Use endocannabinoids produced in the body to fight intestinal infections

  In a new study, researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center found that endocannabinoids can turn off certain pathogenicities, just like the signaling molecules produced in the body, they have the same chemical substances as cannabis. characteristic. Genes required for colonization, proliferation and pathogenicity of intestinal bacteria. These findings can help explain why cannabis plants can alleviate the symptoms of various intestinal diseases, and ultimately develop new methods for people to fight gastrointestinal infections. It is possible that endocannabinoids were discovered in 1992. It is a lipid-based neurotransmitter that plays a variety of roles in the human body, including immunity, appetite and mood regulation. Marijuana and its derivatives have long been used to relieve chronic gastrointestinal diseases, such as irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease. Studies have shown that the imbalance of the endocannabinoid system in the body can cause intestinal inflammation and affect the composition of the intestinal flora, which is the number of different bacteria living in the gastrointestinal tract.

  However, the corresponding author of the paper, Dr. Vanessa Sperandio, professor of microbiology and biochemistry at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, said that endocannabinoids affect susceptibility to pathogenic gastrointestinal infections. He said it was still unclear. To answer this question, Sperandio and her colleagues collaborated to develop a mammalian genetically modified endocannabinoid that has been genetically modified to overproduce effective mammalian endocannabinoids in various organs including the intestine. The cannabinoid 2-arachidonic acid. The 2-arachidonic acid glycerol was studied. (2-arachidonic acid glycerol, 2-AG) mice. When a bacterial pathogen called Citrobacter rodents attacks the colon and causes significant inflammation and diarrhea, it infects these transgenic mice (hereinafter referred to as mutant mice) and their unmodified litters. In the case of mice (hereinafter referred to as wild mice), the mutant mice showed only mild symptoms compared to the more severe gastrointestinal discomfort shown by wild mice. Examination of the colon of mutant mice showed much lower signs of inflammation and infection. Compared with wild mice, the fecal content of these mutant mice was also significantly reduced, and the bacterial infection was resolved as soon as possible. Treatment of wild mice with drugs that increase the level of 2-AG in the intestine has similar positive effects. The Sperandio team can increase the content of 2-AG to reduce the infection of Salmonella Typhimurium in mice and prevent Escherichiacoli (a particularly dangerous gastrointestinal bacterium that successfully infects humans) from showing successful infection. I found that I can do it. Ideal toxicity. In contrast, these researchers treated mammalian cells in petri dishes with tetrahydrolipostatin, which made them more susceptible to bacterial pathogens. Tetrahydrolipristatin is a compound approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and sold under the Alli trademark. Further experiments showed that 2-AG has these effects on Citrobacter, Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli by blocking the bacterial receptor called QseC. When the receptor senses the host signaling molecules adrenaline and norepinephrine, it triggers the molecular cascade required to establish an infection. Sperandio explained that blocking the receptor with 2-AG interferes with the activation of the toxic program, thereby helping to prevent infection.

  Sperandio pointed out that these findings may help explain some of the effects of cannabis on inflammatory bowel disease. Studies have shown that marijuana can reduce inflammation, but recent studies have shown that these diseases are usually related to bacteria that can be positively affected by phytocannabinoids. it has been. In addition, cannabis compounds or synthetic derivatives can ultimately help patients prevent antibiotic-free intestinal bacterial infections. Sperandio said this is particularly useful for infections caused by enterohemorrhagic E. coli. When treated with antibiotics, it produces deadly toxins that not only counteract antibiotics, but also counteract many antibiotics. Said it could be dangerous. She added that, given that many highly virulent bacteria that colonize other parts of the body also have QseC receptors, this strategy can be used more widely to combat various infectious diseases. Yes

  She said: “By using the power of natural compounds produced by the human body and plants, we may eventually be able to treat infections in a whole new way.”