Intestinal bacteria can protect against stroke
Last reviewed: 23.11.2021
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The results of a new study of scientists from New York University indicate that a particular strain of spiraling Gram-negative Helicobacter pylori, which infects various areas of the stomach and duodenum, can protect a person from stroke and certain cancers.
The findings of the experts are based on a large-scale study, conducted with the participation of 10,000 people, whose health experts have monitored for twelve years. The results of the research were published on the ninth of January in the journal Gut.
According to scientists, those subjects who had a virulent strain of Helicobacter pylori had a 55% reduction in the risk of death from stroke compared to those who were not infected. In addition, the presence of this strain in the body also reduced the risk of mortality from lung cancer by 45%.
According to the leading authors of the study, the associate professor of the Department of Population Health and Environmental Medicine Dr. Yu. Chen and MD, Professor of the Department of Microbiology Martin Bleyzer, these are very unexpected results and at the same time simply amazing.
Previous studies, initiated by Dr. Blazer, confirmed the association of bacteria that cause gastric diseases and the development of gastric ulcers, which can subsequently lead to the development of cancer.
Current research of specialists shows that Helicobacter pylori bacteria can protect children from asthma due to the cagA gene, which encodes one of the most important proteins of Helicobacter pylori virulence.
"This discovery is very important," the researchers say. - We found that the bacterium Helicobacter pylori increases the risk of death only because of the development of stomach cancer. This type of cancer in the United States currently occurs infrequently. In addition, we managed to find out that Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with a reduction in the risk of lung cancer and stroke. "
The helical form of the Helicobacter pylori bacterium promotes its penetration into the mucous membrane of the stomach and duodenum, and also facilitates movement in the mucous gel that covers the gastric mucosa.
To better understand the impact of Helicobacter pylori infection on the human body, experts analyzed the data of 9,895 people who participated in national health and nutrition studies conducted between 1988 and 1994.
The scientists found no evidence of a direct link between Helicobacter pylori and the general mortality rates of the population. Participants in the study, among whom were both those who had this strain in the body, and those who did not have it, were equally at risk of premature death for various reasons. But, nevertheless, the infection of Helicobacter pylori, nevertheless, increased the risk of death from stomach cancer by forty percent.
"The most interesting thing was that there is a strong feedback from the stroke, which can be called protective," says Dr. Blazer. "It is possible that this protection is carried out by the same cells that protect against asthma, however, the findings must be confirmed during clinical trials."
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