2023 — Fact checked by Hannah Flynn
These chronic inflammatory diseases affect millions in the United States.Challenges in delivering probiotics to the specific intestinal site necessitate innovative solutions.
Link between IBD and Gut Bacteria Imbalance:
Imbalance of gut bacteria contributes to compromised immune responses and intestinal barrier function.
Probiotics' Potential and Delivery Challenges
Probiotics show promise in improving IBD symptoms.
Previous attempts failed to address tissue damage favoring harmful bacteria.
Microgel Delivery System using Calcium Tungsten Microgels (CTM):
CTM aided probiotic colonization and prevented overgrowth of harmful bacteria.
Results:
Mice treated with microgel spheres did not exhibit colitis markers.
Future Directions and Caution:
Dr. Rudolph Bedford highlights the study's potential while emphasizing the need for human trials and the importance of diet and probiotics in maintaining gut health.
Microgel Delivery System:
- Aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of probiotics in treating Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
- Uses calcium tungsten microgels (CTM) as a protective shield for probiotics.
- Tested in a mouse model of colitis, showing promising results in preventing colitis symptoms.
Cannabis Treatment:
- Investigates the use of cannabis in relieving intestinal inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
- Cannabis reported to alleviate symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and poor appetite in IBD patients.
- Lack or insufficiency of endocannabinoids can lead to uncontrolled inflammation and damage to the intestinal lining.
- Scientific understanding of the benefits of cannabis in IBD management is limited.
- Further research and human trials are needed to validate the findings and explore cannabis as a potential treatment for IBD.