MS and the gut

Researchers are making some intriguing discoveries about the gut of patients with multiple sclerosis.

One new study has identified both pro- and anti-inflammatory epigenetic factors in the intestinal microbiome of patients with MS that may contribute to disease pathogenesis. The new findings was presented at the American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting.

There were no significant differences in dietary patterns between patients with MS and control patients. About 13% of the MS and 24% of the control groups had a history of vegetarian dieting, 52% of both groups had high milk consumption, and 67% of the MS and 48% of control groups had a high level of yogurt consumption.

The researchers found two organisms with anti-inflammatory properties that were lower in MS vs control patients and that increased with treatment.

There were differences in gut microbes associated with other autoimmune diseases. For example, patients with new-onset rheumatoid arthritis are enriched for Prevotella copri, and in inflammatory bowel disease, butyrate producers are depleted.