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Researchers prove it is possible to modify the composition of intestinal flora

Researchers from the Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR) in Barcelona have proven that it is possible to introduce new species into intestinal flora simply by ingesting them and postulates that it is not necessary to previously remove part of the existing flora using antibiotics, as previously thought.

STAFF | AUGUST 27TH, 2010

Example of inflammatory bowel disease

A study conducted by scientists at the Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR) in Barcelona and published in the journal Genome Research demonstrates for the first time that the composition of the intestinal flora can be modified. It also proves that it is possible to introduce new species in the intestinal flora from a donor.

The study provides one more interesting finding: contrary to common belief, the introduction of new species does not require the previous elimination of existing bacteria by antibiotics. "This is an advantage if the transplant is used as a treatment to intervene at the level of the intestinal flora since the administration of antibiotics produces significant long-term effects on the rest of the flora that are not easily reversed,” says Dr. Chaysavanh Manichanh, VHIR researcher and head author of the study. The study also found that the administration of these pre-transplantation antibiotics does not facilitate an improved adaptation of foreign flora.

The most surprising finding of the study, according to Dr. Manichanh, “is that not only can flora from a donor can be transplanted successfully into a receiver, but the changes that are generated in the intestinal flora last for three months after the transplant.”

A key study for the design of new treatments

The future implications of this discovery for human health will be of great importance. The ability to develop treatments that can be modified in the composition of the flora would represent a before and after in those diseases where there is scientific evidence that intestinal flora plays a role.
The discovery could be key to designing new treatments for inflammatory bowel disease
Being able to restore lost flora or incorporate new flora necessary to maintain the delicate balance between the internal and external intestinal conditions could be key to designing new treatments for inflammatory bowel disease. “The attempts made so far by the use of antibiotics, prebiotics or probiotics have failed to produce persistent effects in the medium to long term, but the results of this study open a new horizon,” said Dr. Manichanh. “The transplantation of intestinal flora and bacteriological therapy could be helpful in future treatments.”

This study received the collaboration of researchers from the University Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona and the University of Colorado as well as support from Spain’s Ministry of Science and Innovation, the U.S. National Institute of Health (NIH) and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

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