Oct. 18, 2010 An enzyme that keeps intestinal bacteria out of
the bloodstream may also play an important role in maintaining
the normal microbial population of the gastrointestinal system.
Since the loss of beneficial bacteria that usually results from
antibiotic therapy can sometimes lead to serious health
problems, a treatment that maintains microbial levels could have
significant benefits. "Our mouse studies confirmed that giving
this enzyme by mouth keeps the gut healthy, in terms of the
microbes that usually live there," says Richard Hodin, MD, of
the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Department of Surgery,
senior author of the report in the November issue of the journal
Gut. "This could prevent infection with dangerous bacteria like
Salmonella and C. difficile, which can occur when the normal
bacterial population becomes depleted, and may lead to
development of a supplement to maintain intestinal health
whenever someone takes an antibiotic." Virtually all higher
animals maintain a population of micro