scholarly journals INTESTINAL FLORA AFFECTS GUT-BRAIN AXIS

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Orzi

Extreme changes of the gut microbiota affect brain function and behaviour, as measured in animal models. A question arises as to the potential clinical relevance of these findings, especially when one considers the influence of dietary habits on the gut flora diversity. The issue attracts public awareness and media attention, causing perhaps diffusion of more interpretations than solid data. A growing body of knowledge, however, supports a role for different gut bacteria, or dietary antigens, in affecting the immune system function, causing potential changes in clinically relevant susceptibility to noxious stimuli.

Author(s):  
Paul W Turke

Abstract The severity of COVID-19 is age-related, with the advantage going to younger age groups. Five reasons are presented. The first two are well-known, are being actively researched by the broader medical community, and therefore are discussed only briefly here. The third, fourth, and fifth reasons derive from evolutionary life history theory, and potentially fill gaps in current understanding of why and how young and old age groups respond differently to infection with SARS-CoV-2. Age of onset of generalized somatic aging, and the timing of its progression, are identified as important causes of these disparities, as are specific antagonistic pleiotropic tradeoffs in immune system function.


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 118
Author(s):  
Anna Skarpańska-Stejnborn ◽  
Mirosława Cieślicka ◽  
Hanna Dziewiecka ◽  
Sławomir Kujawski ◽  
Anita Marcinkiewicz ◽  
...  

An intensive physical exercise program could lead to a decrease in immune system function. Effects of long-term supplementation of bovine colostrum on the response of immune function on physical exercise test in athletes were examined. Twenty-seven elite female basketball players (age 16–19) were randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group. Eventually, n = 11 athletes completed intervention in the experimental group (3.2 g bovine colostrum orally twice a day for 24 weeks), while n = 9 athletes in the control group were given a placebo. Before the supplementation, after 3 and 6 months, subjects performed the physical exercise stress test. Before, just after, and 3 h after physical exercise testing, blood was drawn and immune system indicators were examined. Plasma interleukin (IL)-1alpha, IL-2, IL-10, IL-13, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha, creatine kinase (CK MM), immunoglobulin G (IgG), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), and WBC, lymphocyte (LYM), monocyte (MON), and granulocyte (GRA) were measured. A statistically significant change in IL-10 in response to the exercise program during the supplementation period in both groups was observed (p = 0.01). However, the results of the rest of the comparisons were statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). Contrary to our initial hypothesis, there were no significant effects of bovine supplementation on the dynamics of immune system function indicators.


Cancer ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 94 (2) ◽  
pp. 539-551 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrian S. Fairey ◽  
Kerry S. Courneya ◽  
Catherine J. Field ◽  
John R. Mackey

2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 297 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea McConico ◽  
Kim Butters ◽  
Karen Lien ◽  
Bruce Knudsen ◽  
Xiaosheng Wu ◽  
...  

Trafficking of cells between mother and fetus during the course of normal pregnancy is well documented. Similarly, cells are known to travel between twins that share either a placenta (i.e. monozygotic) or associated chorion (i.e. monochorionic). Transferred cells are thought to be channelled via the vessels of the placenta or vascular connections established via the chorion and the long-term presence of these cells (i.e. microchimerism) can have important consequences for immune system function and reparative capacity of the host. Whether cells can be transferred between twins with separate placentas and separate chorions (i.e. no vascular connections between placentas) has not been investigated nor have the biological consequences of such a transfer. In the present study, we tested the possibility of this type of cell transfer by injecting human cord blood-derived cells into a portion of the littermates of swine and probing for human cells in the blood and tissues of unmanipulated littermates. Human cells were detected in the blood of 78% of unmanipulated littermates. Human cells were also detected in various tissues of the unmanipulated littermates, including kidney (56%), spleen (33%), thymus (11%) and heart (22%). Human cells were maintained in the blood until the piglets were sacrificed (8 months after birth), suggesting the establishment of long-term microchimerism. Our findings show that the transfer of cells between fetuses with separate placentas and separate chorions is significant and thus such twins may be subject to the same consequences of microchimerism as monozygotic or monochorionic counterparts.


2009 ◽  
Vol 183 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan H. Esensten ◽  
Michael R. Lee ◽  
Laurie H. Glimcher ◽  
Jeffrey A. Bluestone

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