Research has made it evident that an antibiotic combination affected the gut bacteria in mice to the extent that it prolonged the growth and development of Alzheimer’s, though only in males.
The study, happened at The University of Chicago, IL, showed how long-term antibiotic use could lower inflammation and stunt the growth of amyloid plaques in male mice.
Amyloid plagues are a quality particular to Alzheimer’s disease. They develop when a specific protein within the neurons of the brain accumulates and cluster together. These amyloid plaques disturb brain cell purpose and causes to the symptoms of Alzheimer’s. This team was conducted by Professor Sangram S. Sisodia, who is also the director of the Center for Molecular Neurobiology, University of Chicago.
The team already knew that individuals with Alzheimer displayed changes in their gut bacteria, and they had conducted studies before to display how gut bacteria could possible impact Alzheimer’s like symptoms in rodents. This research discovered that alterations to the micro biome restricted the development of amyloid plaques in male mice, however not in females.
Sisodia explains, “While compelling, our issued analysis on the position of the gut micro biome on amyloid plaque emergence were restricted to a single strain of mice”
Researching antibiotics and Alzheimer’s
Prof. Sisodia and colleagues carried out a new investigation on a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease, which scientists name as APPPS1-21. They utilized an antibiotic mixture to see how it impacted the emergence of amyloid plaques and the actuation of microglia in the rodent’s brains. Microglias are immune cells which have the ability to cause inflammation in the brain when actuated. Prof. Sisodia and his group got to know that long-term antibiotic use impacted the micro biome of male and female mice distinctly.
The researchers found out that the antibiotics lowered the growth of amyloid plaques and changed microglia into a type that aids in keeping the brain healthy – but just in male mice. When observed in females, the gut micro biome changes impact the immune system, thus raised the manufacture of factors that could uplift microglia activation. This was not evident in male mice.
The findings are published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine. To verify their results, the analysts transplanted fecal material from APPPS1-21 male mice which has not been given the antibiotics into those that had received the long-term antibiotic medication.
The team discovered that this redeveloped the gut micro biome, which as a fact, resulted in a raised amyloid plaque development and actuation of microglia.
Alzheimer’s indications and symptoms
Alzheimer’s disease isn’t the usual part of aging, although researchers record that as age increases, it is possible to be prone to this disease as it is a risk factor.
There is a chance that genetics can have a part in it too. Some studies also indicate that Alzheimer’s can have links to various other health and lifestyle factors, for example, obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.
Explaining the results to human patients
According to the current researches carried out, there is not cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but there are some medications to cater to the individuals for taking care of the symptoms and others that stunt the development of the disease. Nevertheless, research is still continuing to look for a cure or medication that completely stops the progression of the disease.
This new research is reassuring, but the scientists still have to further study and investigate to unfold what advantage, if any, it can communicate to humans.