New research suggests that the effects of taurine may be a potential treatmentbacterial infectionscould offer. This nutrient typically helps the body digest fats and oils. Scientists have found that this helps the gut fight off previous infections and kill invading bacteria like Klebsiella pneumoniae. The result, published by scientists from five institutes, could support the search for alternatives to antibiotics.
Activate natural defenses through the effects of taurine
Little is known about how the gut microbiome provides protection. Scientists study gut bacteria with the goal of finding or improving natural treatments to replace antibiotics. The latter damage the intestinal flora and become less effective when bacteria develop drug resistance. The researchers identified a class of bacteria involved in fighting these infections. Further analyzes led to the conclusion that the effect of taurine is responsible for the activity of this type of bacteria. Taurine helps the body digest fats and oils and is naturally found in bile acids in the intestines. The toxic gas hydrogen sulfide is a byproduct of taurine. Scientists believe that low levels of taurine allow pathogens to colonize the gut, but high levels produce enough hydrogen sulfide to prevent colonization.
During the study, researchers found that a single mild infection was enough to prime the microbiota for a subsequent infection. The liver and gallbladder, which synthesize and store bile acids with taurine, can develop long-term protection against infection.This studyrevealed that taurine also primed the microbiota to prevent infection. Together, this work demonstrates a process by which the host, triggered by infection, can utilize taurine as a nutrient. This nourishes the microbiota and promotes its resistance to subsequent infections.
