The Healing Power of Oral Bacteria: Solving the Smoking Mystery in Gut Disorders
Why does smoking help with Ulcerative Colitis, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease? Research now provides answers, offering hope for new treatment options. Photo: Goncalo Costa
A Japanese research team has unravelled the "smoker's trick" in the gut. While smoking is undeniably harmful to health, it had positive side effects for a specific group. We are talking about Ulcerative Colitis (UC), a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
For decades, scientists were puzzled as to why smoking seemed to alleviate symptoms for those affected. However, the opposite was true for Crohn's Disease (CD), another IBD, where smoking exacerbated the symptoms.
This contradiction raised many questions. The Japanese researchers, publishing their findings in the journal Gut, now provide the first answers and point to avenues for smoke-free therapy for Ulcerative Colitis.
Their explanation: compounds created during smoking alter the gut. This allows specific bacteria to colonize the area, which apparently mitigates Ulcerative Colitis.
Oral Bacteria Mitigate Ulcerative Colitis
Specifically, smoking generates compounds like hydroquinone. This substance enables oral bacteria such as Streptococcus mitis to colonize the gut. These oral bacteria are constantly swallowed but are usually excreted. The gatekeeper in the gut's mucus layer prevents them from entering.
With hydroquinone, these bacteria get on the guest list and can settle. The immune system reacts, and Ulcerative Colitis becomes milder.
Less inflammation, better quality of life: If the "smoker's trick" can be replicated using non-toxic alternatives, it could be a crucial help for those affected. Photo: Freepik
The research team tested this using mice in the lab. They administered hydroquinone, and the compound indeed acted as a "door opener" in the gut. Bacteria like Streptococcus mitis were able to colonize the colon.
As with smoking, inflammation in the UC mice became weaker, while in the CD mice, it became stronger. The researchers were able to measure this using symptoms, samples, and immune values.
Smoke-Free Therapies for Ulcerative Colitis
The results from the mouse experiments open the door for smoke-free therapeutic approaches. However, human studies are not yet available. Research is continuing in various directions.
A probiotic containing specific bacteria like Streptococcus mitis could be combined with hydroquinone to recreate the "smoker's trick." However, hydroquinone is considered risky, potentially toxic, and carcinogenic.
The goal of the research is therefore to find safer substances that have the same effect. These could then be combined with the bacteria to create a therapeutic agent.
Instead of recreating the smoking process, another therapeutic approach focuses on the next step. The bacteria release specific molecules in the gut. These help to mitigate UC inflammation.
These molecules could be administered directly to dampen the immune response. Research on this is still theoretical. Initial work is now underway to identify the exact molecules.
Furthermore, researchers are investigating whether the mucus layer in the gut can be altered through diet or medication so that the beneficial bacteria can attach.
Many studies already exist on gut-promoting nutrition, but not in the context of such a specific "door opener" as is necessary in this case.
There is certainly justified hope that future therapies will not only dampen inflammation but can also selectively alter the microbiome. This would result in a more precise and potentially better-tolerated treatment.
Foods and Other Tips for a Healthy Gut
The Japanese study highlights that there are no "one size fits all" solutions for chronic inflammatory bowel diseases. What helps with Ulcerative Colitis is harmful with Crohn's Disease. This also means that not every probiotic is simply useful for everything, and they should be used specifically.
Nevertheless, there are some tips that are suitable for the general public. On the one hand, a healthy gut flora can be promoted through diet.
Classics include fibres such as oats, barley, lentils, beans, chickpeas, carrots, chicory, leeks, onions, or garlic. Fruits like apples, bananas, or berries, as well as flaxseed, psyllium husks, or chia seeds, are also good food sources to strengthen the intestinal mucosa.
Insoluble fibres like whole-grain products or nuts also help to keep the gut moving. Fluid also promotes this process and supports the mucus layer. It is therefore beneficial to drink enough water for gut health. Fermented products such as yoghurt, sauerkraut, kefir, or kimchi are also beneficial for the gut flora.
In addition to diet, there are also lifestyle factors. It is clear that smoking is harmful to health despite the UC "trick." Too much sugar and processed foods promote "bad" bacteria. Excessive alcohol consumption damages the intestinal mucosa.
Furthermore, antibiotics can massively and permanently disrupt the gut flora balance. Their use should, also because of resistance, therefore be very selective.
Conversely, sufficient exercise and regular, restorative sleep are beneficial for the gut. Stress reduction in the form of meditation or mindfulness also helps the gut.
Sources
RIKEN: Mouth to gut bacteria migration explains why smoking is good for inflamed bowels
National Institutes of Health (USA): Probiotics: What You Need To Know
CDC (USA): Human Microbiome and Health
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