Research - The Latest News from CCFA

[Mazen]

http://www.ccfa.org/research/thirdquarter07?msource=HQ08DMENWS10&tr=y&auid=3066292

Here is an excerpt "Let's look at this emerging picture from several viewpoints:

Bacteria: Normally, the colon and the lower portion of the small intestine are "colonized" by a complex variety of bacteria, viruses, and fungi—collectively called the microbiota. Most of these are harmless, but occasionally, a bacterium can undergo a change and become virulent. Researchers are beginning to understand precisely how a common bug like E. coli can turn aggressive, and how it manages to attach itself to and invade the cells lining the small intestine where it can trigger Crohn's disease in genetically susceptible people.


Immune Dysfunction: Once virulent bacteria invade the intestinal cells, the immune system typically kicks in and mounts an attack to clear them. That's what happens if you're healthy. But if you're genetically predisposed to Crohn's disease, your immune system may get its signals crossed and overreact, leading to uncontrolled inflammation, or conversely, fail to kill the invader, leading to persistent infection.
As we've recently come to understand it, the immune dysfunction seen in Crohn's disease may manifest itself as:

1. a decrease in a person's ability to kill bacteria;
2. an overactive T cell response to bacteria and bacterial antigens;
3. an inability to tolerate the presence of commonly tolerated bacteria; or
3. changes in the intestinal cells that make it easier for bacteria to attach to them.

Genetics: Interestingly, the most recent gene to be implicated in Crohn's disease is ATG16L1, which codes for a protein involved in a process known as autophagy. The word "autophagy" literally means "eating oneself." In biology, it can be understood as the digestion within a cell of materials produced by that cell or from a bacterium engulfed by the cell. In people who have an abnormal variant of ATG16L1, the immune cells responsible for killing bacteria may not be up to the job, and bacteria may resist being destroyed."


It seems they are getting closer to something, and it seems very related to Bacteria in the Gut. So maybe the SCD and probiotics logic makes sense more and more now. Don't know why they don't do more clinical studies on diet and supplements, except on focusing only on drugs........

 

[Kev]

Yeah, some pretty encouraging news there. Tho I for one ain't too keen on the drug natalizumab. sort of like they're giving u a choice of pain in gut or a bullet in da brain

 

[AbstractDonut]

Its interesting they suggest that different things could cause the disease. Such that its the bacteria or the inflammation. Control either and maybe you can control the disease. Then again if you just control the inflammation wouldn't that cause you to have problems fighting off other infections. And if you controlled the bacteria wouldn't that cause you to have problems digesting stuff.

Obviously we can't go back and change our genes. It definitely seems that the bacteria, genes, and an immune system response are all linked now.

 

[D Bergy]

The inflammation in this case is unproductive. Inflammation is only one part of the immune response. You see this in arthritis a lot, where the inflammation results in the destruction of the joint. It is better to get rid of the cause of the inflammation, but if all you can do is dampen the inflammation that will help. The immune response still goes on without the element of inflammation.

I am fairly well convinced that the improper immune response is at the root of this disease. The improper immune response results in bacteria or fungi or both to exist in the intestinal tract that would have been removed by a proper immune response.

Once the bacteria and such reach a certain threshold, a secondary immune response kicks in and attempts to get rid of the now out of control bacteria/fungi causing some destruction of the intestinal tract. The bacteria/fungi also have the effect of making the intestinal tract more permeable, allowing any number of substance to leak into the blood stream creating allergic responses such as arthritis, psoriasis, boils, asthma, and who knows what else. Related diseases resulting from this are in my opinion, Hidradenitis Suppurativa, Celiacs, both of which are in my immediate family.

I am fairly sure I have eliminated the bad bacteria and most of the fungi in my intestinal tract using a proven sanitizing method. It has not been used internally in any controlled studies, and that is the risky part. This part does not matter, but what is interesting is that I am presently not using anything to control my Crohn's and I do not need it yet. This may change with time, but it lends some credibility to the bacteria or fungi causing the immune response. Which ones cause it, is anybodies guess, and may even be more than one.

What is still not proven is why the immune response is screwy to begin with?
Likely genetic, but I have not ruled out a pathogen that may mess with the immune response.

The above is what I have derived from others and experience. I do not present this as a fact, but just what I think is most likely at this point in time.

Dan Bergman

 

[Kev]

Yeah Dan, I think you've got a good handle on this, better in fact than most, as you've put your money where your mouth is.. (and it seems to be paying off for you).
As for the trigger, what are your thoughts on candida (sp?). Or is that too simple??

 

[AbstractDonut]

Hmmm, I was thinking that it was a genetic disorder and that this TBET is deficient and once a certain type of bacteria uses that deficiency we have the crohn's. The inflammation would be normal. Its the fact that this TBET is not normal allowing the bacteria into a place it would not normally be.

I guess I'm saying it would make more sense that way from a disease passed from relatives. Though I think you are right that if you can control whatever bacteria this is, you would probably control the disease. I just also think strengthening this TBET would help.

 

[D Bergy]

I am certainly leaning more toward the genetic disorder more than anything else. I do not think the genetic disorder means you will get Crohn's, but is more like you say that if the conditions are correct, then it will be expressed as Crohn's.

I am convinced enough of this cause to try to correct it by using low dose naltrexone. I also think the bacterial condition normally takes a while to be corrected, and that is why LDN takes a while to work in Crohn's. It balances the immune system, but the immune system has its work cut out for it now since years worth of imbalance has lead to a unhealthy bacterial and fungus overgrowth.

In my family, the genetic disorder has expressed itself as Hidradenitis Suppurativa in my youngest son, and Celiacs in my daughter, Crohn's in myself. Different expressions of the same disorder seems to be the most likely explanation. The odds of them being unrelated have to be extremely unlikely. Especially since a few people have two or all three of these diseases at the same time.

From what I have read, Candida, or fungus, causes weaknesses in the mucosa, which then would allow leaky gut. I think this condition is what causes my daughters reoccurring sinus infections. I believe I had an overgrowth due to the white slimy tongue I had for so many years. It is now reduced because of the constant use of supplements, foods that inhibit growth, and reduced sugar. It is never gone completely and I think that is OK as long as it is kept to normal levels. I think that fungus is a secondary problem that can cause other symptoms and even other disease, but mucosa weakness is likely how it directly affects Crohn's. This is what I think causes my hay fever also, and probably asthma and other such allergies in others. Basically anything weakening the mucosa is going to lead to other problems with bacteria and leaking foreign matter into the bloodstream.

It may be why some medications that suppress immune function can bring on an allergy. You have increased the ability for fungus to thrive by taking away what little defense you had against it. I am curious if you treated fungus while using an immune suppressant if the allergic reaction would be cleared in some people. I am really speculating on this one, but it would be an interesting experiment.

I have no idea what bacteria or bacterias specifically trigger the disease. That is why I looked hard for something that would effectively kill all bacteria. Kill them all and see what happens. Supposedly, I have killed all bacteria that is of a lower Ph than normal gut bacteria. I have no way of knowing if that is true, but it seems to have killed enough to bring me to normal without creating any new problems. the effects in between, seem to support this, such as the passing of visible parasites. That really both disgusted and surprised me. I thought parasites were the stuff of third world countries. I was completely wrong in that assumption.

I firmly believe that some elements of my hypothesis are wrong. You can only get so much from individual experiments and inductive and/or deductive reasoning. But, it seems to be close enough to get the desired results. There really needs to be much more solid research to nail every thing down. But I am not that patient.

Best Regards

Dan Bergman

 

[Dekar]

Take my situation. I am the first one with Crohn's in my family, and the only one with intestinal problems out of my entire family tree on both sides. My Crohn's is minor though. So, there has to be some other factor that either a) weakens the immune system non-genetically or b) doesnt weaken it but prevents it or makes its harder for my immune system to do its job.

 

[D Bergy]

I do not have anyone in my family that has Crohn's either. Not parents, grand parents, cousins etc. I am the lucky one. It is a mystery to me why I am the only one.

In retrospect I think I have had it since I was a child. That would explain the cramps and pain that happened a couple of times that would disable me. Very rare occurrences.

Dan Bergman

 

[Kev]

Not to make light of the subject, and certainly not to cast aspersions (sp?) but being adopted actually turns out to be an advantage for me given my present circumstances. I know for a fact who my biological parents AREN'T. Everyone else has to take someones word on it.. (giving a whole new meaning to Mums the word). I wonder if the researchers, looking into the genetic connection, bothered to check the DNA of the stated parents of the subjects under investigation? hospital mixups (they reportedly do occur) or other mis-adventure may have skewed their results... Just a thought, and my apologies to anyone taking offense

 

[AbstractDonut]

Ha Kev that made me think of House MD, thats a good show.