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Taking the amino acid L-tryptophan protects against pathogens that affect the digestive tract. This includes a special subgroup of the bacterium Escherichia coli, which can cause bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea and sometimes even life-threatening complications.
A new study by researchers at Cornell University has shown that activation of a specific messenger receptor in the intestinal epithelium by microbial metabolites in the intestine formed from the essential amino acid L-tryptophan protects against Citrobacter rodentium, which served as a model for EHEC infection . The corresponding study results are published in the scientific journal “Nature”.
What are EHEC bacteria?
The so-called EHEC bacteria are transmitted primarily through the consumption of contaminated foods such as raw or undercooked meat, raw dairy products and contaminated vegetables. However, they can also be transmitted through direct contact with infected animals or people.
Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) serotype O157:H7 is a food-borne pathogen that produces toxins that can cause severe gastroenteritis, enterocolitis, bloody diarrhea and even acute kidney failure, the researchers explain.
Colonization resistance achievable?
Intestinal microorganisms can contribute to so-called colonization resistance. To do this, they displace various pathogens or strengthen the host’s defenses through the intestinal barrier and the immune cells of the intestine, the team explains. The problem, however, is that the phenomenon is still poorly understood.
In a mouse model, the researchers have now found that activation of the neurotransmitter receptor dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) in the inner intestinal surface protects against Citrobacter rodentium through microbial intestinal metabolites that are formed when supplementation with the essential amino acid L-tryptophan. Citrobacter rodentium is used by experts as a model for EHEC infection in mice.
In addition, the team discovered that activation of DRD2 by these tryptophan-derived metabolites reduced the expression of an actin regulatory protein in the host that is involved in the binding of C. rodentium and EHEC to the intestinal epithelium via the formation of actin pedestals.
According to the experts, the results show a so-called non-canonical colonization resistance pathway against AE pathogens, which plays an unconventional role for DRD2 outside the nervous system in controlling actin cytoskeletal organization in the intestinal epithelium.
Better gut health and treatment of gastrointestinal infections
The new findings could be used to derive prophylactic and therapeutic approaches that combat DRD2 with the help of pharmacological and nutritional interventions and thus improve intestinal health. The researchers hope that such approaches could also be used to effectively treat gastrointestinal infections. (as)