HomeLifestyleHealth & FitnessCaffeine: Is It Good Or Bad For Your Gut Health?

Caffeine: Is It Good Or Bad For Your Gut Health?

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In the complex ecosystem of the gut, a diverse community of microorganisms plays a crucial role in shaping human health and disease. However, certain types of microbes have been implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), although the exact mechanisms by which they trigger immune dysregulation and disease progression remain shrouded in mystery.

Brigham scientists have conducted a study on the proliferation of specific cell types in the gut and their findings suggest that xanthine, a compound present in coffee, tea, and chocolate, might contribute to Th17 differentiation.

New insights into gut health could provide valuable assistance to investigators seeking a deeper understanding of the development of conditions like inflammatory bowel disease.

The new study delves into the mechanisms underlying the generation of Th17 cells, an important subset of cells in the intestine. The study reveals some of the previously unrecognized molecular components and events that contribute to cell differentiation in the gut. Among these components is a purine metabolite called xanthine, which is abundant in caffeinated foods such as coffee, tea, and chocolate.

The findings of this study have been published in the scientific journal Immunity.

Co-lead author Jinzhi Duan, Ph.D., from the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Endoscopy in the Department of Medicine at BWH, stated that while one of the concepts in their field suggests that microbes are necessary for Th17 cell differentiation, their study proposes that there could be some exceptions. Through their research on the mechanisms of Th17 cell generation in the gut, they discovered unexpected outcomes that could aid in comprehending the development of diseases like IBD.

During the process of elucidating the stages involved in Th17 cell differentiation, the researchers serendipitously identified a function for xanthine within the gut.

Senior author Richard Blumberg, MD, from the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Endoscopy in the Department of Medicine, stated that in research, there are times when unexpected discoveries occur. These findings may not have been initially sought, but they present interesting opportunities for further inquiry. While it’s too early to determine if the quantity of xanthine in a cup of coffee has beneficial or detrimental effects on a person’s gut, it provides intriguing leads to pursue as they seek ways to generate a protective response and strengthen the intestinal barrier.

In the intestine, Interleukin-17-producing T helper (Th17) cells are believed to have a significant function. These cells aid in constructing a defensive barrier in the gut, and when a bacterial or fungal infection arises, they may produce signals that induce the body to generate more Th17 cells. However, Th17 cells have also been linked to several diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, and IBD.

Co-lead author Juan Matute, MD, Duan, Blumberg, and their team utilized multiple mouse models to examine the molecular processes that result in the formation of Th17 cells. To their surprise, they discovered that Th17 cells could replicate in mice that were germ-free or had been administered antibiotics that eliminated bacteria. The group identified that endoplasmic reticulum stress in intestinal epithelial cells prompted Th17 cell differentiation through purine metabolites, including xanthine, even in mice without microbiota and genetic signatures that implied cells with protective properties.

The authors acknowledge that their study solely concentrated on cells in the intestine, and there’s a possibility that communication between gut cells and other organs, like the skin and lungs, could significantly affect outcomes. Additionally, their research does not establish what triggers Th17 cells to turn pathogenic and contribute to diseases. They emphasize the requirement for further investigation, including studies that concentrate on Th17 cells linked to human IBD.

“While we don’t yet know what’s causing pathogenesis, the tools we have developed here may take us a step closer to understanding what causes disease and what could help resolve or prevent it,” adds Blumberg.

Image Credit: Getty

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