They developed a genetically modified probiotic which may help reduce alcohol damage to the liver. Probiotics are live micro-organisms, bacteria or yeasts, having beneficial effects on health when consumed in the right amounts. Probiotics are often considered “good bacteria” because they help maintain a healthy balance of intestinal florathe population of microorganisms that naturally live in our digestive tract.
A modified probiotic
In this studythe researchers modified the enzyme ADH1B, an enzyme that accelerates the breakdown of alcohol in the body. By genetically modifying this enzyme, they were able to decrease the harmful effects of alcohol in mice. The researchers then encapsulated the probiotic so that it would not be destroyed by stomach acid and tested it on three groups of five mice. Each group received a different level of alcohol intake. The group that had not received the probiotic showed signs of intoxication only 20 min following absorption : The mice were lying on their backs, unable to get back on their feet.
In the group that received the probiotic ADH1B, half of the mice managed to turn around an hour later uptake. The results therefore show that the treatment reduces alcohol absorption, prolongs alcohol tolerance and shortens the recovery time of animals following alcohol exposure. Several tests were carried out: it was observed that two hours following the exposure, the alcohol level of the control group continued to increase, while that of the mice treated with the probiotic had started to decrease. Additionally, the researchers found that the mice given the probiotic had lower liver lipid and triglyceride levels. This therefore suggests that the probiotic might lessen the damage caused by alcohol on the liver.
The results of this study are promising, but it remains to be seen whether the probiotic will work the same way in humans. The researchers are optimistic that the modified probiotic might reduce alcohol-related liver problemsin addition to those linked to a drunken evening.
