The mighty power of gut microbes
Diet-related health issues are manifesting themselves even in the youth of Europe. These include diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease. One possible way to remedy this problem is to involve manipulation of gut flora in potential treatment regimes. Experts from interdisciplinary fields worked with the food industry so Tornado could present a thorough assessment of underlying mechanisms attached to dietary products compared to more traditional approaches. Tornado researchers bolstered their research data by using existing relevant European groups of people belonging to three major age groups and including a twin and a birth cohort. A comprehensive databank containing details of microbial composition, serum metabolome, clinical data and dietary records was put together using the trial groups. Tornado also established a human tissue repository bank to investigate postnatal gut microbiota cross-talk. The development of oral tolerance or systemic lack of immune response against food and commensal bacteria, a feature of intestinal immunity, was investigated. Using laser-capture microscopy of sections of human gut tissue, a large group of genes thought to be involved in immunity, metabolism and cell fate are being studied. Lactobacillus features highly in the research agenda and the Tornado team are assessing if the probiotic has beneficial long-term effects on allergic disease occurrence by influencing the composition of gut flora. There is evidence that there is a strong link between coeliac disease and gut microbiota, and project scientists have undertaken a comprehensive study of the composition of the microbiome in children with the condition. Another research target was to determine the impact of diet, particularly high-meat and low-fibre, on intestinal flora and obesity markers in a group of healthy adults. Gut microbiota can have an effect on the regulation of target genes and signalling pathways. To investigate this important phenomenon, the scientists have developed several microbe-free mouse models that are deficient in key receptors and genes. Results from the Tornado project include evidence that gram negative bacteria can prompt an increase in insulin resistance. Furthermore, different dairy components were shown to have an impact on gut microbiota, glucose tolerance and overall white adipose tissue in mice obese due to diet. It is also highly likely that the study will show that a single bacterial species can have significant effects on intestinal peripheral (T cell) immune responses. Tornado research will help to implement beneficial changes in the health status of the population as a whole. By tackling the health problems ascribed to incorrect diet by educating the public, starting at school level, the social and financial costs of the disease burden can be significantly reduced. The work also promises to deliver first-class knowledge to substantiate claims of health products such as probiotics. Overall, Tornado will be able to develop a platform to accelerate personalised diets for target groups such as the elderly.
