The gut microbiome has an impact on the spine.

The microbiome, which refers to the diversity and balance of microorganisms in the gut, is crucial for overall health and can contribute to various organ diseases. An international team of researchers has found that a high abundance of certain gut bacteria is closely linked to the presence of a common spinal condition in individuals.

2024-10-15 07:29:51https://naked-science.ru/article/medicine/mikrobiom-pozvonochnik

Since the human body is a complex system where everything is interconnected, the condition of a particular organ often relies on unexpected factors. Recent research has shown that insufficient sleep can increase the risk of diabetes, while loneliness accelerates aging more than excess weight and smoking.

Experts from several universities in the USA, Finland, China, and the UK have discovered a specific feature of the gut microbiome in individuals with degenerative spondylolisthesis of the lumbosacral spine — an acquired vertebral displacement that causes pain and may lead to surgical intervention or disability. The article describing this pattern was published in the scientific journal JOR Spine.

The study involved 33 individuals over the age of 50, 21 of whom had degenerative spondylolisthesis of the lumbosacral spine. Blood, stool, and saliva samples were collected from all participants, as well as samples of intervertebral discs post-surgery.

Patients with spondylolisthesis were found to have three times more bacteria that cause inflammation compared to individuals without the condition. Previously, medical professionals speculated that the gut microbiome could stimulate systemic inflammation and affect metabolism, subsequently leading to back diseases; however, this hypothesis has now been confirmed.

“When we compared the two patient groups by age, gender, weight, pain syndrome, diet, posture, and other criteria affecting spinal health, we found no differences. The only significant distinction was in the gut microbiome. A high quantity of certain very important intestinal bacteria was linked to degenerative spondylolisthesis of the lower back.”

According to the study's authors, the results obtained will facilitate the development of new treatment methods for degenerative spondylolisthesis of the lumbosacral region. They believe that the focus should be on the gut, specifically on restoring a normal microbiome.