Interactions between gut bacteria, diet and drugs
Drugs do not work the same for everyone. According to a renowned biochemist, how well a drug works also depends on the Darmflora one person. Recent research suggests that microbiome in the gut a crucial role in the Efficacy of Drugs plays.
Dr. Michael Zimmermann is a biochemist at European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) in Heidelberg. In an interview with the Daimler and Benz Foundation, the expert explains how intestinal bacteria influence the effectiveness of drugs.
Gut bacteria affect the effectiveness of drugs
The microbiome in the gut is often referred to as the gut flora. This means all microorganisms that have settled in a person’s intestines. Studies in recent years have repeatedly shown that the intestinal bacteria produce important metabolic products that are overall human health are.
like dr Zimmermann reports, intestinal bacteria are also able to To activate or deactivate active ingredients from medicines. Conversely, some drugs such as antibiotics in turn change the Composition of the intestinal florawhich can have unwanted effects.
The team around Dr. Zimmermann examines this interplay. The scientists want to ensure that patients receive medication that is suitable for the respective intestinal flora. The research work is funded by the Daimler and Benz Foundation with 40,000 euros.
Since when has the influence of the intestinal flora on medication been known?
“In fact, the gut microbiome has only been the focus of science for two decades”, explains the biochemist. This is mainly due to technological developments. Today it is possible to sequence the DNA of intestinal bacteria within a short time.
“However, the idea that the intestinal flora influences the effect of medication has been around for a long time; 50 years ago there was even a first scientific conference on this.”, according to Dr. carpenter. But it is only today that it is possible to research these connections in more detail.
Size of the intestinal flora
“Our body is heavily populated with at least as many microbes as we have in our own body cells”, emphasizes the expert. The microorganisms bring together 150 times as many bacterial genes as we have human genes in our body.
Enormous scientific potential
From a scientific point of view, this is fascinating because the microbiome has enormous metabolic potential. “We don’t yet understand a large part of his genes”, clarifies Dr. carpenter.
The scientist sees a huge treasure trove of knowledge hidden in the intestinal flora. “After all, the microbiome is relevant to food intake, metabolism and the immune system”emphasizes the researcher.
How does the intestinal flora differ in different people?
“Although we humans are genetically only less than one percent different from one another, the difference in the microbiome from person to person is up to 80 percent”, the biochemist clarifies. The interaction is sometimes influenced by the nutritionto the lifestyle as well as from diseases.
Cultural differences are also evident. “Our European food, for example, is no longer as high in fiber as in other cultures or in earlier eras”, explains the microbiome expert. This could become one Partial loss of the microbiome to lead.
The working group around Dr. Zimmermann uses different approaches to research the intestinal flora. Among other things, the team wants to find out what the microbes are biochemically capable of and how they interact with drugs.
Intestinal flora is not designed to metabolize drugs
“We can learn a lot from basic research, because the evolution of bacteria was not originally designed to metabolize drugs in our body – this has only been happening for about a century”says Zimmerman.
As part of the research, the team works with hospitals. The researchers analyze the microbiome of sick people and sequence the DNA of the intestinal bacteria. can Associations with certain diseases be revealed or Interactions between drugs and bacteria.
Drugs adapted to the intestinal flora
“We hope that our findings and results will make a significant contribution to personalized medicine in the coming years: after submitting a stool sample and analyzing their microbiome, patients should receive the right medication in the right dosage in the future,” describes the biochemist.
In the best case, the positive effect of a drug must be exploited to the maximum while the intestinal microbiome is minimally influenced. This is different with drugs that could be used specifically to improve the composition of the intestinal floralike for example Prebiotics or Probiotics.
improve the treatment of many diseases
According to Dr. Zimmermann’s findings could improve the treatment of numerous diseases. According to him, would benefit in particular “chronically ill; for example people with high blood pressure, diabetes, autoimmune diseases or psychotic disorders – and of course people with organ transplants, for whom the adjustment of the immune system is always a therapeutic tightrope walk.”.
Let food be your medicine
The Greek doctor Hippocrates is said to have said: “Let food be your medicine and medicine your food.” As Zimmermann points out, this still holds true: “We don’t just want to describe this with our research, we want to predict it!”
“A better understanding of the functions and metabolism of the gut microbiome seems to be an important key to this”, sums up the intestinal bacteria expert. (vb)
Author and source information
This text corresponds to the specifications of medical specialist literature, medical guidelines and current studies and has been checked by medical professionals.
Author:
Graduate editor (FH) Volker Blasek
Sources:
- Daimler and Benz Foundation: Do intestinal bacteria determine whether a drug is effective? (PDF, published: 06.07.2022), daimler-benz-stiftung.de
Important NOTE:
This article contains general advice only and should not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment. He can not substitute a visit at the doctor.