Genetically-Engineered Probiotic Shows Promise in Mitigating Alcohol-Induced Health Problems
Introduction
Excessive alcohol consumption is known to lead to painful hangovers, headaches, fatigue, and nausea. Moreover, drinking alcohol has been associated with various health issues such as heart disease, cirrhosis, and immune deficiency. While reducing alcohol intake is one way to avoid these consequences, researchers in China have introduced a novel approach to mitigate hangovers and other adverse outcomes – a genetically-engineered probiotic.
Research Findings
A recent study published in Microbiology Spectrum by researchers from the Chinese Academy of Science’s Institute of Zoology revealed that treating mice with a probiotic resulted in reduced alcohol absorption, prolonged alcohol tolerance, and shortened recovery time following alcohol exposure. The researchers highlighted that if the probiotic demonstrates similar benefits in humans, it could offer a new avenue for reducing alcohol-induced health problems and liver damage.
Meng Dong, Ph.D., one of the study’s authors, emphasized that genetically-engineered probiotics could potentially revolutionize the treatment of liver diseases beyond alcohol-related conditions.
Mechanism of Action
The human body primarily utilizes an enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) to metabolize alcohol. Certain variants of this enzyme, such as ADH1B, found predominantly in East Asian and Polynesian populations, are more efficient in breaking down alcohol. Previous studies have shown that viral vectors engineered to express ADH1B can accelerate alcohol metabolism in mice, but the safety of this approach in humans remains uncertain.
Motivated by these findings, Dong and her team explored a safer delivery method using the probiotic Lactococcus lactis. By introducing the gene for human ADH1B into L. lactis, the researchers developed a probiotic that secreted the enzyme. Encapsulation of the probiotic ensured its survival against stomach acid, enabling successful testing on mice exposed to varying alcohol levels.
Results
Untreated mice exhibited signs of intoxication within 20 minutes of alcohol exposure, such as difficulty turning over when placed on their backs. In contrast, mice treated with the probiotic expressing human ADH1B showed improved motor function, with some able to turn over even an hour post-exposure.
Further analysis revealed that blood alcohol levels in the probiotic-treated group began to decline 2 hours after exposure, while levels in the control group continued to rise. Additionally, treated mice displayed lower levels of lipids and triglycerides in their livers, suggesting potential alleviation of alcohol-related liver damage.
Future Implications
The researchers are now focusing on investigating whether the therapeutic effects of the modified probiotic extend to humans. Dong expressed enthusiasm about the prospects of using recombinant probiotics to address acute alcohol-induced liver and intestinal damage.
About the Study
This groundbreaking research was conducted by Joanna Urban and her team at the American Society of Microbiology. The study’s findings will be featured in an upcoming issue of Microbiology Spectrum.
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