New Lupus Research Highlights the Power of the Gut Microbiome

New research suggests that replenishing the gut with a key bacterium could reduce Lupus pathology.

New research from UT San Antonio finds that the bacterium Faecalibacterium prausnitzii is depleted in the gut microbiome of patients with lupus.

Adding back the bacteria significantly reduced disease markers in lupus animal models.

Here is why.

The study identifies a significant carbohydrate metabolic deficiency in the gut. They also found that a key short-chain fatty acid, butyrate, was reduced.

This was observed in both human lupus patients and lupus-prone mice.

Oral administration of the bacteria to mice:

- partially reverses gut dysbiosis

- restores proper tryptophan and bile acid metabolisM

- restores the balance between pro-inflammatory Th17 cells (harmful T cells at high doses) and protective regulatory T cells (Tregs)

These microbial and metabolic shifts lead to a measurable reduction in:

- systemic autoimmunity

- autoantibody production

- and life-threatening renal pathology

This suggests Faecalibacterium prausnitzii is a promising probiotic candidate for the targeted management of autoimmune diseases through microbiome modulation.

Let us know what you think about this new study by dropping a comment below.

Read more here.