I've previously discussed how gut bacteria can effect the metabolism as well as the immune system; but could gut bacteria be related to malnutrition? Kwashiorkor is a form of deadly malnutrition that occurs when there is a lack of protein in the diet. However, the mystery is that children who suffer from kwashiorkor can can still get this disease despite having the exact same diet as children who remain unaffected.
A study investigating this mystery researched 300 pairs of twins (both monozogtic and dizygotic) from Malawi, a country in southern Africa where kwashiorkor is fairly common. The researchers continued to study the 300 pairs of twins through the first three years of life. It was observed that although none of the twins were malnourished to begin with, often times one twin out of the pair would develop kwashiorkor and the other would remain healthy. Researchers studied the feces of the infected children before and after a therapeutic food intervention in order to see what sort of microbes the children had in their gut. It was discovered that children who suffered from kwashiorkor had abnormal communities of microbes which only improved temporarily with treatment (Smith, et al, 2013).
Researchers then transplanted gut bacteria from three pairs of twins into special mice who completely lacked a microbe community due to being raised in a sterile environment. After receiving a diet similar to that of what children have in Malawi, mice who received the microbes from the ill children started loosing weight. This suggests that perhaps gut bacteria play an important role in malnutrition, and that malnutrition could potentially be treated with strains of probiotics in the future. Nevertheless, questions still remain about how these children are being cared for at home and why generally one out of each pair become malnourished (Smith, et al, 2013).
Reference
Smith, M. I., Knight, R., Concannon, P., Rich, S. S., Kau, A. L., Cheng, J., et al. (2013). Gut Microbiomes of Malawian Twin Pairs Discordant for Kwashiorkor. Science, 339(6119), 548-554.
That is an incredible study! It really is intriguing why one twin seems to be afflicted. Have the researchers investigated a possible maternal/paternal genetic link with kwashiorkor, which could help explain part of the story? What did they describe as an “abnormal” microbe community? Very interesting!
ReplyDeleteAccording to the study, researchers did not find a significant difference in the number of afflicted monozygote and dizygotic twins. However, they also did not further explain any genetic factors in relation to kwashiorkor.
ReplyDeleteThe afflicted twin had an underdeveloped microbiome in comparison to their healthy twin. Microbiomes develop as we grow older, and the twins that became affected with kwashiorkor did not show signs of a mature microbiome expected at that age (3 years). Furthermore, the lack of a mature micrbobiome is related to an inability to digest essential amino acids from foods; perhaps leading to malnutrition.